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Itinerary Suggestions

Christchurch continues to be the gateway to the wider Canterbury region and the spectacular experiences that visitor's can have within the South Island of New Zealand.

These suggested itineraries from Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism help you know where to start your New Zealand travels, and how to find the best things to see and do.

  • Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Hillary Centre

Mackenzie Aoraki/Mount Cook

The village of Aoraki/Mount Cook is a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky. Aoraki/Mount Cook itself is New Zealand's tallest mountain and the same peak that Sir Edmund Hillary "practised" on before his successful ascent of Everest. However, you don't have to be a mountaineer to enjoy what is on offer here.

Suggested Time 4 DAYS

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Coastal highlights

  • Coastal Discovery

    8 Days

    Coastal Discovery

    Follow the South Island's dramatic coastline by road or rail; the scenery will surprise you around every corner.

    From wild and rugged beaches to sheltered golden bays with endless views - have you ever experienced the tranquility of having the coastline all yourself? The time is now.

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Ski and Board

  • World Class Ski Mt Hutt

    2 Days

    World Class - Ski Mt Hutt

    Your South Island ski holiday starts in Christchurch, with 18 fantastic ski areas - the largest of which is Mt Hutt, known for its exceptional snow record and wide open terrain.

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  • Ski Craigieburn Valley

    3 Days

    Adventure & Adrenaline Ski Craigieburn Valley

    Craigieburn Valley Ski Area has achieved a worldwide reputation for its advanced skiing & snowboarding terrain. There are narrow chutes and wide open powder bowls, including the infamous 600m vertical descent of Middle Basin.

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  • Local Favourite Porters Ski Area

    2 Days

    Local Favourite Porters Ski Area

    The closest ski area to Christchurch City, Porters Heights lies just 89 kilometers from Christchurch International Airport, approximately an hour's drive. If you have never had a winter ski or snowboard experience, Porters is a great place to start, with facilities for all levels of skiing and riding.

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  • Family Friendly Ski Mt Cheeseman

    2 Days

    Family Friendly Ski Mt Cheeseman

    Mt Cheeseman is the mountain to head to for family fun, alpine adventures. This ski field has a sunny north-east basin with open rolling terrain and great beginner and intermediate slopes, making Mt Cheeseman perfect for learners and families. Excellent prices, user friendly facilities and a new day lodge make the ski area fun, accessible and enjoyable.

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  • Alpine Escape - Ski Hanmer

    3 Days

    Alpine Escape - Ski Hanmer

    Hanmer Springs is a friendly, fun and spacious ski area. Only 90mins from Christchurch, in its mountain surrounds it feels as though it could be another world away.

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  • Temple Basin

    2 Days

    The Great Outdoors - Ski Temple Basin

    Located on inbound backcountry, Temple Basin ski area offers an excellent variety of terrain spread over four basins - from gentle beginner slopes to the challenges of steep basins and a complex system of chutes.

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  • Methven – Ski and More!

    3 days

    Methven – Ski and More!

    Your South Island ski holiday starts in Christchurch, with 18 fantastic ski areas, ten of which are within two hours of Christchurch International Airport.

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Wine Capital

  • Top of the South Island Itinerary – Autumn Harvest

    9 Days

    Top of the South Island Itinerary – Autumn Harvest

    With long, warm days the South Island landscape transforms into a kaleidoscope of Autumn colours. It's the ideal time to sample some of New Zealand's finest vintages in the country's Great Wine Capital vineyards.

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  • Wine Capital Of The World

    2 days

    New Zealand's Wine Capital

    Christchurch and the South Island have been named the wine capital of New Zealand by the Global Wine Network - rated amongst the world's top wine-producing regions including Bordeaux, France, and Napa Valley, USA.

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  • North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail

    4 Days

    North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail

    Experience local seasonal flavours straight from the land, from roadside stalls, produce and farmers' markets to exquisite cafes, restaurants and award winning wineries…take your pick!

