Nature

Stargrazing in Kaikoura

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/stargraz-8da.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Enjoy the night sky with chairs and blankets while a Professional Astrophotographer shares with you the stories of the region and makes photos for you or get involved and bring your camera and make your own night sky photos all while enjoying hot drink and our gourmet picnic platter​​ and experience the World's darkest of skies with your naked eye and our camera, take home a digital astro selfie. </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Kaikōura</item> <item key="Distance From CHC Airport">>3 hrs</item> </list>

Nature

Geraldine Farm Tours

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/geraldin-76e.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Geraldine Farm Tours is a truly immersive experience - our guests get to taste, touch, see and feel what it is like to be a part of a working farm. Be a part of our farming story, share in our history and “yarns” and experience a very real, authentic NZ farm.  </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Timaru</item> <item key="Distance From CHC Airport">2 hrs</item> </list>

Nature

Top nature stays in the Central South Island

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/topnatur-1025.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> In the Central South, the best places to stay are defined by what’s outside the window: rainforest, mountains, coast, stars. These are stays for people who travel to soak up the sights and sounds nature shares. </paragraph> <title> Maruia Springs (Hurunui) </title> <paragraph> Thermal pools, forest sounds, no reception. Tucked deep in native forest near Lewis Pass, Maruia Springs is where people go to discover what wellness truly means. Natural thermal pools steam gently, native birds provide the melodies, and the day-to-day feels far away. Evenings are quiet and warmly lit, with nourishing food and peaceful night skies. Come here to disconnect properly. </paragraph> <title> Rainforest Retreat (West Coast – Franz Josef) </title> <paragraph> Set on the edge of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Rainforest Retreat places you in the heart of the forest. Literally. Wake up amongst towering trees, thick fern and misty skies that feel quietly dramatic. Choose a tree lodge or chalet and let the rainforest do the rest. You’re minutes from glaciers and forest walks, some of the region's greatest natural treasures. </paragraph> <title> Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat (Mackenzie) </title> <paragraph> Dark skies, sparkling water and room to breathe. Overlooking Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is all about scale. Expansive views by day, extraordinary skies after dark. The luxury high country station estate lets New Zealand’s tallest mountain, and the magnificent Mackenzie Basin take centre stage. Spend your evenings soaking in outdoor tubs as stars emerge one by one, indulging in the peace and stillness of it all. </paragraph> <title> Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses (Kaikōura) </title> <paragraph> Elevated luxury. Literally. Set between mountains and sea, Hapuku Lodge offers a rare balance of refinement and raw landscape. The tree houses rise above native manuka, opening out to sweeping views of the Kaikōura coast and ranges beyond. Your days might include coastal walks, whale sightings, or simply sitting on the deck with a good book. Evenings are calm and deeply comfortable. A place up high, for you to slow down. </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Central South Island</item> <item key="Itinerary">Overnight Stays</item> <item key="Distance">Varies (Multi-region)</item> <item key="Hours">Check-in Varies</item> <item key="Price">$$$–$$$$</item> </list>

Culture

Te Ana Māori Rock Art Tours

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/teanamor-9d4.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors on personalized guided tours to iconic Māori rock art sites, and immerse yourself in the history and culture of Ngāi Tahu at our tribal rock art centre, Te Ana </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Timaru</item> <item key="Distance From CHC Airport">2 hrs 30 mins</item> </list>

Adventure

Skydiving

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/skydivin-3d8.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush above some of the world's most iconic scenery. Jump from up to 20,000 feet above New Zealand’s highest peaks and freefall over snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and vast glaciers. As you soar through crisp alpine air, enjoy unmatched panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park before your parachute opens for a smooth, scenic descent. It’s an unforgettable blend of heart-pounding excitement and breathtaking natural beauty </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Mackenzie</item> <item key="Distance From CHC Airport">3 hrs 30 mins</item> </list>

Trail

Low-Effort Walks. Big Payoffs

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/loweffor-a3f.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Not every family hike has to end in complaints and snacks thrown to the birds. These short walks deliver a lot without taking all day. </break><bold>Godley Head Track</bold> (Christchurch) offers clifftop views, WWII bunkers to explore, and a breeze that wakes everyone up. Pack layers. Pack snacks. </paragraph> <paragraph> <bold>Caroline Bay Walkway</bold> (Timaru) is as easy as it gets — a flat, coastal loop with playgrounds, gardens and penguins if you time it right. </break>Over on the West Coast, <bold>Rakaitane Walk</bold> near Moana is a gem. A 45-minute loop through podocarp forest, across a swingbridge, and alongside the mirror-like <bold>Arnold River</bold>. </paragraph> <paragraph> Need a bit more action? Try <bold>Carew Falls Track</bold> at <bold>Lake Brunner</bold>. It’s short, shady, and leads to a proper waterfall — with giant boulders that double as nature’s recliners.</break> No whinging. No turn-around negotiations. Just good walks done right. </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Christchurch, Timaru & West Coast</item> <item key="Itinerary">30–60 Mins per Walk</item> <item key="Distance">Varies (Multi-region)</item> <item key="Hours">Daylight Hours</item> <item key="Price">Free</item> </list>

Nature

Scenic flights

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/scenicfl-586.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Experience a spectacular perspective of New Zealand’s alpine heart. Soar above turquoise lakes, braided rivers, and rugged mountain ranges, with breathtaking views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and its surrounding glaciers. From the air, the vast scale and beauty of the Southern Alps truly come to life. Whether by small plane or helicopter, these flights provide an unforgettable way to experience remote landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible - perfect for photography, adventure, and a once-in-a-lifetime aerial journey. </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Mackenzie</item> <item key="Distance From CHC Airport">3 hrs 30 mins</item> </list>

Eat & Drink

Kaikōura: Ocean to Plate (and Everything In Between)

<gallery> <image>https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NotAnother-NZ/na13-discover-different-assets/main/webp/kaikurao-1318.webp</image> </gallery> <gap-large/> <paragraph> Kaikōura is where the ocean sets the pace — for the tides, the wildlife, the food, and often your entire day. Everything here revolves around that deep trench just offshore, and the abundance it brings to the surface. </paragraph> <paragraph> Start at the <bold>Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway</bold>, where seals sprawl and seabirds wheel overhead. You might spot a pod of dusky dolphins or a sperm whale breaching — no binoculars required. </paragraph> <paragraph> Then eat. The seafood here isn’t just “locally sourced” — it’s sourced by locals, that morning. Grab crayfish from a roadside caravan, blue cod from an oceanview pub , or join a coastal foraging walk with someone who knows what to look for. </paragraph> <paragraph> And if you’ve got time, stay the night. There’s something about falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on a pebbled shore that makes you forget what you came here to escape. </paragraph> <gap-large/> <list> <item key="Location">Kaikōura</item> <item key="Itinerary">Recommended 2–3 Days</item> <item key="Distance">2.5 hrs from CHC Airport</item> <item key="Hours">Always Open</item> <item key="Price">Free (Nature Access)</item> </list>