-	Central Canterbury

Central Canterbury is situated in the centre of the Canterbury Region on the South Island of New Zealand. Bordered by the Waimakarere River to the north, the spectacular Southern Alps in the west, the Rangitata River in the south and the 100 km long Pacific beaches of the Canterbury Bight forming its eastern boundary. This area is dominated by the Canterbury Plains, with its many braided rivers calving their way across the fertile planes from the mountains to the sea.

Maori Moa hunters once worked these plains leaving a rock art record of their successes. Today, between the mountains and the sea, the vast plains are patch worked with the patterns of rural life. Agreculture and horticulture are the main industrys here, The Canterbury Plains are formed from the alluvial shingle fans of several larger rivers, notably the Waimakariri, the Rakaia, the Selwyn, and the Rangitata. The land is suitable for moderately intensive livestock farming, but is prone to droughts, especially when the prevailing wind is from the northwest. At these times, the weather phenomenon known as the nor-wester sweeps the plain.

Located at the conjunction of State Highway 1 and State Highway 77, Ashburton is the main service town for the Canterbury Plains. On a clear day you can see all the way to the alps. The climate in summer is usually hot and dry with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius during January and February. Warm, north-westerly winds predominate. The winters can be described as being crisp. Winter frosts are usually followed by mild, sunny days. The average rainfall is about 75 cm per year, with no distinctive wet season.

The Arthurs Pass National Park is located in the Central Canterbury Region. State Highway 73 passes over Arthur's Pass, connecting Christchurch with Greymouth on the West Coast. It is the highest of only three roads crossing the Southern Alps, the other crossings being the Haast Pass and the Lewis Pass. Maori had used Arthur's pass as a walking route to collect greenstone (jade) from western river beds. Arthur Dobson was the first European to find this route through the Southern Alps in 1864.The mountain ranges of Arthur’s Pass National Park have been a climbing Mecca since 1891. Climbing is a popular activity in the park. Mt Rolleston (2275 m) near the summit of Arthur’s Pass is a popular climb for novice mountaineers. Within the Park the terrain varies from low hills capable of being climbed by almost anybody, to heavily glaciated peaks and steep face routes only for experienced climbers.

Methven is surrounded by the Canterbury Plains and dwarfed by the Southern Alps. This once quiet, rural village is now a Mecca for sports lovers. Not only famous for the excellent skiing and snowboarding on nearby Mt Hutt, it is also the place to be if you like to fish, play golf, jet boat, hike, mountain bike ride, or horse trek. This area is considered New Zealand's finest Hot Air Ballooning location. Methven has a buzzing nightlife, with a variety of restaurants, bars and a nightclub. Mount Hutt has a long ski season and is usually the first New Zealand ski field to open and the last to close. Snowmakers keep the slopes in top shape.

Mount Cheeseman is the second closest ski area to Christchurch. The ski field is a sunny east to south east basin with open rolling terrain. With great beginner and intermediate slopes, Mount Cheeseman is perfect for learners and families. Two T Bars give easy access to well groomed gentle terrain and the Learners Tow is located right beside the main lodge. In Canterbury it is possible to go surfing and snowboarding in the same day!

Christchurch international airport receives flights from Australia, Asia, the UK and the USA, providing a convenient gateway to South Island destinations.