Everything you expect from a South Island holiday.
Whether you’re after a relaxing, indulgent break of wineries, award-winning eateries, day spas and thermal pools or a non-stop adventure of bungy jumping, hiking and fishing, the Hurunui is the ultimate holiday spot.
Our best kept secrets
Hidden Gems
With cathedral-like cliffs, a log cabin village and high country stations, Hurunui has some incredible undiscovered secrets.
Stretch the legs and your soul.
The Outdoors
The Hurunui is Mother Nature’s playground. She really has given us the best of the best.
Indulge and unwind
Relaxation
Hurunui has a long history in wellness. Some visit for a soak in the Hanmer Springs’ famous hot pools, others enjoy the forests and open spaces, but many come for the thriving health and beauty sector.
Shake off your cobwebs
Adventure
Push yourself to your limits with one of our adrenalin-filled activities. This stunning natural landscape provides the ideal backdrop for an incredible array of activities for every member of the family.
Tantalising food and wine
The Taste
Welcome to New Zealand’s pantry. Stop for a slow indulgent lunch, grab a quick delicious homemade treat, and discover new tastes.
Hurunui’s selection of cafes, restaurants, markets, and tea rooms will hit the spot.
Info: Click or tap over each circle for more information.
Getting Here
Just a short 45 minute drive north from Christchurch Airport. Enter into a region like no other. The perfect day trip, weekend, or extended holiday.
Christchurch Airport
The primary gateway to the South Island, Christchurch Airport has an award-winning terminal which attracts more than 6.5 million passengers a year, connecting Christchurch with the rest of the world. There's plenty of places to eat, shop and relax while you await flights.
Christchurch Airport
Gore Bay
Gore Bay along Cheviot's coastline is one of new Zealand's safest surfing beaches, while the Gore Bay Tourist Drive takes you past the spectacular Cathedral Cliffs. This is one of the region's most photogenic attractions.
Greta Valley
The Greta Valley is a relaxed farming community where you can really get away from it all. With green rolling hills and a uniquely kiwi way of life, you can't help but relax here.
Hanmer Springs
New Zealand's alpine spa village is a haven of both relaxation and adventure. For more than a century visitors have sought the rejuvenating tonic of this beautiful town.
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Hawarden
Hawarden is home to the famous Flaxmere Gardens, its also the gateway to the pristine high country Hurunui lades, which reward those who make the journey with unbridled landscapes and pure New Zealand vistas.
Kaikōura
This is a place like nowhere else in the world - where mountains spectacularly meet the sea. Magnificent wildlife is plentiful and exciting adventures and fascinating history await you. This is New Zealand’s eco-tourism capital and under three hours' drive from Christchurch.
Motunau Beach
The coastal settlement of Motunau Beach is a great place to retreat and enjoy the quiet seaside ambience and local seafood. The much sought after blue cod is among the catch on offer so the beach is a popular fishing spot, while the experienced diver can enjoy an abundance of crayfish.
Rotherham
The township of Rotherham was established in 1877 to attract labourers to the district. Keep an eye out for the historic Watters Cottage, built by John Watters, an Irish expert wool presser in 1878, it’s been restored as a memorial to the Amuri farmers and station workers.
Waiau
Waiau is a picturesque village with a rich history and a love of the outdoors. Well known as a great holiday spot for families, at its heart is a charming village green which incorporates an historic jail and some village stocks (great for a photo stop!).
Waikari
Travelling via State Highway 7 to Waikari is one of the most scenic road trips in New Zealand. Waikari offers panoramic views of the Puketeraki and Kaikoura ranges and is the stopping point for the Weka Pass Railway.
Waipara Valley
The North Canterbury wine region is an Aladdin’s cave of geologically rich areas brimming with limestone, moa bones and fossils. Award-winning wineries, stunning scenic walkways and delicacy-producing farms are all here.
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Cheviot
Cheviot is known to most as being a great place to stop on your way elsewhere. There are some fabulous places to eat, drink, get supplies, shop and fill up your car. There's a lot more to Cheviot than you may have realised so it is well worth taking the time to visit for longer.
Christchurch
Christchurch is a vibrant, energetic city where urban regeneration and creativity thrive. Picture amazing street art, innovative projects, a booming hospitality scene and state-of-the-art architecture that is changing the way the city looks, feels and functions.
Culverden
Culverden is set in the middle of the wide Amuri Basin surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop. This delightful country township offers a variety of bed and breakfasts, nature walks and farm-stays, making it an ideal setting for travellers seeking a rural New Zealand experience.
Mt Lyford
Beautifully constructed to blend with the environment and surrounding native bush, the heart of the village is Mt Lyford Lodge with an excellent restaurant, bar and a range of great accommodation. Mt Lyford’s ski field has slopes for all abilities.
Greymouth
Greymouth is a town with a history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods.
Hurunui
Travel along State Highway 7 and you'll soon come across the Hurunui Hotel and village. Once a reprieve for weary sheep drovers travelling to Christchurch, it remains an iconic landmark in the region today.