Planning Your Time

Take at least three days to explore the Canterbury region. A full day in the city only skims the surface. An overnight trip to Hanmer, Arthur's Pass, or to Akaroa gives you a taste of the hinterland. Waipara and Hanmer Springs can be visited when heading north to Kaikoura or Nelson. Arthur's Pass is on the main road to the West Coast, and Timaru and Geraldine are on the main routes south to Dunedin and Queenstown.