Canterbury Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo,New Zealand for stargazing🌟

#wheretogo When we heard of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, only two things came into our minds - stargazing and hotspring. This spot is very photogenic both day and night. It is also art of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. During the day, we looked from the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd across the turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. The scenery was stunning！I would advised to get there early in the morning as crowds started to come in the late morning. The legendary night sky in Lake Tekapo offers the perfect opprtunity to spot stars. It is something that we can hardly do in other countries.#timetotravel #newzealand #stargazing

Situated on the shores of Lake Takapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God and as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. Definitely a must go place when you are travelling to NZ South Island! #tekapo #newzealand #travel #holiday

Snippets Of Attractions In Christchurch

New Zealand is a dream destination for many who loves the outdoors, mountain backdrops and instaworthy shots. There are 2 islands one in the North Island and one in the south island. Christchurch is a place located in the south and caters more for the adventure seekers who loves beautiful hikes, overlooking the mountain backdrops and also the many quiet soothing scenic walks. There are a few popular attraction in Christchurch are the gorgeous looking Mountcook and Lake Tekapo, The wanaka tree with the backdrop of the lake, the tasman glacier walk and many more. Before heading to Christchurch, it is recommended to plan your roadtrip to ensure you travel plans are efficient and you do not spend too much time on the road. #bucketlistreboot #newzealand #christchurch #naturescapes #naturalwonders #mustvisit #mountains #hikes #scenic #holidayvacation

Lake Tekapo

Getting There - New Zealand; Christchurch Airport Attractions - Lake Tekapo, The Church of the Good Shepherd Hotels - Mantra Lake Tekapo Food & Restaurants - Blue Lake Eatery & Bar A good getaway from the city area. Located in a small town in the southern part of New Zealand. Drive was about 3.5 hours from Christchurch Airport. Amazing display of clear sky with lots of stars. Rare sight in most countries. Weather is below 0 degrees with occasional strong winds, t thick jacket and layering will be advisable. Definitely a recommendable place to visit this holiday. #newzealandtravel #laketekapo #mountcook

In 2023, I visited the 9 most beautiful places

I've already stepped on the pitfalls for everyone, feel free to set off! Picture 1 Queenstown: The evening at Deer Park Heights is really too romantic! It's worthy of being the most beautiful farm in Queenstown. Picture 2 Donghou Top: The place I visited three times this year, it's my top 1 hiking route around Beijing in my heart. Picture 3 Mount Cook: I really love Mount Cook, I also successfully proposed here this year, leaving our story under Mount Cook. Picture 4 Songzan's view of Songzanlin Temple: Every window of Songzan is like a painting, and it's incredibly beautiful! Picture 5 Four Girls Mountain: The beauty of Changchuan after the snow is overwhelming, you won't feel tired at all in the hiking scenery. Picture 6 Baxian Dun: The first famous mountain on the sea, combining 'mountain, sea, rock' in one, the sunrise at the seaside is amazing. Picture 7 Bottomless Lake: What does it feel like to contract a whole snow mountain lake alone, stay one night at the Bottomless Lake and you will know. Picture 8 Banjie Gully: The best autumn scenery around Beijing, this year also started the first hike of autumn here. Picture 9 G214 Old National Road: From south to north across three seasons, satisfying all fantasies about snow mountains and autumn at once.

Campervanning New Zealand

These extraordinary NZ scenes are forever burned into my mind. This’s the essence of what makes a campervan road trip in NZ such a worthwhile life experience. The feeling of freedom isn’t just a stereotype found in travel novels but it’s real. New Zealand is a truly beautiful and unique country that should be on anyone’s bucket-list. #spooktaculartrip #tripblazers #fallingforfall #awesomepic #summervacation #bucketlistreboot #urbanexplorer #newzealandtravel #staycation #nz #solotrip #campervan #bucketlist #unique #mountcook #travelphotography

