Canterbury

Canterbury is magnificent and varied – in landscape and in character. Christchurch, with its grace, energy and charm, plays base for explorations out to Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, inland to ski fields at Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Hutt, north to seaside Kaikoura and northwest to Hanmer Springs, down to Ashburton, Timaru… and in its hinterland, wineries, spas, gardens, beaches, peaks to climb, cycle paths – a myriad of Cantabrian patches.

A multitude of outdoor activity is offered in Canterbury, an example is The Pegasus Bay Walkway, accessed from Pines Beach, Woodend Beach or Waikuku. It takes you along the beach, up onto sand dunes and through pine plantations. Oxford is a peaceful country town revealing a slice of farming life with horse riding and farmstays. An easy five kilometres, the Rakaia Gorge Walkway follows the edge of the beautiful Rakaia Gorge with Mount Hutt as a backdrop.