WINTER in Canterbury is magical. Skiing and snowboarding is tops, as is pretty much everything else … the food, the wine, the mountains, the mountain air … the list goes on. Here are 21 awesome things to do in Canterbury, and we bet you could find another 21 if you went and experienced it for yourself.
1) Christchurch airport. First impressions count and as airports go this one’s got food and shopping covered.
2) Christchurch is bustling, fun and chaotic if you want it to be, and chilled and relaxed too if that takes your fancy.
Aerial view of pretty Lyttelton in Christchurch.
3) Nestled high on the inside of the Southern Alps eastern rim, Mt Hutt gets deep, light, powdery snow. It’s also the biggest field in Canterbury and is known around the world for being a top ski field. Go see why.
Skiing Mt Hutt is a thrill.
4) Stay in Methven, the closest town to Mt Hutt, but better still really hang in Methven. The buzzing atmosphere makes for a great stay whatever your reason for being there.
5) Porters is the closest ski area to Christchurch and it gets regular natural snow from both southerly and westerly weather patterns — meaning awesome snow conditions for skiers and boarders.
Sunset at Porters.
6) Ski, trek, cycle and completely tire your body out at Ohau. The skiing is incredible, but so is the hiking, the cycling … you get the picture.
One of the highest points on the Ohau to Quailburn section.
7) Want powdery snow and uncrowded runs? Head to Mt Dobson for kilometres of untracked snow. Better still be the one to make it tracked snow!
8) See the most significant collection of Maori rock drawings in the world while learning about the New Zealand indigenous culture at Timaru. And who said learning was boring?
9) Little towns often seem to have great food. If you fancy sausage rolls, pies and fresh-as fish and chips you’ll be in heaven. The kiwis do takeaway well so pack stretchy pants and order away.
10) Stare at stars, it’s incredibly magic. The world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve is in the Aoraki/Mount Cook Mackenzie region (so to put it simply think stars, stars and more stars!)
Mt Cook at dawn.
11) Swim with wild New Zealand seals in the shallow waters of the beautifulKaikoura Peninsula. Recently listed as one of Lonely Planets Top 10 “Best Marine Encounters” worldwide it’s an experience you don’t want to miss!
“Please let me swim with you” said the baby seal.
12) Catch the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth and do nothing but look at the window. You’ll experience so much without even lifting a foot.
13) The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand and you can experience some of Middle Earth in Canterbury by journeying into Edoras, the main city of the Rohan people. Nothing remains of the set, but being there is still pretty spesh.
Not a bad view at all at Edoras.
14) Warm up in beautiful Tekapo Springs. The three-tiered pools are landscaped in local greywacke rock and surrounded by native alpine plants. Oh and you look out onto Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumb mountain range … just in case you needed more convincing.
15) Drink good wine and eat top-notch food at Pegasus Bay winery. The family-run winery is known for its quality drops and tasty fare. Try the rieslings, chardonnay, and pinot noir … and all that’s on offer.
Sure, let’s try another wine at Pegasus Bay winery.
16) More wine? Waipara Springs Winery is one the valley’s oldest wineries. The sauvignon blanc is their biggest seller, the barrique chardonnay is their signature wine, and the pinot noir, botrytized riesling and gewürztraminer are great too. Don’t drive (so you can sample more wine) and order the antipasto platter (to stay somewhat sober-ish) for the ultimate wine tasting experience.
I can drink all five. I can, I can, I can.
17) The French are known for their lovin’, so get loved up in Akaroa — site of New Zealand’s first French settlement. Meander along the harbour watching the penguins and seals do their thing. Maybe try do your own thing … in private.
Bet these sheep are into loving too.
18) Book in to get pampered senseless at Hanmer Springs. The cutesy spa town is built around a hot spring that was discovered in the 19th century, and it’s the perfect place to unwind. Families will like the rock and sulphur pools complete with water slides.
Take me away to Hanmer Springs.
19) Go for a tandem skydive — the thrill is worth it and there’s no better place for it than in Canterbury. Why? Methven’s location equals stunning views from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps. Do it and see what the hype’s about.
A tandem skydive as the sun sets. New Zealand is the place to do it.
20) Gorge on seafood at Kaikora, which in the Maori language means “meal of crayfish”, a nod to the town’s quality seafood.
Go classic — battered and deep-fried is the real way to eat fish and chips.
21) Take a road trip to somewhere that’s not in the guidebooks. The beauty about Canterbury is the journey. Just drive and see where it gets you — you might discover something new.
Pott’s Road — so many roads to discover in Canterbury.
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