Christchurch, Canterbury and West Coast
Key Themes “Mountains to the Sea” The Garden City - gateway to the South Island Mt Aoraki / Mt Cook Marine Eco-tourism Greenstone/Pounamu (NZ jade) Glacier Country Spectacular scenic rail journeys
West Coast Christchurch & Canterbury
Tranz Coastal Tranz Alpine Rail - TranzScenic
Christchurch and Canterbury
Key Points - Christchurch/Canterbury Christchurch International Airport, gateway into South Island and New Zealand Key Tips Comfortable driving distances Visitors can surf and ski in the same day Smaller centres have domestic airports
Christchurch Garden City: known as most English city in New Zealand International Gateway Rich in Maori and Colonial heritage Close to ski fields
Kaikoura: North Canterbury Eco Tourism Spectacular marine wildlife activity Whale Watch Swim with dolphins
Hanmer Springs and Waipara Wine Region (North Canterbury) Hanmer has variety of walk and mountain bike tracks Waipara wineries Bungy jump or jet boat After a full day, soak in Hanmer Springs thermal pools
Itinerary suggestion for North Canterbury Day One & Two: Arrive Christchurch and spend two days exploring the city and surrounding centres Day Three: Depart Christchurch through Waipara on the Alpine Triangle Highway to Hanmer Springs. Day Four: Depart Hanmer for Kaikoura Day Five: Return to Christchurch or continue north to Marlborough region
Mid and South Canterbury Ski Fields Mackenzie Country Waimate Omarama Aoraki
Suggested Itinerary: Christchurch – Queenstown - Waimate Day one:Christchurch to Mt Hutt Day two:Mt Hutt to Mckenzie Country and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Day three: Depart Mt Cook for Queenstown. Day four: Queenstown to Waimate Day five: Waimate return to Christchurch
The West Coast
West Coast TranzAlpine train from Christchurch - Greymouth 3 1/2 hours drive to Christchurch - 40 minute flight Situated on West Coast Drive and Alpine Traverse
West Coast - Key Tips Visitors will require a minimum of one day one night to explore the West Coast. Must see experiences: Punakaiki blowholes, Pounamu, magnificent rainforests, giant glaciers, scenic flight. If visitors are on the West Coast during March the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival is a must.
West Coast Amazing rainforests Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowhole formations Maruia Thermal Hot Springs
West Coast – Greymouth & Hokitika Greymouth: Base to begin West Coast journey. Arrival and Departure on Trans Alpine. Hokitika: Pounamu: New Zealand Jade. Arts and Craft workshops.
West Coast - Glacier Country Glaciers surrounded by lush rainforests
West Coast Self Drive Itinerary Day One: Greymouth to Karamea and Westport Day Two: Karamea to Pancake Rocks and Punakaiki Day Three: Punakaiki to Fox Glaciers Day Four: Fox Glacier to Haast From Haast continue to Wanaka or Queenstown
Events January: World Buskers Festival February: Food and Wine Festival of Canterbury March: Hokitika Wild Foods Festival April: Christchurch International Jazz Festival October: Kaikoura Seafest
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