WHERE TO STAY
Make Christchurch your base and explore the surrounding Canterbury region for a few days. There are an abundance of hotels and hostels in Christchurch, so no matter your budget you’ll be able to find something that suits. Once you’ve stayed in Christchurch a few nights you can branch out a little. Why not stay in a glasshouse in the middle of the wilderness? Or go glamping in the New Zealand countryside. The choice is yours.
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OUR FOUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCES
There’s a lot to take in here. Here are our top four things to see and do near Christchurch. Stargazing, fine dining, waterfalls and glasshouses — they’re all good reasons to go on holiday.
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1. SPEND THE NIGHT IN A PUREPOD
Fancy spending a night under the stars in your own private glasshouse? We thought you would. The completely isolated, sustainable PurePods are scattered around New Zealand, each with walls, a floor and ceiling made of heavy-duty glass. Book in at the Little River PurePod and enjoy 360-degree views while you immerse yourself in the beautiful New Zealand landscape.
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2. DINE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS ROOTS RESTAURANT
The award-winning Roots Restaurant is not to be missed. The 2015 Restaurant of the Year is an intimate 30-seater eatery serving food fresh from the kitchen garden and local growers and farmers. Try one of the five, eight or 12-course degustation menus and bask in the glory of this prestigious eatery.
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3. EXPLORE THE ARTHUR’S PASS WALKING TRACK
Wander between creeks, valleys and scenery in Arthur’s Pass National Park until you find the Devils Punchbowl Falls — a 112-metre-high waterfall plunging through native bush. The Arthur’s Pass Walking Track is seven kilometres return, but there are a multitude of shorter walks you can take, if you’re up for more of a relaxed hiking adventure.
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4. LOOK UP AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S DARKEST SKIES
Mackenzie is home to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — the perfect place for a bit of stargazing. At Big Sky Stargazing you’ll sit down for an astronomy lesson at the planetarium and use telescopes, astronomy binoculars and your own eyes to look up at constellations and enjoy spectacular, peaceful views.