Christchurch & Canterbury Travel Guide

The Canterbury region covers a huge part of New Zealand’s South Island. It spans all the way from Kaikoura to Hamner Springs and south towards Christchurch, the Banks Peninsula as well as the Mackenzie District with Tekapo and Mt Cook. 

Because it covers such a massive part of the South Island, we’ll cut the region in half. On this page, you’ll find travel info on everything north of the Rakaia River:

  • Christchurch

  • Banks Peninsula

  • Waipara

  • Hamner Springs

  • Kaikoura

  • and many other small towns along the way

 
Map of canterbury nz north of the rakaia river

Map of canterbury nz north of the rakaia river

 

Christchurch

Christchurch is the biggest city on the South Island and is often either the starting or end destination for international visitors to New Zealand. 

The city didn’t have it easy in the past years, several devastating events left Christchurch reeling. It’s even more amazing to see how they’re slowly but beautifully restoring the city and it’s no wonder Christchurch is also known as the Garden City. There are plenty of green spaces for people to sit in and relax. Together with the old, English buildings (there are still lots that weren’t destroyed) and the slow-flowing Avon River, you could feel like you’re in a part of London. 

Getting to Christchurch

By plane: Christchurch is the main international airport on the South Island. Several domestic and international flights take off and land daily. It’s easy to get from Christchurch airport to the city. A bus circulates regularly, or hop on a taxi or Uber. 

By car: Christchurch can easily be reached from pretty much anywhere on the South Island. The drive from Queenstown to Christchurch is one of the longer ones with 480km | 300mi and a good 6-hour drive. From Dunedin to Christchurch, it’s 420km | 260mi (5.5 hours) and to Picton (ferry terminal to the North Island), it takes you about 4.5 hours (335km | 210mi).

By bus: Intercity drives regularly from Picton to Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown. Taking the bus is the cheapest option to get around New Zealand. 

By train: Two scenic trains drive into Christchurch. The TranzAlpine takes you through the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth on the West Coast. The Coastal Pacific runs along the coast between Picton, Kaikoura and Christchurch. 

Not only Christchurch has a lot to offer, the surrounding districts north or the Rakaia River are just as special and within an easy drive from Christchurch.

The Banks Peninsula is famous for its French influence on buildings and the local cuisine, Waipara entices you with delicious wine, Hamner Springs is popular for its hot springs and the best whale watching in New Zealand can be found in Kaikoura.