What to do there

Take a hot air balloon ride - with the province’s magnificent vistas there is magic in the air as you float though clear blue sky and experience the vastness of the Canterbury Plains, with their stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps. Kaikoura, a leisurely two-hour drive north of Christchurch offers wonderful coastal scenery where fur seals frolic in the sea or sunbathe on the rocks just metres from the shore. Take a trip out on the ocean and check out the dusky and Hector's dolphins, sometimes you might be lucky enough to see giant sperm whales. Even better, take a plane ride and see the whales from the air, a magnificent sight. Not far from Kaikoura is the scenic alpine and thermal village of Hanmer Springs. Since 1859 this spa town has attracted visitors seeking to relax, unwind and ease their aches and pains in the soothing mineral waters. In Canterbury there is everything from skiing, mountain biking, forest walks, river rafting and bungy jumping, or you can take time out to discover the winemakers of the beautiful Waipara Valley. The TranzAlpine is a spectacular train journey that takes you from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast. Inland from Christchurch and only an hour away are the magnificent Southern Alps. The thriving towns of Ashburton and Timaru also have plenty to offer, particularly for petrol heads with a Wheels Week and international motor racing.

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