Sky's the limit in Canterbury

Step outside Christchurch for a world of breathtaking beauty and history, write STEVE HART and KAREN PHELPS.

Christchurch is definitely a place that visitors to the South Island should visit, but take a step outside the city into the surrounding Canterbury region and you can take your pick of a wide range of sights and activities.

To the east lies the Pacific Ocean, and the sheltered bays and sandy beaches of Banks Peninsula - excellent for boating, tramping and wineries. There's also the French settlers' harbourside village of Akaroa and the port township of Lyttelton.

Go west, past fertile plains and braided rivers, and you'll come across forested foothills, lakes and the magnificent Southern Alps, offering ski areas within an easy 90 minutes' drive from Christchurch.

You'll also find the districts of Selwyn and, heading south, Ashburton, known for their wineries, golf courses, high-country lakes and rivers.

South Canterbury and coastal Timaru are some of the least known treasures of the Canterbury region.

Art, culture and outdoor pursuits abound in this region and a couple of hours' drive inland from Timaru will take you to New Zealand's icon mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook and the world-famous beauty of the Mackenzie Basin's turquoise-coloured lakes.

Journey north of the city across the wide, braided rivers of the Waimakariri district and you can make a day trip to the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs, set among green rolling hills and forests.

Along the coast you'll find and long empty beaches, and the whale-watching centre of Kaikoura.

The big event of the next month is the Kaikoura Seafest on October 6.

It's one of the cornerstone events in Canterbury, attracting thousands of people - an annual celebration of the ocean and all it represents for Kaikoura.

Jane Leighs of Christchurch & Canterbury Marketing says that accommodation in Kaikoura on the night of October 6 is in high demand. An option is for visitors to stay in Christchurch and travel to the festival using a rental car or the TranzCoastal train.

The train leaves Christchurch at 7.30 am for the three-hour journey to Kaikoura and the return service leaves Kaikoura at 4.08 pm.

But even closer, just 45 minutes' drive north of Christchurch, is the Waipara Valley, tipped to be the next big thing in the wine industry. Pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc dominate local plantings, with a number of other varieties also grown here.

Waipara is home to around 20 of Canterbury's more than 30 wineries - many of which are open to the public and several of which also offer excellent food.

One of the big events this week is the Waipara Vintage Festival of steam trains and machinery. The event is held every two years, and this weekend trains, tractors, hovercraft and light aircraft will be on display.

Also in the region are the Athena olive groves. Tour the grove and the millhouse with its traditional Italian olive press - then sample the premium quality extra virgin olive oil.

To kill two birds with one stone, try the Weka Pass Railway, which takes a trip back in time on historic steam and diesel engines through limestone formations.

On the way to the Waipara Valley is the NorWester Cafe. Set in a renovated 1928 bungalow it brings the unique experience of cultured dining in a rural environment, serving local delicacies such as ostrich, cervena, duckling, hazelnuts, cheeses and artisan breads.

Akaroa (83km southeast of Christchurch) is Canterbury's oldest town. The earliest settlers here were French and German, and the French history is reflected in the street names and architecture.

Langlois-Eteveneaux Cottage at Akaroa Museum is probably the oldest building in Canterbury, as it was partly pre-built in France around 1846. It is furnished as the home of a French colonist. At the rear of the cottage is the museum, with displays reflecting Akaroa's history.

Akaroa and Banks Peninsula are also known as the home of Hectors dolphin, the smallest and rarest dolphin in the world.

Take a harbour cruise, go swimming with the dolphins, explore the arty little shops or simply relax on the beach.

Some ideas on what to see and do

* Barnstormers.

Take a flight on a biplane and ride the aerobatic roller-coaster or experience a breathtaking G-ride - go from zero to hero (or 160 km/h) in a matter of seconds.

Ph: (03) 341 8070

* International Antarctic Centre.

Dress in Antarctic gear, play in snow and traverse an adventure course in a Hagglund snowmobile.

Ph: (03) 3537798

* Ferrymead Historic Park.

Walk through an Edwardian township.

Ph: (03) 3841970

* Southern Encounter Aquarium.

Touch tank encounter, giant eels and carpet sharks, cascading waterfalls and divers feeding fish daily.

Ph: (03) 3590581

* Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing for full tourist information.

Ph: (03) 379 9629

* Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

Operates night-time tours so you can see many of New Zealand's nocturnal animals and birds, including kiwis, living in their natural environment.

Ph: (03) 3596226

* Birdland's Sanctuary.

Has more than 60 species of birds and beautiful grounds.

Ph: (03) 3251141

* Orana Wildlife Park.

New Zealand's largest wildlife reserve. Ph: (03) 3597109

* Air Force World.

Joy rides, flight simulators and 28 classic aircraft - a great day out.

Ph: (03) 343 9532

* Christchurch City Council.

Ph: (03) 379 1660

Getting there

Christchurch is about 75 minutes from Auckland International Airport.

Airlines serving Christchurch airport include:

Air New Zealand
Ph: 0800 737 000

Qantas

Ph: (09) 357 8900

Origin Pacific

Ph: 0800 302 302

Freedom Air

Ph: 0800 600 500

Links

The Waipara Vintage Festival
The Kaikoura Seafest

Gardenz. The South Island's premier garden show

Tranzrail