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This Canterbury Travel Guide Is What You Need for an Enjoyable Trip

| Last Updated: April 2025

When someone says Canterbury, I visualise a large region with diverse geography. It has the vast, flat land Canterbury Plains, the majestic mountain range Southern Alps, and various must-see bodies of water like the Rakaia River.

It’s impossible not to have a fun and memorable trip to New Zealand’s biggest region. Aside from money, what you need to have when you visit here is long-lasting stamina. Why? Because you might get tired without yet seeing all the things and places you have to see (it’s too wide!).

I wrote this blog hoping to help people like you make the most of their visit. My firsthand tips about the best places to stay and eat and many more things that might make your trip more than worth it.

Time Zone

New Zealand Daylight Time (GMT+13)

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Canterbury depends on what you want to see and experience.

The summer season is perfect for hiking and going to different beaches and rivers to try water activities like fishing and kayaking. It’s important to note that tourists flock to the region during this season.

If you want fewer tourists, visit during autumn. This is also the season when you can witness the leaves’ colours on the trees change.

Snow activities like tobogganing on a mountain’s peak and snowboarding in the Southern Alps are available during winter.

Spring is the ideal season to take pictures of the vibrant landscape of the region’s cities and blooming wildflowers.

Things to Know

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: English
Calling Code: +64

How to Get Around 

Trains: Take The Tranz Alpine train for a fast and scenic journey in the region, especially between Christchurch and Greymouth.

Buses: Metro buses are a great mode of transportation for exploring some of the cities within the region. Consider ordering a Metrocard for faster and cheaper rides.

E-bikes: Rent an e-bike from Point E-bikes to roam just within a city, specifically in the South Canterbury area.

Taxis: There are many taxis to book within the region, with Blue Star Taxis being the most popular. You can also book a cab through Uber if you want.

Where to Stay in Canterbury

Otahuna Lodge

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Address: 224 Rhodes Road Tai Tapu, Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 329 6333
Pricing: NZ$$
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Book here if you want to experience luxurious accommodation at a hotel with picturesque green scenery everywhere you look.

I enjoyed the hotel’s opulent suite, gourmet farm-to-table dining, and stunning gardens. 

To make your stay memorable, I recommend taking advantage of their helicopter tour.

Matuka Lodge

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Address: 395 Glen Lyon Road, Ben, Lake Ohau
Phone: +64 21 469 396
Pricing: NZ$
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Aside from top-of-the-line accommodation, Matuka Lodge offers a breathtaking view of the renowned Southern Alps. 

Other nearby attractions are Lake Pukaki and the World Heritage-listed Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park.

The thing I enjoyed the most here is the breakfast. It was made from fresh, local produce, so it definitely made a difference in how my day would go.

The Vicarage Geraldine

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Address: 69 Talbot Street, Geraldine
Phone: +64 27 693 9027
Pricing: NZ$
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This is where I experienced the pinnacle of boutique accommodation. The simple but beautifully restored room (yes, the establishment is historical) they gave me was tidy and quiet, with comfortable pillows and linen sheets.

On top of that, the hotel’s perfect blend of historic and contemporary interior design is veeery Instagrammable.

You can easily access cafes, bars, and restaurants here. The icing on the cake is the scenic trails nearby, which you can enjoy if you stay longer.

Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses

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Address: 8 Station Road, Hapuku
Phone: +64 3 319 6559
Pricing: NZ$$
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This unique hotel provided me with a perfect blend of luxury and nature. You can choose between a stylish treehouse and an elegant suite.

Enjoy the striking coastal views from your room, or better yet, go to the seashore and watch the whales up close (yes, whales!).

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

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Address: 3 Wallace Street, Franz Josef / Waiau
Pricing: NZ$
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Stay at this hotel if you want a complete eco-retreat experience (I wanted it during my visit). Its beautifully furnished rooms are nestled in the lush rainforest.

I indulged in gourmet dining while relaxing in serene surroundings. A friendly reminder: don’t miss out on the remarkable Franz Josef Glacier nearby.

Where to Eat in Canterbury

5th Street

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Address: 5 Elgin Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 365 9667
Pricing: NZ$
Website

If you’re looking for a spot to eat with an extensive selection of cocktails, 5th Street is the place to be. The bartenders serve old-fashioned but flavourful combinations that will make your night wonderful (especially if you’re an old soul).

Try their Royalburn lamb for a satisfying dining experience. You can order either Royalburn lamb croquettes or Royalburn lamb shoulder. The layer of richness and flavour in these dishes tells me that they used well-dry-aged lamb meat.

Mint Folk & Co

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Address: 4 Market Place, Twizel
Phone: +64 3 435 3155
Pricing: NZ$
Website

Mint Folk & Co is a one-of-a-kind spot that’s a relaxing cafe in the morning and a chic bar at night. 

It would be a crime not to order their eggs benedict and chicken bao for breakfast. The eggs Benedict has perfectly poached egg with runny yolks (yum!). Meanwhile, their chicken bao has a fluffy, pillowy bun with a tender chicken filling.

The Better Batter NZ

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Address: Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo
Pricing: NZ$
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This well-known lakeside mini food trailer sells a variety of dishes, including fish and chips and popcorn chicken. 

It’s difficult not to like their fried calamari. It’s deep-fried, resulting in a crunchy texture on the outside. The squid also has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and is not overly fishy.

Mandala Restaurant

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Address: 40F Rue Lavaud, Akaroa
Phone: +64 3 304 7714
Pricing: NZ$
Website

Mandala Restaurant serves a perfect fusion of Indian and Asian cuisine. Don’t forget to taste their chef’s special, Muscovy duck. Its deep red, mildly gamey meat is thin-skinned, allowing for a bold yet pleasantly balanced flavour.

