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10 Underrated Places to Visit in Canterbury

Article Single Pages© NZPocketGuide.com
Article Single Pages© NZPocketGuide.com
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The Hidden Gems of the Canterbury Region

Stretched between snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Canterbury is one of the largest regions in New Zealand. But the main focus on the area is only limited to a few places like Lake Tekapo, featured on about half of New Zealand’s postcards, and Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. However, the region hides many secret spots and small villages that deserve to be explored! Water adventures, Lord of the Rings locations, mountain biking trails, and more: get out and discover this magnificent region with this list of 10 underrated places to visit in Canterbury.

For more things to do in Canterbury, New Zealand, check out 6 Essential Pitstops for Your South Canterbury Road Trip.

1. Hakatere Conservation Park

Lodged between the Rakaia and the Rangitata rivers, the 69,000-hectare (170,503-acre) park features a stunning mountain range overlooking golden prairies and peaceful lakes. This is a paradise for any tramper or camper looking to get off the beaten track. What’s more, Mt Sunday, which stands in the middle of the area, is a Lord of the Rings filming location for Edoras.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Twizel

With the Southern Alps in the background, the little town of Twizel offers a view like no other, especially when fishing in one of its many lakes. Mountain bikers will be served with heli drop options and the world-famous Alps 2 Ocean trail passing through. Plus, it’s another Lord of the Rings filming location! Learn more about the town in the 8 Fun Things to Do in Twizel.

Bernard Spragg. NZ on Flickr© Bernard Spragg. NZ on Flickr

3. Ashburton

As a mix between a city and a small town, Ashburton sits perfectly on the fence. On one hand, it is a great place to hide from the hustle-bustle of the big cities, and on the other, it has all the facilities of a decent-sized New Zealand city. Nearby Lake Hood is the place to be in summer. Check out some of the town’s attractions in the 7 Awesome Things to Do in Ashburton.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

4. Geraldine

The small village is a great base to explore the outdoor surroundings like the Talbot Forest. One must-do when staying there is hiking in the luxuriant Peel Forest, only a few minutes drive away from the village. Plus, white water rafting on the Rangitata River (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), horse trekking, canyoning and more can be done from this underrated place to visit in Canterbury. Check out more activities in the 10 Excellent Things to Do in Geraldine.

NZPocketGuide.com© PocketGuide.com

5. Methven and Mt Hutt

Fairly popular in winter for its famous Mt Hutt ski area and heli-ski option, Methven becomes deserted in summer giving the mountain bikers a free pass to explore the mountain. The downhill tracks and forest runs are a blast and the gorgeous view only makes it better. Learn more about the area in the 10 Amazing Things to Do in Methven.

10 Underrated Places to Visit in Canterbury© NZPocketGuide.com

6. Temuka

Amateurs of crowd-free camping will get some good practice here! The several rivers around Temuka make it hard to choose where to set camp for the night. The Opihi River Stop Bank Track is a good start as it is an easy track to hike or bike. Learn more in the 6 Fun Things to Do in Temuka.

Phillip Capper on Wikipedia© Phillip Capper on Wikipedia

7. Mt Somers

Where to start? Maybe with outdoor ice-skating on a frozen lake in the forest? Or maybe wild white water rafting? And what about a sunrise on sparkling lakes? Should I keep going or did you get that the Mt Somers area is simply unmissable? So many questions!

Phillip Capper on Flickr© Phillip Capper on Flickr

8. Rakaia

The stunning Rakaia Gorge can be explored by jet boat, but the town is mostly known as the… “Salmon Capital of New Zealand”?! After crossing the longest bridge of the Southern Hemisphere you will even be greeted by a giant salmon! Fishing is obviously a must-do here.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Timaru

Home of one of New Zealand’s biggest breweries, DB Brewery, the town features several easy-to-access walking and biking tracks. Caroline Bay also offers a great walk to unwind and reflect on all the adventures that you’ve been through during your gap year in New Zealand. Come to Caroline Bay at dusk and you’ll see little blue penguins returning to shore. Find out more in Where to Find Penguins in New Zealand and 10 Amazing Things to Do in Timaru.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Waimate

Gateway to the incredible Waitaki Lakes, Waiamate is New Zealand’s classic rural town. Fun little cafes, a couple of churches, a few walking trails, a Saturday market, and a few questionable “historic sites”. That’s how life is lived in the New Zealand countryside. Enjoy! Learn more about the town in the 10 Wonderful Things to Do in Waimate.

Andrew Cooper on Wikipedia© Andrew Cooper on Wikipedia

More About in Canterbury

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

Contact Laura About Our Team

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