    Just outside of Christchurch, the Waipara Valley, New Zealand's fastest-growing wine area, is a "must-see" year-round.

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Adventure

  • Haka Tours 7 Day South Island “lick” Tour

    Haka Tours 7 Day South Island "lick" Tour

    Beginning and ending at Christchurch, we take a clockwise loop to include the beautiful alpine surroundings of Lake Tekapo and Wanaka - pure turquoise/blue waters surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains... pure New Zealand! On your final day travel from one coast to the other, over the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass on the Tranz Alpine Express - rated as one of the world's greatest railway journeys. 

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  • Amp Up the Adrenaline!

    4 - 5 days

    Amp up the Adrenaline!

    Fall from the heavens, set your heart racing on one of New Zealand's best racehorses - or take your pick from a range of pulsating activities.

     

     

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  • Kaikoura Wilderness Walks

    3 Days

    Kaikoura Wilderness Walks

    2.5 hours drive north Kaikoura Wilderness Walks, located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island 2 hours drive north of Christchurch, offers a luxury guided walk through the privately owned Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve. This protected area is renowned as a haven for a diverse array of rare and endangered native species of New Zealand flora and fauna.

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Luxury and Romance

Nature, wildlife and gardens

  • 1 Day

    Arthurs Pass Day Tour

    A trip to Arthur's Pass brings you right into the best alpine scenery, easily visited in a day trip from Christchurch. 'The Inside Story' tour company will help you experience the essence of Canterbury's high country, a diverse landscape of mountain ranges, wide braided rivers, deep gorges, native mountain beech forests, sub-alpine lakes and limestone formations.

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Journey By Region

  • Central South Island Magic

    2.5 Days

    Central South Island Magic

    Let your journey take you to the Central South Island - truly the heartland. This is a region of sweeping plains, rolling hills and unspoilt coastline. The Central South Island is diverse, authentic and full of unexpected discoveries.

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  • Discover Ashburton

    2 days

    Discover Ashburton

    Famed for its ski experiences, the Ashburton District has a diverse range of year-round activities: white-water rafting, skydiving, enjoying a country golf course, visiting gardens of blazing blooms, uncovering relics of aviation and transport history, hiking or mountain biking, nature trails or enjoying traditional rural hospitality.

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  • Hanmer Springs

    3 Days

    Hanmer Springs

    Hanmer Springs Village is New Zealand's premier alpine spa destination. Located in the South Island of New Zealand, Hanmer Springs is best known for the award-winning Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, where visitors enjoy pampering and relaxation amongst beautiful alpine vistas.

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  • Kaikoura Ultimate

    3 Days

    Kaikoura Ultimate

    In the waters off the Kaikoura peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds.  Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at different times of the year, but almost always the huge sperm whales.  The orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of pilot whales are occasional visitors. Dusky dolphins and fur seals are plentiful.

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  • Mackenzie/Aoraki/Mount Cook

    4 DAYS

    Mackenzie Aoraki/Mount Cook

    The village of Aoraki/Mount Cook is a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky. Aoraki/Mount Cook itself is New Zealand's tallest mountain and the same peak that Sir Edmund Hillary "practised" on before his successful ascent of Everest. However, you don't have to be a mountaineer to enjoy what is on offer here.

    > Read More

  • Selwyn & The Great Alpine Highway

    3 Days

    Selwyn & The Great Alpine Highway

    Stretching from the sea to the Southern Alps, and across the Canterbury Plains, spectacular Selwyn holds mountain vistas, a Lord of the Rings film location, and is home to New Zealand's highest altitude settlement, Arthur's Pass.

    > Read More

Coastal highlights

  • Coastal Discovery

    8 Days

    Coastal Discovery

    Follow the South Island's dramatic coastline by road or rail; the scenery will surprise you around every corner.

    From wild and rugged beaches to sheltered golden bays with endless views - have you ever experienced the tranquility of having the coastline all yourself? The time is now.

    > Read More

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