Fancy a tipple? Fifty miles north of Christchurch lies the Waipara Valley in Canterbury which is the area's premier wine-growing region. Popular grapes such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris are all grown here and a drive to the region would allow you to visit a variety of vineyards and wineries - however, if you are planning to do a spot of wine tasting, make sure someone else does the driving!
Nature lovers will be in their element by taking a trip to Kaikoura which is situated between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. From here you can take a whale watching tour and may encounter sperm whales, dolphins, seals and marine birds.
For truly outstanding scenery, you could take a trip to Mount Cook - Australasia's highest mountain and known as 'cloud piercer' by the Maori people. This will take you between four and five hours, but it will be well worth it. Your journey will be one of contrasts, travelling through the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. You could also stop off at stunning Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo.
If you're feeling sporty, closer to home you could visit Adrenalin Forest, which is 20 minutes north of the city. This is an aerial assault course with more than 80 activities and is sure to get the adrenalin pumping!
Christchurch car rentals are available from a wide variety of pick-up points throughout the city. Find the best deal with TravelSupermarket's price-comparison engine.