Aside from the lovely food, this restaurant brings a warm atmosphere to its guests, which I felt during my stay.

Bar Yoku

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Address: The Welder 20 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 365 1055
Pricing: NZ$
Website

Nothing beats Bar Yoku’s unique yet enjoyable combination of Japanese and New Zealand dishes.

They grill their signature dish, yakitori, over binchotan (white oak) charcoal. They then season it with sweet tare sauce, giving it a juicy taste. It’s a must-order when you come visit!

What to Do in Canterbury

Visit Canterbury Museum

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Address: 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City
Phone: +64 3 366 5000
Website

The best way to know a place is to visit its museum. At Canterbury Museum, you will see the region’s rich history, including its Maori artifacts, early settlers galleries, and geology exhibits.

Hike at Hooker Valley Track

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Address: Hooker Valley Track, Mt Cook National Park
Phone: +64 3 435 1186
Website

There’s no better place to have a perfect view of the Southern Alps than at the end of this renowned walking trail.

The end of the trail offers unobstructed views of the country’s well-known mountain range. You also get to see a crystal-clear glacier.

Look at the constellations at the Dark Sky Project

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Address: 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo
Phone: +64 3 680 6960
Website

New Zealand is known to have a significant number of dark sky reserves, so don’t miss your chance to see some of them in Canterbury at this mountainside observatory. 

You’ll be able to see Saturn, Jupiter, and the moon through a telescope.

Unwind at New Brighton Beach

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Address: Canterbury

New Brighton Beach attracts locals and tourists because this is where you can see the region’s most famous pier—the New Brighton Pier. Right next to the beach are a library, a kids’ playground, and a cafe.

Experience the snow at RoundHill Ski Area

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Address: 2544 Lilybank Road, Tekapo
Phone: +64 21 680 694
Website

This family-friendly ski resort offers breathtaking views of Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. Most of all, this is where you will experience the world’s longest and steepest rope tow.

Where to Shop in Canterbury

Canterbury Playcentre Shop

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Address: 17 Buchan Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 377 4354
Website

This is the shop to visit when buying gifts for kids of all ages. Here, you can choose from a wide range of educational toys, such as toys for reading, writing, counting, and drawing.

New Regent Street Precinct

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Address: Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Phone: +64 27 253 3291
Website

Probably the liveliest street in all of Canterbury is the New Regent Street Precinct. It doesn’t just offer a wide variety of shopping choices but also offers dining and cultural experiences.

Chertsey Book Barn

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Address: 8 Chertsey Kyle Road, Chertsey
Phone: +64 3 302 2851

If you’re a book nerd like me, you should visit this lovely bookstore. You can find every book genre you can imagine (secondhand books), with a massive collection of DVDs and two friendly cats (one named Zag).

Westfield Riccarton

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Address: 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
Website

Westfield Riccarton is one of Christchurch’s premier shopping malls. It houses almost 200 stalls, including retail stores, major brands, and entertainment outlets you may enjoy. Some of the major brands you can find here are Levi’s, Skechers, and H&M.

Backcountry Gifts

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Address: shop F/96 High Street, Rangiora
Phone: +64 22 456 8987
Website

Another popular shopping mall in the region, offering a diverse shopping experience. Backcountry Gifts is the mall to go to for rare finds (especially in fashion), affordable groceries, and a great choice of fine dining options.

Which Towns to Visit in Canterbury

Christchurch Central City

Directions

Christchurch is the biggest city in Canterbury. Visiting the city’s central area will give you the complete urban life experience in the region. 

You must not miss seeing the iconic Christchurch Gondola, which offers a perfect panoramic view of the city and the Canterbury Plains.

Hanmer Springs

Directions

Hanmer Springs is a town known for its natural thermal pools, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and adventure. It also has a decent number of biking trails, such as the Hammer Forest Laps.

Akaroa

Directions

Akaroa is one of the charming towns near Banks Peninsula. Some of the notable attractions here are Akaroa Lighthouse, the Giant’s House (you definitely shouldn’t miss it), and Hinewai Reserve.

Do you want to see a Hector dolphin, which is endemic to New Zealand? This town can give you that experience.

Kaikoura

Directions

Kaikoura is the place to be if you want to see a stunning coastline and a myriad of wildlife encounter opportunities. This town on South Island is a famous whale-watching destination, specifically sperm whales.

Timaru

Directions

If you’re a big fan of the movie Happy Feet, go to Timaru because you will see a rare colony of penguins here called little blue penguins. 

Apart from the penguins, the city also packs ski areas with striking views, such as Mount Peel.

What to Expect from Canterbury Weather

Spring: Spring will bring some rain and lots of sunny days. Daytime temperatures will be around 20°C.

Summer: January and February are the hottest months, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C. That said, expect warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C in December.

Autumn: The average temperature during autumn would be between 15 and 20°C. There will be warm days, cold nights, and the potential for some rain in the South Island area.

Winter: Expect cool to cold temperatures in winter, with the possible lowest temperature of around 12°C. There will be snow in the lower cities, specifically on the South Island.

Apps to Download for a Trip to Canterbury

Uber: For hailing taxis and food delivery
iOs | Android

MetService: Gives up-to-date weather forecasts in NZ’s towns and cities
iOs | Android

Star Chart: Gives fun facts about the constellations above you at night
iOs

Great Journeys: For entertaining and informative tour guide during train ride
iOs | Android

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