Just 85 kilometres from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, Akaroa is an historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, craft stores, and cafés. Relax in the sun at French Bay, or find a secluded beach of your own in one of the neighbouring bays. Head out onto the harbour, where scenic, fishing, and wildlife encounter cruises are available. Whether for the weekend or the week, there's an Akaroa Escape to suit your mood. more..

The walkway / cycleway passes through a spectacular landscape with a thousand years of human history. The rail trail passes through rural areas and settlements on the Canterbury Plains and skirts past the massive flanks of the ancient volcanoes which make up Banks Peninsula, hugging the shoreline of a vast lagoon, Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, and its smaller twin, Wairewa/Lake Forsyth. The lakes and associated rivers and wetlands are rich in wildlife and natural vegetation. more..

Lyttelton Harbour is a beautiful scenic harbour located right beside the city of Christchurch. It offers the visitor spectacular scenery, a fascinating Maori and European history and an abundance of recreational opportunities. You can experience Lyttelton Harbour for yourself by driving the short distance through the Lyttelton Road Tunnel or over the Port Hills. Colourful cafés, shops and bars, along with stunning Port and crater views, make Lyttelton a great place to get away from it all. more..

There is nowhere else in the world where you can experience so much, so easily and so accessibly. Voted the world’s best garden city, Christchurch is flanked by harbours to the south, plains and mountains to the north & west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. more..