24 Hours - Christchurch & Canterbury Extreme Itinerary

Phil Keoghan has been visiting Sydney and singing the praises of his home region, Christchurch and Canterbury - he knows firsthand there's no better place to stop and smell the flowers.

While he's passionate about stopping to smell the flowers, he's just as familiar with "extreme" itineraries - this is an idea of how to make the most of 24 hours in our "Amazing Place."

Suggested Time 24hours

The Kiwi host of US reality show "The Amazing Race" calls New Zealand home and returns here on average eight times a year.

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Time	Activity
0500	Early morning wake up call to start the day with a magical balloon ride with Balloon Adventures Up Up and Away.
0700	Float gently above Christchurch city and the Canterbury plains.
0800	You will still be busy hot air ballooning.
0900	Enjoy a traditional ballooning champagne breakfast after your balloon ride.
1000	Arrive back in the city, board a helicopter and depart to Hanmer Springs.
1100	Bungy jump from the historic Waiau bridge and make your way to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools.
1200	Soak in the Thermal pools and get wrapped in cocoa at The Spa.
1300	Helicopter flight to Kaikoura - Go diving for crayfish, eat your fresh catch on the beach with the seals.
1400	Helicopter back, past Christchurch and over Arthur's Pass National Park, following the train line of the TranzAlpine.
1500	Stop at Terrace Down High Country Resort for a race in a grass kart and afternoon tea.
1600	Fly to Mt Cook village and get your tramping gear: walk up to Mueller Hut.
1700	Practice your climbing skills on the way to Mueller Hut.
1800	Heli from the mountain down to the Tasman lake and land on 500 year old ice… Have some old whisky while on the iceberg … great chance to meditate!
1900	Return to Mt Cook Village where your Harley Davidson will be waiting.
2000	Ride your Harley to Lake Tekapo. Stop at the Salmon Farm on the way to collect some King Salmon for dinner.
2100	Drive to the top of Mt John and have dinner in the Astro Café and watch planets and star clusters from enormous telescopes.
2200	Helicopter back to the city and get ready to discover Christchurch's urban garden: SOL Square and Poplar Lanes or…. Go night skiing on one of Canterbury's 18 ski areas.
2300	In these rejuvenated laneways, over 15 venues offer unique atmospheres and unique beverages… try a sake tasting tray at Ishimoto, sample the best cocktails at Minx, have a vodka at the Russian Bar and sample traditional English style ale at the Twisted Hop.
2400	It will take more than one hour to do the above…
0100	If you are a bit peckish, have a gourmet burger at the famous Burgers & Beers.
0200	Time to head to Christchurch Casino. Try some of the games available, including three card poker.
0300	It's night time, the kiwis are awake. Visit the unique Riccarton Bush and spot some of the native residents.
0400	Get a tuktuk to Taylor's Mistake from where you will watch the sun rise. Or if the moon is full, surf the waves in the moonlight.
0500	Head back to Sumner and have a coffee on the beach.
0600	You have just experienced 24hours in Canterbury; you can now enjoy the comfort of a bed or have breakfast and get ready for round 2!

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