CHRISTCHURCH TO QUEENSTOWN

This region brings in the majority of the South island, with the focus around Christchurch and West Coast.

The main geographical features are the Southern Alps, running up the island like a spine and the attendant rivers and lakes.

The Southern Alps is a focus and provides the backdrop wherever you are.  Not only does it provide superb skiing in winter and great hikking opportunities but also taking chartered flights along the spine, around the mountains to land on the glaciers is not to missed.

North of Christchurch at Kaikoura, you can go whale watching.  These giants of the deep are close in-shore and can be viewed from a boat or from the air.

The rivers that cross the plains are there for the fishermen.  Salmon and trout just waiting for you to arrive.

Around Christchurch are two golf resorts, both outstanding and both different.  These are complemented by a number of good standard club courses each giving their own challenge.

Clearwater Resort close to Christchurch city is has the highest course rating in New Zealand and hosts the NZ PGA, an event on the second tier PGA Tour.

Terrace Downs High Country Resort is in the foothills of the Southern Alps not far from the Mt Hutt ski field.  This long, interesting and challenging course boasts one of the best layouts and has a superb playing surface.

The club courses worth a visit in clude the Shirley links and Russley.  Both are in good order and a golfing challenge.

Link to Canterbury Website

For something different, take the Alpine Express from Christchurch to the West Coast of the South Island. This area is different - from the pancake rocks to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, you will get a different perspective of New Zealand. 

Around Christchurch are small wine regions which produce unique and good quality wines.  These wineries are well worth a visit.

You can experience the uniqueness of this region when you take your ExtravagaNZa golf tour through to Queenstown.