Natural features
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch, Canterbury
Founded in 1863 and set in a loop of the Avon River, beside Hagley Park, these are some of the finest gardens in New Zealand.
Travel tips in Canterbury, New Zealand
About Canterbury · All tips in New Zealand
New Zealand › Canterbury
Country facts
Walks and treks
Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mount Cook
Canterbury
An easy 10 km return walk over three swing bridges to Hooker Lake, with icebergs and a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, 3,7…
Natural features
Kaikōura whale watching
Canterbury
A deep undersea canyon close to the coast brings sperm whales year-round, plus dusky dolphins, fur seals and albatrosses.
Natural features
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd
Canterbury
A turquoise glacial lake with a small stone church on its shore, beautiful at night under the stars of the Dark Sky Reserve, and covered in lupins in…
Campsites
Acheron Accommodation House Campsite
Canterbury
Camp by this historic cobb building from 1863, once used as an overnight carriage stop.
Campsites
Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Canterbury
Camp on the bank of the Ahuriri River under the shade of willow trees.
Campsites
Andrews Shelter Campsite
Canterbury
A popular starting point for trampers heading to the new Casey Hut.
Campsites
Avalanche Creek Shelter Campsite
Canterbury
This standard camping site is just off the main road in the Arthur’s Pass village, almost directly opposite the visitor centre.
Campsites
Boyle Campsite
Canterbury
Camp amongst the kānuka forest just off SH7 between Hanmer Springs and Lewis Pass.
Attractions
Christchurch Gondola
Christchurch, Canterbury
A cable car up the side of an extinct volcano in the Port Hills, to the summit station 500 m above sea level.
Campsites
Deer Valley Campsite
Canterbury
Camp in beech forest next to the Lewis River.
Campsites
Glencoe Campsite
Canterbury
This is a standard campsite in the Coastal Otago area.
Campsites
Godley Head Campsite
Christchurch, Canterbury
Camp in the middle of a WWII defence battery site with great ocean views and a range of scenic walks.
Attractions
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
Canterbury
Natural thermal pools in the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, open since 1883.
Campsites
Hawdon Shelter Campsite
Canterbury
Camp in the lower reaches of the Hawdon Valley on the grassy flats.
Attractions
International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch
Christchurch, Canterbury
Christchurch is the gateway to Antarctica for the American, Italian and New Zealand programmes, and this centre, beside the airport and the Antarctic…
Campsites
Klondyke Corner Campsite
Canterbury
This large, open campsite is near the junction of the Bealey and Waimakariri Rivers.
Campsites
Lake Middleton Campsite
Canterbury
Use this campsite as a base to walk or mountain bike in the Lake Ōhau area or in Ruataniwha Conservation Park.
Campsites
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite
Canterbury
Camp beside a high-country lake in the Waimakariri Basin; a good base for bird watching.
Campsites
Lake Poaka Campsite
Canterbury
Use this campsite as a base for recreational activities around the Twizel area or as an overnight stay in a picturesque setting.
Campsites
Lake Taylor Campsite
Canterbury
Camp beside the lake and explore this highly scenic area by foot or mountain bike.
Campsites
Lake Tennyson Campsite
Canterbury
This isolated campsite beside Lake Tennyson offers trout fishing, kayaking, boating and walking opportunities.
Campsites
Loch Katrine Campsite
Canterbury
Camp beside the beautiful lake in a grassy area.
Campsites
Mistletoe Flats Campsite
Canterbury
This campsite is set in a landscape of beech forest, tussock and rugged mountains with mountain biking nearby.
Campsites
Mt Nimrod Campsite
Pleasant Point, Canterbury
A quiet campsite on the eastern flank of the Hunter Hills.
Campsites
Otaio Gorge Campsite
Timaru, Canterbury
Camp at a scenic reserve beside forest; swim in the Otaio River.
Campsites
Peel Forest Campground
Geraldine, Canterbury
Peel Forest Campground has campsites and four cabins.
Campsites
Pioneer Park Campsite
Fairlie, Canterbury
Short walks are nearby, and you can visit historic Burkes Cottage.
Tours and activities
Punting on the Avon, Christchurch
Christchurch, Canterbury
A relaxing, very English way to see Christchurch: a punter in Edwardian dress poles a flat-bottomed boat along the willow-lined Avon River (Ōtākaro) …
Campsites
Round Bush Campsite
Canterbury
Beautiful beech forest, hung with mistletoe in summer, grows right up to the lake edge.
Campsites
Temple Campsite
Canterbury
North of Lake Ōhau, within a beautiful beech forest in a large, flat area.
Campsites
Trotters Gorge Campsite
Canterbury
This is a quiet family standard campsite on the Otago coast in a bush setting.
Campsites
Waihi Gorge Campsite
Geraldine, Canterbury
Located on the banks of the Waihī River, this campsite is a popular spot surrounded by kahikatea, mataī and lowland tōtara forest.
Campsites
White Horse Hill Campsite
Canterbury
Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery including Mt Sefton.
Campsites
Wooded Gully Campsite
Oxford, Canterbury
Camp beside a stream below tracks leading to Mt Thomas.