Christchurch
Christchurch city is located midway down the East Coast of the South Island, just north of Banks Peninsula.
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city. It’s a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and
award-winning attractions.

Main Centres
Christchurch - the South Island's largest city and provincial city for Canterbury
Lyttelton - main Banks Peninsula town and port of Christchurch

Canterbury
The Canterbury Region includes a large central portion of the East Coast of the South Island, centred around the city of Christchurch.
From the silvery beaches of the East Coast to the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps, the Canterbury landscape is impossible to ignore. Big scenery is the order of the day - huge panoramas of ocean or mountains, great sweeps of pastureland, massive amounts of sky. It’s easy to be awestruck - but if you want to be totally flabbergasted, take a hot air balloon ride. The experience of floating across the Canterbury Plains with the majesty of the Southern Alps behind you will ingrain itself on your memory forever.

Main Centres
Christchurch - the largest city in the South Island
Kaikoura - translated from Maori means 'a place for eating crayfish'
Hanmer Springs - a peaceful alpine village
Timaru - features significant Maori rock art collections
Lake Tekapo - beautiful lakeside town
Methven - gateway to Mount Hutt
Akaroa - attractive village with a French history
Darfield - gateway to the Southern Alps and a key stop on Inland Scenic Route 72