Things to do in Canterbury
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Canterbury.
See and do
Walk · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Hooker Valley Track
Flat walk across three swing bridges to a glacier lake.
Town · Akaroa
Akaroa
French-flavoured harbour town on the edge of an old volcano.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Castle Hill
Castle Hill (Kura Tāwhiti)
Limestone boulder fields that look like another planet.
Viewpoint · Lake Tekapo
Mt John Observatory
Hilltop observatory with lake views and stargazing tours.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki lookout
Turquoise glacial lake with Aoraki / Mount Cook framed at the far end.
Activity · Kaikōura
Whale Watch Kaikōura
Kaikōura's boat trip to see sperm whales, run from the old railway station with a boarding lounge.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · DuntroonHidden gem
Elephant Rocks
Limestone outcrops that look like a herd of grey elephants in a paddock.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
A big complex of 20-plus thermal pools in an alpine village, two hours from Christchurch.
Cave · Arthur's Pass
Cave Stream
Wade and scramble through a 594 m limestone cave along a stream, wetsuit and torch required.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · NasebyHidden gem
Danseys Pass road
Gravel back road from Naseby over tussock country to the Waitaki Valley, with a historic coach inn.
Waterfall · Arthur's Pass
Devil's Punchbowl Falls
A 131 m waterfall in Arthur's Pass, one hour return on a track with lots of steps.
Wildlife · Kaikōura
Point Kean seal colony
Fur seals lounging on the rocks right beside the car park.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Ōhau PointHidden gem
Ōhau Stream waterfall walk
Short bush walk to a waterfall where fur seal pups play in winter and spring.
Hot pool · Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
Big hot pool complex in a forested alpine village.
- Walk
Walk · AkaroaHidden gem
Hinewai Reserve
Regenerating native forest reserve with waterfalls and walks.
Activity · Akaroa
Akaroa Harbour dolphin cruise
Boat trip to see Hector's dolphins, the world's smallest dolphin.
Cave · CassHidden gem
Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
A stream runs through a 594 m cave you can wade and scramble through.
- Walk
Walk · Kaikōura
Kaikōura Peninsula walkway
Clifftop loop with sea views, seals and shearwater colonies.
Town · Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass village
Small alpine village on the pass with a visitor centre and kea.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Arthur's Pass
Devils Punchbowl Falls
131 m waterfall reached by an hour-long return track from the village.
Viewpoint · MesopotamiaHidden gem
Mount Sunday
Isolated hill used as Edoras in the Lord of the Rings films.
History · Lake Tekapo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Stone church on the lake shore, one of NZ's most photographed.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · OmaramaHidden gem
Clay Cliffs
Eroded clay pinnacles on a private farm road.
- Glacier
Glacier · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Tasman Glacier viewpoint
Short climb to a lookout over New Zealand's longest glacier.
Walk · Aoraki Mount Cook
Tasman Lake and River Track
A 50 minute return with views of the Tasman Glacier.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Kea Point
Easy track to a deck above Mueller Glacier with Aoraki views.
Waterfall · KaikōuraHidden gem
Ōhau Stream waterfall and seal pups
A short bush walk to a waterfall where fur seal pups often play in the pool.
Hot pool · Lake Tekapo
Tekapo Springs
Hot pools above Lake Tekapo, with winter ice skating and tubing.
- Walk
Walk · KaikōuraHidden gem
Mount Fyffe track
Steep climb above Kaikōura with huge views over the coast and plains.
Garden · Christchurch
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Free city gardens along the Avon with big trees and flowerbeds.
Hot pool · Omarama
Omarama Hot Tubs
Cedar hot tubs with mountain views, open all year.
- History
History · LytteltonHidden gem
Quail Island (Ōtamahua)
Harbour island with walks, a shipwreck and a former leper colony.
- Beach
Beach · ChristchurchHidden gem
Taylors Mistake
Small surf bay with colourful baches at the end of a coastal road.
- Beach
Beach · Okains BayHidden gem
Okains Bay
Wide sandy bay with calm swimming and a camping area.
- Museum
Museum · Okains BayHidden gem
Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum
Small museum with a carved meeting house and a war canoe.
- Beach
Beach · Le Bons BayHidden gem
Le Bons Bay
Quiet bay at the end of a long peninsula road.
