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 Facts - Follow the main road south from Christchurch and the first towns you’ll pass through are Ashburton and Timaru. Head west and you’ll find the unique inland farming towns of Geraldine and Fairlie as the landscape in front of you becomes more engaging and the peaks of the Southern Alps get closer. The jewel in the Southern Alps crown is, of course, NZ’s tallest peak – the 3754m/12315ft Mount Cook. Look out for for your first glimpse from the shores of the turquoise Lake Pukaki. The towns and countryside, from beach to mountains, make up the region known as Aoraki District. Aoraki is a Maori word for Mount Cook, meaning ‘cloud piercer’. Geraldine - you’ll find dozens of reasons to stop for a while around Geraldine – the town itself was established in 1854 and today it’s a prosperous farming area with sheep, cattle, deer, cows, cropping and fruit growing in abundance. Geraldine’s tree-lined streets and beautiful old buildings give the town a pleasant ‘old-world’ atmosphere but there’s nothing old-fashioned about the cuisine. In the last few years Geraldine has come into its own when it comes to fabulous café food, pub gardens, home made cheeses and chocolates, wine bars and local fruit products. Pleasant Point - Just 20 minutes drive from Geraldine or Temuka, this is a small, friendly township. Highlight is the town’s museum and fully restored and functioning steam locomotive as well as the world’s only Ford Model T railcar. Look out for Pleasant Point family events, such as ‘Friends of Thomas’ or visit anytime and take a ride on the steam train or railcar. Timaru - a vibrant town with an Edwardian heart, a mountain backdrop and sweeping beaches. The beachfront has a traditional flavour with promenades, playground and picnic areas, making it an ideal family stop off. Other activities include dolphin watching cruise, climbing, biking, the South Canterbury Museum with its famous Maori rock art, mini golf, maze and ice skating. Aoraki Mount Cook - see the landscape change drastically - from the flat plains of Canterbury’s farmland to the rugged Southern Alps. Leave the beach behind and experience instead the stunning turquoise waters of Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. The highlight of this road has to be the stunning view of the 3754m/12315ft Mount Cook, from the shores of Lake Pukaki. There’s plenty of accommodation in Mount Cook village, or nearby Tekapo or Twizel, and plenty of outdoor activity.SOUTH CANTERBURY FAMILY ACCOMMODATION We've researched dozens of accommodation options for your family travel to New Zealand. Whether you're heading for a hotel, campground, holiday park, motel, holiday home, self catering apartments or kiwi farmstay, we list options that welcome famiiles. Check out our great 'family stuff' pages for heaps of extras offered by the accommodation on these pages. NOTE Where nightly rates have been specified, these are minimum prices based on accommodation for 2 adults plus one extra. Prices do vary, depending on the time of year, length of stay and seasonal offers. This is a guide only. All establishments recommend booking ahead. We advise you to personally contact establishments for up to date information to suit the accommodation needs of your family. South Canterbury Apartments South Canterbury Motels South Canterbury Hotels South Canterbury Holiday Parks and Campgrounds South Canterbury Holiday Homes South Canterbury Farmstays South Canterbury Bed and Breakfasts |