Snippets Of Attractions In Christchurch

New Zealand is a dream destination for many who loves the outdoors, mountain backdrops and instaworthy shots. There are 2 islands one in the North Island and one in the south island. Christchurch is a place located in the south and caters more for the adventure seekers who loves beautiful hikes, overlooking the mountain backdrops and also the many quiet soothing scenic walks. There are a few popular attraction in Christchurch are the gorgeous looking Mountcook and Lake Tekapo, The wanaka tree with the backdrop of the lake, the tasman glacier walk and many more. Before heading to Christchurch, it is recommended to plan your roadtrip to ensure you travel plans are efficient and you do not spend too much time on the road. #bucketlistreboot #newzealand #christchurch #naturescapes #naturalwonders #mustvisit #mountains #hikes #scenic #holidayvacation

On a quiet night, I wandered around the wild field and the southern light bursted out at that moment fur away behind the Mt.Cook

Epic looking lake in the Mackenzie District

If someone asked me where is beautiful in New Zealand, Lake Pukaki is definitely going to be one of my answer! What makes the lake so beautiful is the bright turquoise water color, which under the correct lighting condition, will turn into a brilliant blue color. Combining the lake with the surround mountains, It is an absolute dream for landscape photographers like myself! If you are lucky, on a day of a good weather, you can even see New Zealand’s iconic mountain, Mount Cook from here! Getting here is a scenic drive 10 mins away from the town of Twizel. Carpark is also a stone throw away from the lake so it is really accessible for everyone! #momentssg #unforgettableexperiences #hiking #travelinspiration #naturalwonders

You can’t go wrong with this combination of mountain views and blue water. In the summer, Lake Pukaki is surrounded by fields of purple Lupines and is one of the most beautiful places on earth. #newzealandtravel #lakeview #unforgettableexperiences

At the largest certified organic Lavender fields in the southern hemisphere. The smell is just as impressive as the view!

We stumbled upon this lake by accident but it was really beautifull! The water was aqua blue and really clear - soo inviting to jump into it! When putting a finger in I noticed it was waaaay to cold 🥶

Lake Tekapo & Church of Good Shepherd

On a sunny day, we drove from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. It took about three hours. We came across some small towns on the way but we had no time to stop. When we arrived, we walked to the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. This small stone church is very unique. If you want to go inside, you must pay attention to the opening hours: Tuesday morning 9-8pm; Sunday 4pm-5pm. We arrived on Wednesday so we didn't get a chance to visit. Then we walked along The Tekapo Lake, the lake was calm, very blue, very beautiful! The Church and the Lake were such scenic spots that worth taking more photos. If you have plenty of travel time, or if you like stargazing, you can consider staying one night to participate in stargazing or soaking in hot springs for a fee. #nice lithle town #stargazing

This was such a fun hike! Luckily we had enough warm clothes with us because we definitely underestimated the cold weather! Also, if you want to go there don‘t forget to bring snacks.

【Five-Day Tour Guide to South Island, New Zealand】

South Island, New Zealand, a place full of natural beauty and cultural atmosphere. In five days, I will take you around every corner of the South Island to feel the unique charm of this land. 📍Day One: Christchurch-Tekapo Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, where we first feel the pulse of the city. Visit the city's attractions in Christchurch and feel the unique cultural atmosphere of this large city on the South Island. Then, drive to Tekapo, quietly admire the beauty of the Good Shepherd Church, as if in a painting. At night, we will sleep under the stars. ✨Free visit to attractions, feel the charm of Christchurch's modern and ancient intertwined. 📍Day Two: Tekapo-Mount Cook In the early morning, we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise on the shore of Lake Pukaki. The white clouds and blue sky on the lake form the beauty of the "Blue Milk Lake". Then, we will go to Mount Cook, hike on the Hooker Trail, and feel the majesty of the mountains. At the foot of the mountain, we will also taste local fresh salmon and oysters. In the evening, we will arrive at the small fruit town of Cromwell, buy fresh fruits at the local fruit stand, and take a walk in the rose garden. ✨The beauty of Mount Cook is stunning, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. 📍Day Three: Queenstown-Wanaka Queenstown, a place full of vitality and food. Here, we can try various exciting experiences such as skydiving, paragliding, boating, cable cars, etc. The old buildings and history of Arrowtown seem to take us back to the gold rush era. The Kawarau Bridge is the birthplace of bungee jumping. Jumping down from here with your loved one will become an unforgettable memory. Finally, we will watch the sunset under the lonely tree of Lake Wanaka. ✨The activities in Queenstown make people's hearts beat faster, while Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge make people feel the weight and romance of history. 📍Day Four: Fox Glacier Town-Joseph Glacier Town Today, we will visit the glacier town. The beautiful scenery of Fox Glacier Town is unforgettable, and the crystal clear Lake Matheson is intoxicating. Here, we can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature. ✨The beauty of the glacier town is amazing, and the power and beauty of nature are perfectly combined here. 📍Day Five: Hokitika-Greymouth-Christchurch On the last day, we will go to Hokitika to enjoy this beautiful valley fairyland. Here, we will be deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery of the valley. Then, we will go to Castle Hill, where the strange rocks on the hillside form a spectacular castle. On the way back, we will pass through Christchurch, putting a perfect end to this South Island trip. ✨The beauty and magic of the South Island are unforgettable, looking forward to the next journey.