- Lake
Lake · Lake ColeridgeHidden gem
Lake Coleridge
Remote turquoise lake with limited camping.
- Walk
Walk · Rakaia Gorge
Rakaia Gorge
Turquoise glacial river gorge with easy walks.
- Lake
Lake · Lake ŌhauHidden gem
Lake Ōhau
Quiet alpine lake with walks and a village.
- Walk
Walk · Peel ForestHidden gem
Peel Forest
Podocarp forest with big trees, a waterfall and a campsite.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Hilltop
Hilltop lookout
Roadside lookout over Akaroa Harbour and the crater rim.
- Museum
Museum · Christchurch Airport
International Antarctic Centre
Airport-side Antarctic attraction with penguin rescue, a storm room, Hagglund ride and 4D theatre.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Rangitata GorgeHidden gem
Acland Falls
A short track to a 14 m waterfall from Clarke Flat or Te Wanahu Flat.
Walk · AkaroaHidden gem
Akaroa Head
A 40 minute walk with history, big views and wildlife at Akaroa Head.
- History
History · DuntroonHidden gem
Takiroa Rock Art Shelter
Ancient Maori rock drawings under a limestone overhang beside the highway.
Hot pool · Methven
Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa
Thermal pools and spa on the edge of Methven, with Southern Alps views.
Waterfall · Mt SomersHidden gem
Sharplin Falls
An easy bush walk to a waterfall under Mt Somers.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Hanmer SpringsHidden gem
Dog Stream waterfall
A forest waterfall reached by an easy track near Hanmer.
Beach · Sumner
Sumner Beach
City surf beach with a village of cafes and Cave Rock.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Christchurch
Orana Wildlife Park
Open-range zoo with African and native animals.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Hanmer Springs
Conical Hill lookout
Short climb above the village with views over the Hanmer Basin.
- Beach
Beach · Birdlings FlatHidden gem
Birdlings Flat and Kaitorete Spit
Wild gravel beach with agates and views of the Southern Alps.
- Lake
Lake · Lake TekapoHidden gem
Lake Alexandrina
Quiet lake with a camp, baches and no crowds.
- Walk
Walk · Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Forest Park mountain biking and walks
Pine and beech forest with a network of tracks above the village.
- Activity
Activity · Hanmer Springs
Waiau Gorge Bridge and Thrillseekers Canyon
Rafting, bungy and jet boat on the Waiau Uwha.
- Lake
Lake · CassHidden gem
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua)
Pretty alpine lake beside SH73 with picnic spots.
- Town
Town · Pigeon BayHidden gem
Pigeon Bay
A quiet settlement at the end of a long bay.
- Museum
Museum · DuntroonHidden gem
Vanished World Centre
Small museum of local fossils in the Waitaki Valley.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Harewood, Christchurch
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Christchurch wildlife park open rain or shine, with kiwi, native birds and other animals.
- Activity
Activity · WaiparaHidden gem
Weka Pass Railway
Volunteer-run heritage steam and diesel train through the Weka Pass between Waipara and Waikari.
Food stops
- Food truck
Food truck · Kaikōura
Nin's Bin
Blue and white caravan selling crayfish, paua and chips beside SH1 since 1977.
- Bakery
Bakery · Fairlie
Fairlie Bakehouse
Cult-status pie bakery on the road to Mackenzie Country.
- Bakery
Bakery · Sheffield
Sheffield Pie Shop
The pie stop on the way to Arthur's Pass, loved by road trippers.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · GeraldineHidden gem
Barker's of Geraldine
Garden cafe and foodstore for jams, chutneys and pork belly pies.
- Food truck
Food truck · Kaikōura
Kaikōura Seafood BBQ Kiosk
Waterfront kiosk in Kaikōura selling local seafood.
- Café
Café · Aoraki Mount Cook Village
Old Mountaineers' Cafe
Cafe in Mt Cook Village, the place for a pie and a view of Aoraki.
Market · LytteltonHidden gem
Lyttelton Farmers Market
Saturday market in the port town of Lyttelton, with good coffee and street food.
- Market
Market · Christchurch
Riverside Market
Covered food market in central Christchurch, with pies and local produce.
