Christchurch - Canterbury

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Bordered on the west by the majestic Southern Alps and the east by the Pacific Ocean, Canterbury offers up a variety of landscapes and activities for the cyclist.

The Canterbury Region of the South Island is the largest region in New Zealand and like much of NZ, Canterbury is a land of differing landscapes - beautiful beaches, rugged coastline, flat farmland and snow capped mountains can all be found in this area. From skiing at Mt. Hutt, to mountain biking in the Hanmer Forest of Hanmer Springs, to whale watching in Kaikoura there is plenty to keep you busy.

For the cyclist, there are heaps of opportunities for world class biking. New Zealand's longest Great Ride, the Alps to Ocean Trail, will start at the foot of New Zealand's highest peak Aoraki/Mt Cook (3,754 metres). Leaving from the alpine village, the Alps to Ocean Trail will travel 312 kms to Oamaru on the Pacific Ocean. Outside the thermal resort Hanmer Springs, the St James Cycle Trail will offer up a superb 50 km mountain bike ride through native bush. Add to these Great Rides some excellent trails around Christchurch and heaps of classic mountain bike trails around Hanmer Springs, and you'll see why we think Canterbury is one of the South Island's best cycling destinations.

Fly into Christchurch and set off to experience some the South Island's best mountain biking in Canterbury.