Best Canterbury road trip: South Island adventures

If you’re looking to check out some of the most amazing sights that New Zealand has to offer, then a Canterbury road trip should be top of your to-do list. This region offers a true taste of what this incredible place has to offer, boasting some of the country’s most unforgettable attractions.

To top it off, there are some great scenic driving routes you can follow to truly soak up Canterbury’s natural beauty. What are you waiting for? It’s time to pack those bags and check out these 7 places you can’t miss along the way!

Best road trip around Canterbury: 7 places you can’t miss

Total distance: about 722km | Recommended days: from 7 to 9 days | Best time to do the route: between December and February | See route in Google Maps

1. Christchurch

With its easy access and central location, Christchurch is a great place to start your Canterbury road trip! Plan a couple of days in this charming city, be it at the beginning and end of your trip.

Start off with a hit of adrenaline at Adrenaline Forest where you can zipline, head on the flying fox, and so much more, all at different levels. You can also head to Orana Wildlife Park, visit the Avon River, check out Quake City, picnic in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and of course, make some time for the Christchurch Gondola.

Then organise campervan hire in Christchurch to set out on the open road and explore the rest of this remarkable region!

1. Oxford

This rural town has so much to offer, you’ll find yourself struggling to leave at the end. It’s located at the bottom of the Southern Alps, and is the perfect place for anyone who adores being outdoors!

Start off with a hike in the Oxford Forest, where you can choose from several different trails, all catering to different fitness levels. If you prefer to explore the wilderness on wheels, there are also plenty of bike tracks for you to explore.

Make some time to walk around town and do one of the seven walks on offer. From historical town buildings to native bush, there’s a little bit of everything for you to check out. You can also soak up a little art at the local art galleries, including Arts in Oxford, Oxford Cottage Crafts and the Creative Glass Studio.

3. Methven

If you’re visiting in the colder months, then this is the perfect winter sports town for you to spend some quality time launching into a number of outdoor activities! But, there is also plenty on offer at other times of the year as well.

Venture over to the stunning lakes and take a hike along the water’s edge while soaking up the views. One of the most popular is Lake Coleridge, where you can fish, go boating or take a horse trek along the lake. If you’re up for more walking, then head to Mt Hutt Forest (the perfect place to ski in winter), where you can go on one of many walks through the forest. There’s also the Methven Walkway, which is a three-hour loop taking you through the highlights of the area.

Washpen Falls offers an amazing walk through, with plenty of birdlife for you to spot on the way. If you keep walking, you’ll come to a lagoon with a rowboat that anyone can use. Quite the experience! If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at shooting, then head to Newzengland, where you can take clay shooting and archery lessons.

4. Geraldine

Put those hiking boots on and head straight to the Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve, which is the perfect way to check out some of the scenery in the area, with plenty of spots to stop for a picnic. You can also opt for a four-legged walk with Peel Forest Horse Trekking, taking you through the forest to check out the history of the area.

The animal adventures don’t stop there. You can take alpacas for a walk along the Waihi River, just for something a little bit different. You can then drop by The Tin Shed for a spot of local shopping, with Merino possum knitwear, and plenty of local skincare products.

Rangitata white water rafting is the perfect experience for those after more thrill-seeking activities. Or head to Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum which has more than 1,400 items in its collection for you to brush up on!

5. Lake Tekapo

This small town is packed full of amazing places to explore. Begin your visit at the Tekapo Springs where you can choose from three different pools, all set to a balmy 36+ degrees Celcius to be enjoyed all year round. Make sure you don’t miss the Mackenzie Sheepdog Statue, erected in 1968 as a tribute to Tekapo’s founding father, James Mackenzie and his dog ‘Friday’.

If you’re there at the right time of year, then you won’t want to miss the town’s most photographed attraction: the lupins on the lakeshore. A stunning purple colour, people literally flock to these flowers to have their photos taken. Just a short drive away you’ll find Lake Alexandrina, which is one of those hidden gems with breathtaking scenery!

At night, enjoy a spot of stargazing. Lake Tekapo is one of the only Dark Sky Reserves in New Zealand, making it the perfect place to settle back and lose yourself at nighttime.

6. Aoraki

Aoraki or Mount Cook National Park is one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand. You definitely won’t want to leave! Here are just some of the different ways you can spend your time there.

Start by hiking the Hooker Valley Track, which is 10 kilometres return and suited to most walking levels. Walk to the Mueller Lake Viewpoint, where you can sit back and enjoy some incredible views at the end, surrounded by mountains. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which is a tribute to the explorer and founder of the region.

Don’t forget to stop off for the famous Mount Cook Road Photo, with the iconic destination behind you, appearing to sit at the end of the road. Make time for a swim at The Blue Lakes, where you can even take a dip.

7. Ashburton

Nicknamed ‘New Zealand’s Granary’, this is the perfect place to end your Canterbury road trip. Plan a day at Lake Hood, which is a popular spot amongst locals and tourists, where you can go swimming, boating water skiing and more.

There’s plenty to check out at the Ashburton Domain, where you can simply wander through the walkways and explore the plants, wildlife and more in the area. Stop at the Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre, the Ashburton Aviation Museum and go shopping at Ashford Village.

Check out some more Ashburton camping grounds!

Organise your road trip with Camplify

Once you sort out campervan hire in Canterbury, it’s time to pop these seven amazing sights into your Google Maps and make the most of your road trip!

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