Canterbury High Country

Stretching from the Southern Alps to the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains, the Canterbury High Country is a vast, raw landscape of tussock-covered hills, glacial lakes, and sky-piercing peaks. This is New Zealand's big-sky country, where the air is crisp, the light is sharp, and the silence is broken only by the wind and the cry of a kea. For travellers on a South Island road trip, the High Country offers a dramatic shift from the West Coast's rainforests to a drier, golden-hued world of high-country stations and alpine adventures. Whether you're hiking a mountain pass, soaking in a natural hot pool, or simply pulling over to watch the light change over a turquoise lake, this is a place that rewards those who linger.

Highlights & What to See

• Lake Tekapo – The milky turquoise waters, fed by glacial flour, are framed by the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. Stay for the dark-sky reserve stargazing.
• Mount Cook Village & Aoraki/Mount Cook – New Zealand's highest peak dominates the horizon. Hike the Hooker Valley Track for close-up glacier views and icebergs.
• Lake Pukaki – Pull over at the viewpoint on State Highway 80 for the classic postcard shot of Aoraki reflected in the impossibly blue lake.
• Mackenzie Basin – Explore the vast tussock plains and high-country sheep stations. Stop at the tiny settlement of Twizel for a salmon lunch from the local farms.
• Hanmer Springs – A thermal resort town in the northern High Country, perfect for a soak after hiking or biking the nearby trails.
• Arthur's Pass National Park – The mountain pass linking the West Coast to Canterbury offers dramatic alpine walks, kea spotting, and the chance to see the Otira Viaduct.

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate at least three to four days to properly experience the Canterbury High Country. This allows for a relaxed loop from Christchurch or Queenstown, with stops at Tekapo, Pukaki, and Mount Cook Village. If you're driving from the West Coast via Arthur's Pass, you'll need a full day for the crossing and another for the lakes. For a deeper exploration, add a night in Hanmer Springs or a backcountry hike in the national parks. The region is best enjoyed at a slow pace – don't rush between viewpoints.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Christchurch – The gateway city, with its rebuilt central city, punting on the Avon, and the Port Hills.
• Queenstown – A four-hour drive south, offering adventure sports and lake scenery that contrasts with the High Country's vastness.
• West Coast Glaciers (Franz Josef & Fox) – Combine a High Country loop with a detour to the West Coast via Arthur's Pass or the Haast Pass for rainforest and glacier hikes.
• Banks Peninsula & Akaroa – A day trip from Christchurch for French-colonial charm, dolphin cruises, and coastal walks.
• Kaikōura – North of Christchurch, famous for whale watching and the seal colony at the peninsula.

Please check official sources for current details.