CANTERBURY
Calling Code: +64 3
Canterbury is the hub of the South Island and contains its largest city, Christchurch. The region
extends from Kaikoura in the north to near Oamaru in the south, and
from the Pacific Ocean to Arthur's Pass and Mt Cook
in the Southern Alps.
This is one of the driest and flattest areas of New Zealand. The moisture-laden
westerlies from the Tasman Sea hit the Southern Alps and dump their rainfall on
the West Coast before reaching Canterbury, which as an annual rainfall of only
.75m compared with 5m on the West Coast.
The region is dominated by the expansive Canterbury Plains, dead-flat farming
land that's backed by the Southern Alps. The Alps contain NZ's highest mountains
- Mts Cook, Tasman and Sefton. This striking geographical contrast is the NZ of
postcards - rural, sheep-strewn fields backed by rugged, snow capped mountains.
And you can't forget about the Crusaders. Rugby in Canterbury isn't just a pastime,
it's a religion and the Crusaders are gods.
If there's a place you've stayed or something you've done, but we haven't listed, review it for us!
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