Canterbury, New Zealand

Canterbury in New Zealand can be understood through its wide range of landscapes as well as through individual hiking and cultural destinations.

Getting your bearings between coast and mountains

Canterbury stretches from the Pacific coast in the east to the Southern Alps in the west. The Canterbury Plains are another of the region’s scenic highlights. This landscape encompasses coast, plains and mountains. Outdoor adventures are possible along Canterbury’s rivers and in its mountains. When choosing Canterbury for your trip, these landscapes can offer an initial point of reference: would you like to focus mainly on regional geography, a specific hiking destination or cultural history?

Rock formations and cultural significance at Kura Tāwhiti

Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill is of particular significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tūāhuriri. The Kura Tāwhiti Access Track starts at the Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti car park in the Waimakariri Basin of Canterbury and leads through a landscape of cultural and ecological significance, known for its towering limestone boulders. This specific destination therefore combines a striking landscape with cultural significance. No booking is required for the Kura Tāwhiti Access Track. The starting point, landscape and the site’s special significance give you several specific points to consider when planning your trip.

Hikes with different planning details

The Ōtamahua/Quail Island Loop Track is a 4.5-kilometre circuit that takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. You therefore have both a distance and a time estimate to use when planning this walk. By contrast, the Kura Tāwhiti Access Track is notable for its starting point at the car park in the Waimakariri Basin, its limestone landscape and its cultural significance. These differences help you consider the two hiking destinations according to what matters to you: how long and how far is the walk—or which landscape and cultural context appeals to you?

Cultural history and a clear access restriction

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a notable tourist attraction and is associated with the early Pākehā settlers of the Mackenzie Basin. It is privately owned and not open to the public. This restriction is important when planning your trip if you want to include the site as part of your interest in regional culture. The Canterbury Museum offers another perspective on Canterbury’s history: it first opened to the public in 1867 in the premises of the Canterbury Provincial Council. This date refers to that historical milestone, not to current opening hours. Together, the two examples show different aspects of regional history: a church’s association with early settlers and the beginning of a museum’s public access.

A culinary highlight in Kaikōura

Local food can also play a part in planning your trip. In Kaikōura, in the northern part of Canterbury, crayfish is served at roadside barbecue stalls and as crayfish burgers. This gives you a specific food to look out for if you’re interested in local cuisine. Offerings and individual vendors may change, so check locally whether the option you want is available.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mackenzie District, Kaikoura District, Christchurch, Hurunui District, Selwyn District, Ashburton District, Waimakariri District, Timaru District, Arthur's Pass, West Melton, Governors Bay, Hunter, Waimate District, Pleasant Point, Temuka, Peel Forest, Maungati, Rakaia, Waiau, Diamond Harbour, Culverden, Hororata, Kaiapoi, Burnham, Tai Tapu, Waipara, Swannanoa, Lincoln University, Mount Peel, Little River, Waikari, Ferniehurst, Ashburton Lakes, Springfield, Oxford, Staveley, Glenavy, Loburn, Lake Pearson, West Eyreton, Southburn.

For the broader travel overview: New Zealand.