Christchurch
with a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is
the South Island’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small
town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the
expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and
numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s
hard to beat.
Christchurch has hundreds of entertainment and activity ideas to suit the family – the gondola ride to the top of the Port Hills is a must, while
Black Cat Cruises
from Lyttelton Harbour are ideal for a fun filled family day out. The
kids can learn to climb, kayak or make a splash in one of the great
leisure centres or for a unique feel of Christchurch the family can
take a ride by tram, hire a boat on the River Avon or cycle the easy
going and very scenic
Rail Trail. Indoor
attractions including the uniquely themed indoor golf course at Caddyshack City, a visit to the Christmas Shop, any time of year, Go Kart racing
or visiting one of Christchurch’s varied and fun museums.
Check out our
Walks and Parks section for some of Christchurch’s top family recreation areas.
The Kidz Go Christchurch section includes family friendly information on
Akaroa, Methven and Ashburton.
North Canterbury
- you may hear the north Canterbury region referred to as the Alpine
Pacific Triangle – this route starts just north of Christchurch and
takes in the inland resort town of
Hanmer Springs, and the coastal town of
Kaikoura, plus the roads and townships between these locations.
South Canterbury and the Aoraki District - follow the main road south from Christchurch and the first towns you’ll pass through are Ashburton and Timaru.
Head
west and you’ll find the unique inland farming towns of Geraldine and
Fairlie as the landscape in front of you becomes more engaging and the
peaks of the Southern Alps get closer.The jewel in the Southern Alps
crown is, of course, NZ’s tallest peak – the
3754m/12315ft Mount
Cook. Look out for for your first glimpse from the shores of the
turquoise Lake Pukaki. The towns and countryside, from beach to
mountains, make up the region known as Aoraki District.
Aoraki is a Maori word for Mount Cook, meaning ‘cloud piercer’.
We
don’t want to complicate things, but in case you see the regions and
wonder, Aoraki is further split into the three districts known as
Timaru (south of Christchurch), Waimate (further south) and Mackenzie
(inland).
Canterbury Home 