- Café
Café · KekerenguHidden gem
Kekerengu Store
Roadside cafe on the Kaikōura coast with seafood and ocean views.
- Winery
Winery · Waipara
Pegasus Bay Winery
Well-regarded Waipara winery with a restaurant.
Café · Port HillsHidden gem
Sign of the Kiwi
Historic rest house on the Port Hills with views over the plains.
Market · LytteltonHidden gem
Lyttelton Harbour Farmers Market
Saturday morning market in a port town full of cafes.
Places to stay
Campground · Aoraki / Mount Cook
White Horse Hill campground
The camp under Aoraki, at the start of the Hooker Valley Track.
Freedom camping · Twizel
Lake Pukaki camping area
Lakeside camp with the famous turquoise water and Aoraki views.
- Lodge
Lodge · Hapuku, Kaikōura
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses
Five-star lodge north of Kaikōura with treehouses perched in native trees, a heated pool and dinner included.
Lake · Hanmer SpringsHidden gem
Lake Tennyson
Remote high-country lake with a basic DOC camp, reached by gravel from Hanmer Springs.
Campground · Peel Forest
Peel Forest campground
Forest campground with big podocarp trees and walks up to Acland Falls.
Holiday park · Mount Cook
Glentanner Holiday Park
Holiday park on Lake Pukaki flats, a short drive from Aoraki / Mount Cook.
- Campground
Campground · Little River, Banks PeninsulaHidden gem
Little River Campground
Eco campground in five hectares of regenerating bush, with quirky cabins and a bush slide.
Campground · Rakaia GorgeHidden gem
Rakaia Gorge Campground
Simple summer camp above the gorge with free hot showers, bellbirds and a short walk to a lookout.
- Glamping
Glamping · Hanmer SpringsHidden gem
Hanmer Glamping
Three geodomes with wood-fired hot tubs and a bed under the stars, nine minutes from Hanmer village.
Hut · Mt SomersHidden gem
Woolshed Creek Hut
Easy first tramp to a woodburner hut in the Mt Somers hills, with water caves and a swimming pool on the way.
Hut · Banks Peninsula (Christchurch)Hidden gem
Packhorse Hut
Stone rest hut from the 1900s on the Port Hills crater rim, nine bunks and a woodburner.
Hut · Banks Peninsula (Little River)Hidden gem
Rod Donald Hut
Bush-edged nine-bunk hut on Banks Peninsula, 50 minutes' walk from Port Levy Saddle.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · GeraldineHidden gem
The Farmyard Holiday Park
Working farmyard park with donkeys, alpacas and water buffalo; guests get a free morning donkey ride.
Campground · Arthur's Pass
Klondyke Corner campsite
Basic DOC riverside camp at the start of Waimakariri Valley tracks.
Campground · Arthur's Pass
Lake Pearson campsite
Open, windy lake camp with views of the Southern Alps, a short drive from Arthur's Pass.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs Forest Camp
Forest camp near Hanmer Springs, known for hot pools and mountain-bike trails.
- Campground
Campground · Onuku
Onuku Farm Hostel camp
Farm-stay camping with harbour views south of Akaroa.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Aoraki / Mount Cook
Glentanner Park
Camp and cabins at the foot of Lake Pukaki.
- Campground
Campground · OmaramaHidden gem
Lake Benmore Sailors Cutting
Lakeside camp area in a hydro lake.
- Campground
Campground · BenmoreHidden gem
Falstone Creek Campground
Elevated Lake Benmore camp out of the flood zone, with a boat ramp and dump station.
- Campground
Campground · OtematataHidden gem
Loch Laird Campground
Willow-shaded camp beside Benmore Dam, with a small lake for water-skiing and a safe cycle ride to Otematata.
- Hut
Hut · Mt SomersHidden gem
Pinnacles Hut
A 19-bunk hut in the Mt Somers range, reached on a steep walk from the Sharplin Falls car park.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Peketā, KaikōuraHidden gem
Peketā Beach Holiday Park
Beachfront camping 10 minutes south of Kaikōura, with sea and mountain views and fishing off the beach.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · OxfordHidden gem
Ashley-Rakahuri Gorge Holiday Park
Riverside camp in native bush on the Ashley Gorge, with walking tracks and free BBQs.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
Rated 4.7 by drivers · 700,000 downloads
