Canterbury Excursions

If you prefer to see Christchurch and its surrounding area on a guided excursion, you'll find several tour companies ready to show you the sights. Since not all tours operate the year around, be sure to check at the Canterbury Information Centre, the Government Tourist Bureau, or other travel agencies for information on available excursions.

Visitors who want to explore the area on their own can head southeast across the Port Hills to Lyttelton or make a loop around the Banks Peninsula. To the north you'll find the scenic Kaikoura Coast and Hanmer Springs, a spa in the forest. Routes take motorists west across the Southern Alps or south over the Canterbury Plains.

Walkers will want to ask about the Christchurch area's excellent network of trails, many of them part of the N.Z. Walkways system. Trails winding through the Port Hills offer hikers spectacular views of the city, harbor, plains, and mountains.

Superb views from the Summit Road

Winding high above the city along the crest of the Port Hills, the Summit Road offers magnificent vistas northward over Christchurch and checkered plains to the snow capped Southern Alps, eastward over Lyttelton and its harbor encased in the crater of an extinct volcano.

From the seaside community of Sumner, you climb to Evans Pass to meet the Summit Road as it snakes for 26 km/16 miles along the hills overlooking Lyttelton Harbour some 300 meters/1,000 feet below. A southern section continues from Dyers Pass Road (at the Sign of the Kiwi teahouse) along the western side of the harbor to Gebbies Pass.

Lyttelton. South Island's leading port, Lyttelton is connected with Christchurch by road and rail tunnels. Wooden houses cling to the steep streets above the har bor. Along the waterfront, cargo handlers service docked freighters, and weekend yachtsmen ready their boats for sailing the sheltered bays. Commuter launch service links Lyttelton and DiaMond Harbour on weekdays, and launch cruises leave Lyttelton every afternoon.

A quartet of 19th century churches adds historic interest. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons you can see displays on the historic port and its ships at Lyttelton's museum, centrally located on Gladstone Quay.

The Canterbury Pilgrims who came ashore at Lyttelton in 1850 followed a zigzag bridle path across the Port Hills to found their colony on the plains. Today, walkers still enjoy the old Bridle Path trail, and hundreds make a nostalgic trek between Lyttelton and Christchurch annually on the Sunday nearest December 16.

Roadhouses. Along the route are three old stone roadhouses offering shelter to travelers. Best known is the Sign of the Takahe, overlooking the city from the Cashmere Hills. Modeled after a medieval baronial manor, this showplace has richly ornamented ceilings, wood carvings, intricate stonework, and colorful murals. You can stop for a meal or tea here.

Light refreshments are also available at the Sign of the Kiwi, located on Coronation Hill at the junction of Summit and Dyers Pass roads. The third roadhouse the Sign of the Bellbird serves no refreshments.

Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula

Set apart both geographically and geologically from the rest of Canterbury, the Banks Peninsula offers a relaxing retreat about 1 and half hours southeast of Christchurch. Contrasting dramatically with the placid Canterbury Plains, the peninsula was formed by two extinct volcanoes whose collapsed craters now hold the splendid natural harbors of Lyttelton and Akaroa.

The road to Akaroa. From Christchurch, Highway 75 heads south through farming country to the peninsula. Lake Ellesmere, a shallow coastal lagoon, supports great flocks of waterfowl. The narrow, winding road snakes through the peninsula's green and golden hills past farmhouses and cottages tucked into folded valleys.

Cutting deeply into the eroded old volcanic cones are narrow bays, some of them used in the 1830s by whaling parties. From the main route, steep side roads lead down to these unpeopled inlets Port Levy's protected harbor, Pigeon Bay and its campground, and Little Akaloa with its unusual church embellished with Maori style carvings. At Barry's Bay, visitors can watch the traditional cheesemaking process at Settlers Farmhouse Cheese Factory.

Other roads lead to Okains Bay, known for its beach and museum; Le Bons Bay and its sports ground; and Peraki's historic whaling site.

Akaroa village with a French flavor. New Zealand's first French settlers landed at Akaroa in 1840 nearly a decade before the colonial settlements at Dunedin and Christchurch and the village keeps alive its Gallic heritage. Located 84 km/52 miles from Christchurch, New Zealand's most English city, Akaroa is a popular spot for midsummer and weekend holidays. Accommodations are available at Akaroa Village Resort and at several small motels and hotels. You'll enjoy the village's unique charm more if you, visit on a weekday or out of season.

Along the waterfront you'll see whalers' pots and the early customs house, but to sample Akaroa's real charm, stroll along the side streets above the harbor. Spreading trees shade wooden Victorian cottages, and decorative fences enclose flourishing gardens of subtropical flowers. Attractive small churches invite worshippers. One of the settlement's earliest buildings is the Langlois Eteveneaux House and Museum; the two room cottage is furnished in 1840s style. Open from 1:30 to 5 P.m. daily, it also houses the town's information center.

From the waterfront, you can walk up wooded glades to the surrounding hills for views over the town and harbor.

Exploring North Canterbury

From Christchurch, Highway I curves north, paralleling the coast and cutting across the rolling hills and lush river valleys of North Canterbury. Side roads lead to coastal beaches bordering Pegasus Bay.

An all day loop from Christchurch takes you through farmlands to the dramatic gorges of the Ashley and Waimakariri rivers. You'll find pleasant picnic and swimming areas along both rivers. In season, there's good salmon and trout fishing. If you're interested in a raft trip or jet boat excursion up the Waimakariri River, inquire at one of the tourist information offices in Christchurch.

At Waipara, Highway 7 branches inland toward Hanmer Springs. Anglers find good fishing in the Hurunui and Waiau rivers. Highway 7 continues across Lewis Pass to the West Coast .

South Island's principal thermal resort, Hanmer blossomed as a spa in the late 19th century. Today visitors come not only to bathe in the hot springs but also to enjoy crisp mountain air and forest walks. An easy 1and 1/2 to 2 hour drive north of Christchurch, Hanmer sits on a high plateau ringed by mountain spurs of the Southern Alps. Forestry workers here tend one of the country's largest and most varied tree plantations.

In town, the thermal pools of Queen Mary Hospital are open daily; bring your bathing suit and a towel.

Walkers and hikers can take Jollie's Pass Road from the center of town to Hanmer Forest Park. At the trail information center, ask for a descriptive leaflet with a map of the trails, which vary from easy nature walks to strenuous day long treks. In autumn, the woods are bright with color. For views over the forest and Waiau Plain, take the zigzag trail from Conical Hill Road to the summit.

Recreation opportunities abound in the Hanmer district. Tennis courts, a golf course, and a putting green are within walking distance of town. From Hanmer, you can arrange for horseback trips through the countryside and for expeditions into the rugged hill country by fourwheel drive vehicle. Anglers find good fishing in nearby rivers, boaters enjoy Tennyson and Horseshoe lakes, and skiers head for nearby Amuri Skifield.

The Kaikoura coast

Scenery ranging from verdant farmlands to spectacular panoramas awaits travelers following the coastal roadHighway 1 between Christchurch and Picton.