Canterbury Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Canterbury
The Canterbury region, bounded on the east by the Pacific and on the west by the Southern Alps, extends for some 100km from east to west and 300km from north to south. Within this area are great plains, torrential rivers and New Zealand's mightiest mountains.The region has a population of around 440,000, most of them living near the coast. The largest town is Christchurch. The density of population decreases rapidly towards the interior of the South Island and the mountains. Between 1986 and 1991 the population of the whole region increased by 2.2 per cent.
Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur's Pass National Park is a popular park, open year round for hiking and skiing. The mountains, rivers, and waterfalls can be appreciated from the many walking trails.
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Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook National Park on the South Island contains a dramatic landscape with some of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps, including Mount Cook at 3753m and the Tasman Glacier.
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Lewis Pass
100km west of Hanmer Springs Highway 7 goes over the Lewis Pass (907m). The mountain pass road, which links the Canterbury region with the northwest coast of the South Island, was completed in 1937. This route was well known to the Maori tribes of the region, who used it on their way to the greenstone deposits in the rivers on the west coast. Cannibal Gorge, near the summit of the pass, recalls the days when the Maori caravans making for the west coast took slaves with them as carriers; then on the way back, it is said, the slaves were killed and eaten.A number of short trails start from the summit of the pass (e.g. Tarn Nature Walk, Lewis Pass Lookout Walk). The St James Track (70km) over the Ada Pass and Anne Saddle takes 5 days.
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Lake Ohau
Lake Ohau, in a beautiful setting 30km west of Twizel, forms the boundary between the Canterbury and Otago regions. This glacier-formed lake has an area of 60 sq.km. In good weather the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps are mirrored in its waters. It is linked by canal with Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo - all three lakes being integrated into the hydroelectric scheme on the upper course of the Waitaki River.Lake Ohau is a popular holiday resort in summer, attracting many fishing and boating enthusiasts and campers.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is known for its turquoise colored water and its beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains.
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Ashburton, New Zealand
The town of Ashburton (pop. 16,000) lies on the Ashburton River in the Canterbury Plains, 90km southwest of Christchurch. The town and the river are named after Lord Ashburton, a prominent member of the New Zealand Land Company founded by Edward Gibbon Wakefield in London. The wide Canterbury Plains, with the Southern Alps in the distance, are now the granary of New Zealand, reminiscent of the American Midwest, though only 150 years ago, when Bishop Selwyn was traveling about his immense diocese, the plains were arid, treeless and covered with brown tussock grass.
Lake Coleridge
100km west of Christchurch is Lake Coleridge, a typical elongated glacier-formed lake, surrounded by mountains and open tussock grassland and which is now a Mecca for anglers. It is named after a prominent member of the Canterbury Association. The first state-owned hydroelectric station came into operation here in 1911. The water that formerly flowed into the Harper River was diverted through underground pipelines into the Rakaia River. Near here are the winter-sports areas of Porter Heights and Mount Olympus.
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Lake Pukaki
13km north of Twizel is Lake Pukaki, the second largest glacier lake in Canterbury region (81 sq.km). The mighty Tasman River, fed by meltwater from great glaciers, flows into the north end of the lake, which lies 500m above sea level. The lake's high content of rock flour (finely ground particles of rock held in the glacial meltwater) gives its water a milky turquoise color.
Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands (pop. 750) lie in the south Pacific some 800km east of Christchurch. There are three main islands: Chatham, Pitt and Southeast Island.There are scheduled flights to Chatham from Christchurch and Wellington.
Geraldine, New Zealand
The little agricultural market town of Geraldine lies 35km north of Timaru, between the plain and the highlands. Early settlers planted European species of trees here.
Waimate, New Zealand
50km south of Timaru is Waimate, the commercial center of a large agricultural area. On land that in the 19th C was covered with totara forests grain is now grown, as well as flower bulbs and berry fruits.
