At the very heart of the South Island, between the West Coast and Canterbury, is Arthur's Pass National Park.  Covering over 1,000 square kilometres, it's a park of two halves, with heavy rainfor...

Sitting on the east coast, just 80 minutes south of Christchurch, Ashburton is considered one of the gateways to the South Island.  Located in the middle of the Canterbury Plains, the town thrive...

Located around 90 minutes drive southeast of Christchurch, the circular Banks Peninsula juts out from the South Island's central east coast.  It was first sighted by Captain Cook in the 1760s, du...

The largest city of the South Island, Christchurch is also New Zealand's oldest, having been granted its Royal Charter in 1856.  Known as the Garden City for its high proportion of green spa...

With a visual backdrop as stunning as the Southern Alps, it doesn't take much imagination to see why Geraldine is one of Canterbury's most visited towns.  It's a welcoming place, with a village v...

Situated 133km north of Christchurch and 65km southwest of Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs is one of the South Island's premier alpine and spa destinations, thanks to the hot springs upon which the town is b...

Meaning 'crayfish meal' in Maori, Kaikoura is aptly-named, as everything to do with this beautiful place comes from the sea.  On the east coast of the South Island, 180km north of Christchurch...

Lake Pukaki offers fabulous postcard views of eye-catching turquoise water and the snow capped mountains of Mount Cook National Park in the distance. The 178 square kilometre Lake is situated about...

Situated about 3 hours drive from Queenstown and Christchurch, the turquoise water of Lake Tekapo is a welcoming sight at the foot of the Southern Alps.  The lake sprawls across 83 square ki...

The port of Lyttelton is situated on the north shore of  Lyttelton Harbour and close to the Banks Peninsula.  It's a popular spot for cruise ships and cargo vessels, but it's also ...

35 kilometres north of Ashburton, nestled on the western edge of the famous Canterbury Plains, is the charming village of Methven. Home to just 1300 permanent residents, it's a place with a distinctly...

Home to all but one of New Zealand's 20 highest peaks, including the highest and eponymous Aoraki (Mount Cook), this national park is 700km2 of predictably mountainous terrain and glaciers.  Toge...

5 miles east of Christchurch CBD, New Brighton is a popular coastal suburb, with good transport links and a balmy, laid back vibe. The resort is split into three sections - North New Brighton, New Bri...

Eight miles southeast of Christchurch is the popular coastal town of Sumner.  The town was named after a prominent member of Canterbury society, and was first settled by Europeans in the mid 19th...

Two hours south of Christchurch (and a similar distance north of Dunedin) is Canterbury's largest regional hub, Timaru. As a coastal town, Timaru is set amongst an agricultural hinterland, an...

Halfway between Christchurch and , the relatively new town of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin, was built in 1968 to provide accommodation for those working on the Upper Waitaki Hydroelectricity Scheme t...

Part of North Canterbury's food and wine trail, the Waimakariri district is a bustling area just 20 minutes north of Christchurch.  Encompassing the towns of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Oxford...

An easy drive up the coastal SH-1, just 40 minutes from , is the beautiful Waipara Valley. Known mostly for its vineyards, it's New Zealand's fastest growing wine region.  Nestled within the shel...