The lupins in New Zealand are about to bloom in spring, are you sure you don't want to come and see?

In this vibrant spring, the lupins are blooming vigorously on the shores of Lake Tekapo, like a brilliant palette of nature. Under the contrast of the distant blue sky and the snowy Southern Alps, it further highlights its unique charm. The melted glacier water gathers next to the Shepherd's Church, flows down, and falls into the milky blue Lake Tekapo. Every drop of water tells the grandeur and tranquility of nature. This sea of lupins has almost become one of the symbols of New Zealand. From November to January of the following year, countless tourists from home and abroad flock to the South Island of New Zealand, hoping to leave unforgettable memories in this sea of flowers. Walking by the lake, feeling the solemnity and sacredness of the Shepherd's Church, it seems that time freezes at this moment, making people intoxicated in this beautiful scenery. And in this brilliant sea of lupins, it makes people feel the wonder of nature and the power of life. Come to the shore of Lake Tekapo, let's feel this beautiful sea of lupins together! And the best way to experience this trip is to choose self-driving, which is very convenient in New Zealand. A translation of the Chinese driver's license is enough, and many platforms offer free translations. As long as you bring your Chinese driver's license and translation, you can rent a car and drive in New Zealand! I will tell you the precautions for self-driving and the route of self-driving in the next issue, remember to follow up!

God first created New Zealand, then created heaven in its image!

Mount Cook National Park, an hour's journey from Lake Tekapo, is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, which are super spectacular! After a 20-minute walk, I was shocked when I saw the glacier! The god of nature in New Zealand must have used 90% of his miraculous work to carve Mount Cook National Park. The mountains are spectacular and towering into the clouds, the glaciers are blue and green, and I gaze at the waterfall where the snow melts in the distance. Really, other than wow, I can't think of any words to describe my mood at the time. Blue penguins return to their nests, watch at close range, and there are small seals on the shore. Blue penguins are very small, they will return to their nests in groups in batches, very cute. Guys, the scenery in New Zealand is absolutely beautiful, every shot is a blockbuster! Pure starry sky, blue glaciers, flowers all over the mountains, dreamy and magical firefly caves, various grand views of forests, wilderness, snow mountains and fjords... If you don't come once in your life, you will really regret it!

Mt Cook - The Tallest Mountain in NZ!

Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand and also one of the most scenic places to hike at. There are 10 different short walks that you can take from Mount Cook Village, but the most popular one is the Hooker Valley Track. The walk begins at the visitor centre or the White Horse Hill campground/carpark. The track takes about 2-3 hours return and is an easy track with very rewarding views of the snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you will have to walk across three swing bridges and goes along the Hooker River, ultimately leading you to a glacier lake. The glacier lake makes a really great photography spot with the snowy mountains as a backdrop! #momentssg #hiking #nationalpark #scenicspotguide #newzealand

Aoraki and the surround Mt Cook national park is a truly amazing place. With many walks and hikes available, the explorer in you goes crazy for all the wonderful sights you can take in along the way. A simple and easy track to do is the Hooker track. A great walk for all fitness levels and takes a couple of hours round trip. This is truly a magical place and you need to experience it. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

Taking a road trip through New Zealand was one of the best decisions I made last year. The neverending beauty of this country is so fascinating.