Kaikoura, Christchurch and Canterbury
Giant sperm whales are the year-round stars of the show. Other ‘locals’ include seals, dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Migrating whales along with Orca are regular visitors in these waters. Experience getting close to these ‘locals’ on guided boat trips, or take to the skies and view the whale rising from the deep, its full length visible for a few minutes, before diving again. This is your chance to don a wetsuit and literally swim with dolphins and snorkel with seals. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on the New Zealand mainland.
Christchurch is an elegant garden city with a rather English feel. Punts drift down the tree lined Avon River which meanders through the city, there are fine examples of gothic stone architecture, and a renovated tram trundles around the city centre. Huge oaks and maples provide shade in the numerous parks during the hot summer days. The impressive old University is a hub of arts and crafts, theatres, cafes and a colourful weekend market. Be careful the legendary wizard of Cathedral Square doesn’t put a spell on you. As a jump off point for Antarctica, there’s a dedicated museum to the frozen continent and impressive USAF Sarlifters can be seen at the airport. Nearby are beaches and the charm of the Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. Akaroa retains its feel as an early French settlement with French street names and quaint historic buildings.
Canterbury is a mosaic of contrasts. Its expansive fertile plains are a patchwork of colour crossed by wide braided rivers. These tumble from the snow crested Southern Alps, which form the backbone of the South Island, and run to the Pacific Ocean. A number of passes will take you on a scenic journey over the Alps to the wild west coast, to ski fields, mountain lakes or to luxurious Hanmer Springs thermal resort. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is a popular attraction for its magnificent vistas of the country’s highest mountain. Nearby is Lake Tekapo – a remarkable turquoise coloured lake – and home of the famous Church of the Good Shepherd where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps. Sparsely populated, driving is a scenic dream where autumn, in particular, brings out a glorious array of colour.
Highlights:
· Take a whale watching boat or flight
· Nibble on a crayfish lunch from one of the many roadside caravans
· Stroll through Hagley park, and punt on the Avon River
· Dine on the Restaurant Tramway, whilst travelling the cities street.
· Hot air balloon over the Canterbury Plain
· Take advantage of the thermal pools at Hanmer Springs
· Seek out ‘French’ Akaroa on the scenic Banks Peninsula
