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Region of New Zealand
Photo: Mark Chung (Mchung), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Canterbury is a region on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The Canterbury Plains stretch from the Conway River in the north, just south of Kaikoura, to the great Waitaki River in the south, just north of Oamaru. The flat plains stretch from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Southern Alps in the west, broken only by the volcanic Banks Peninsula.
The area around Christchurch, including the booming towns of the Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and the scenic Banks Peninsula
The flat Canterbury Plains rising to the Southern Alps and Arthur's Pass
Glacial lakes at the feet of the Southern Alps
Whale watching in Kaikoura and hot springs in Hanmer
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Modern and contemporary art gallery featuring New Zealand artists.
When hydro project manager Max Smith wanted to give something back to the community, he built a world-class rowing venue in this artificial lake, despite never having seen a rowing race before. Regattas are held regularly on the lake during the summer months, but the two big draw cards are the National Championships, held in late February in odd years, and the National Secondary School Championships (Maadi Cup), held in late March in even years.
By car
To explore out-of-the-way places you really need a car unless you are going on a tour group.
By bike
Bicycling is a practical proposition because the roads are relatively flat.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Christchurch · International · CHC
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the largest city in the South Island
swimming with dolphins in this town with a French heritage on Banks Peninsula
Fairlie is a quiet rural town in the Mackenzie District in South Canterbury, New Zealand. It has one of the nicest and cleanest public toilets in New Zealand - with underfloor heating!
hot springs, forest trails for hiking and biking, and other outdoor activities
small town just north of Christchurch
whale watching and other marine activities
a lakeside resort village in a dark sky reserve (for its astronomical observatories), famous for lupins.
seaport town just over the Port Hills south of Christchurch
Methven is a small town with a population of 1,900 people, and the home of Mt. Hutt ski area in Canterbury, New Zealand.
a world famous gliding centre, and home to a sheep shearing show
Pleasant Point is a small town in South Canterbury, on the South Island of New Zealand.
small town just north of Kaiapoi
small inland town on the way to the Craigieburn ski fields and Arthur's Pass
the Canterbury's second-largest city
roadside town along SH 8, budget accommodation alternative to Mt Cook Village.
wine tours and historic trains
South Island's first national park.
contains NZ's highest peak.
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