A great base to see nature, from mountains to the sea

We live in the country just outside of Christchurch, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet but still be close to shops, restaurants and the many tourist activities in Canterbury. We are centrally located to day trips in both the Arthur's Pass National Park and Banks Peninsula. In an hour, you could be in the mountains, at the beach, or sharing a secluded bay with seals and other wildlife. We love our property because of its private seclusion, where you can sit on the deck and watch the farm animals and the birds. Our pigs are super friendly and love to be scratched, and our sheep will even come to you for an ear rub. As our weather is pretty mild year-round, any time of the year is nice to visit! Christchurch is the Southern City of exploration, boasting modern architecture alongside the best collection of heritage buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Christchurch is an ever-changing new city after the earthquakes in early 2010s and you'll find new opportunities for shopping and eating, plus there are the old reminders of our heritage and colonial settlements. Things to do within Christchurch: Christchurch Adventure Park- The only year-round mountain bike and zipline park in the world Avon River- You can glide along the Avon River in canoes, kayaks, row boats or romantic Edwardian punts Botanic Gardens- One of the oldest gardens in the country, the 21-hectare Christchurch Botanic Gardens are a delightful oasis right in the city centre Arts Centre & Museum- the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum make up some of the most significant heritage buildings in the country Street Art- Christchurch is a global street art capital, attracting artists from all over the globe. Murals around every corner, there are few walls in Christchurch without decoration Port Hills- With innumerable walkways and cycle tracks, the Port Hills dominate the city vista for breath-taking views across Lyttelton Harbour and the Canterbury Plains Lyttelton- The creative heart of Christchurch,this working port town. The town's main street is packed with shops and bars all with views across the harbour. Animals- both Willowbank and Orana Park have New Zealand native birds and animals (kiwis!) as well as other animals (gorillas!) Maori Culture- a few places to see cultural performances, hangis, maraes and understand the Maori culture Antarctic Centre- Christchurch is the gateway to Antarctica, and you can experience Antarctic chill, ride a Hagglund, see penguins Day trips within Canterbury: North Canterbury Wine Region- Waipara valley is the hidden gem of national wine regions, less than an hour from Christchurch Akaroa and Banks Peninsula- New Zealand's historic French town, Akaroa offers coastal vistas and a thriving artisan culture where you can swim with dolphins in the harbour or take a wildlife cruise to see penguins. Drive over scenic Banks Peninsula and go for walks, see the Okains Bay Maori Museum or stop at secluded bays like Tumbledown Bay to have your own private viewing of seals. Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort- An alpine spa village boasting both relaxation and adventure: thermal hot pools, bungy jumping, jet boating, walking and mountain bike trails through forest. Arthurs Pass National Park- an alpine wonderland with lots of hiking, waterfalls, absolutely stunning scenery and native birdlife Mt Hutt Skifield- less than 1.5 hours from our house And a few overnight trips are worth it if you stay longer, such as whale-watching in Kaikoura or taking the scenic train over to the West Coast through the Southern Alps mountains. We are the gateway to the South Island and all of our scenic mountains and beaches. Check out http://www.christchurchnz.com/ and www.newzealand.com/int/feature/11-must-do-kiwi-experiences-in-the-south-island/. We can give you personal recommendations depending on your interests.

While we are 20 mintutes' drive outside of Christchurch, there is no public transport and you will need a car to get around. We are happy to swap cars as part of the exchange.