Christchurch / Canterbury Region
Area Overview
The Christchurch and Canterbury Region
Centrally positioned in middle South
Island on the east coast, the Christchurch and Canterbury Region is the most
populated area in the South Island. The city of Christchurch [pop. 367,700] is
the main centre of both Canterbury and the South Island.
The province of Canterbury is bordered
on its western front by the formidable and spectacular Southern Alps, whilst on
the northern boundary the internationally recognised towns of Kaikoura and
Hanmer Springs. To the south is the Mackenzie Country with the impressive and
iconic Mount Cook, and the smaller farming towns of Timaru and Asburton.
The Canterbury Region has the only
international airport into the South Island [although there are infrequent
flights into Queenstown from Australia]. This makes Christchurch a central hub
to for the tourism industry and its 1.3million international visitors per year.
The other access points to the region comprise of both mountain passes [Arthur’s Pass, Lewis Pass and the Lindis Pass]
and coastal access from the north and south on State Highway 1.
Canterbury offers a wide range of attractions; from the English orientated garden city of Christchurch to the
French seaside settlement of Akaroa, with world famous whale watching and
thermal hot pools in the north to alpine activities to the west and the south.
Canterbury is a must see for any traveller looking to discover the South Island of New Zealand.
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