Canterbury is a sweeping natural wonderland that offers visitors soaring mountains to climb, babbling rivers to swim, and calm bays to explore. This province on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island is also home to Christchurch, the island’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Whether you want a holiday infused with culture, a beach- and sun-filled getaway, or a chance to commune on a mountain peak, you can do it all in Canterbury.
Canterbury is a big place, so you will need to choose carefully when deciding how to fill your holiday time. The region is filled with unique and fascinating sights. Christchurch can offer you museums – like the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum– as well as botanical gardens, and plenty of great nightlife.
If you want some relaxing down time, head to Hanmer Springs, a small spa resort known for is natural hot springs and great hiking. When the wild starts calling your name, it’s time to set off for Arthur’s Pass National Park, one of the most popular natural parks on the island. Another option is Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. With a good plan in place, you can enjoy a totally new adventure every single day in this gorgeous and diverse region.
Canterbury Accommodation
The availability and quality of hotels in Canterbury and other accommodation options will vary depending on where you decide to bunk down. You’ll get your pick of luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels and resorts. Most of the towns in the region can put you up in reasonable style—for example, the hotels in Christchurch offer you everything from stately traditional to quaint B&B. Closer to the national parks, you’ll find cabins for rent and low-cost campgrounds as well as trendy eco-lodges. For a truly unique experience, give a farmstead a try and enjoy country living on a real, working farm.
Getting to Canterbury
Canterbury is such a large region that your transportation options will really depend on your schedule. Anyone who needs to cross an ocean to get to Canterbury will likely go through Christchurch International Airport. Canterbury also contains a few regional airports that support more local hops between major South Island towns. Once on the ground, you’ll find public buses and trains between major towns, though renting a car is a good idea if you have a lot of travel points on your map. If you get the chance, but a ticket on the TranzAlpine Train, which travels between Christchurch and Greymouth with many stops in-between. The breathtaking views can’t be beat.
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