https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/canterbury/spring-outings/10070017120200
Spring Outings
Top 10 Spring Outings in Canterbury [2025]
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Hagley Park North
4.7
/5
81 reviews
6.7
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6439418999
Address: 14 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 - Spring Outings
Highlights:
View of Spring Cherry Blossoms in Bloom on the Banks of the River Avon
Spring cycling and flower viewing trail
30% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It can be said to be the largest and best park in Christchurch. Located in the city center, it is a great place for friends of all ages. You can spend the weekend afternoons with your family, using the sky as your room and the ground as your bed... quietly contemplating... or just being idle for the afternoon... It is also very popular on weekends or holidays!
A free national park with a great value for money, Hagley Park is the largest park in Christchurch. Suitable for friends of all ages... A great place for a weekend picnic!
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Lake Tekapo
4.7
/5
342 reviews
7.2
Based on 2,718 reviews
54.3 km from downtown
Phone +6480023538283
Address: Canterbury Region 7999, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
A Sea of Lupins Against a Milky Blue Lake
Spring lakeside trail with floral scenery
Saved by 137 users106 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Standing on the shore of Lake Tekapo, I was shocked by the deep blue, as if the earth cracked a gap, the sky was poured into the lake. The lake surrounded by snowy mountains was calm as a mirror, reflecting the changes of clouds and light. When participating in Earth & Sky stargazing, the Milky Way poured down, the stars were within reach, and the guide's explanation brought the mystery of the universe close to you. Walking along the lake, the white figure of the Shepherd's Church blended with nature, and the tranquility was divine. This is not only a feast of vision, but also a destination for the soul, every moment makes people intoxicated with the pure and tranquil nature.
After descending Mount Eden, we flew from the North Island of New Zealand to Christchurch on the South Island. It took a 3-hour drive to Lake Dekapo and the town of Tekapo, located between Christchurch and Queenstown. It is known as the sapphire of the South Island.
The western side of the lake is the Southern Alps. When the snow on the mountain melts, it washes down minerals and accumulates at the bottom of the lake. Under the sunlight, it forms a dreamy milky blue color.
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Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
4.6
/5
220 reviews
7.1
74.6 km from downtown
Phone +6434351186
Address: Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
Highlights:
Hike to view the blooming Cook lilies
Explore diverse ecological landscapes in spring
25% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Stepping into Mount Cook, breathing stalled at the top of the snowy mountain. Mount Cook pierced the sky like a sword in the clouds, and the glacier cracked a diamond-like glow in the sun. On the Hook Valley Trail, the gravel underfoot accompanied by the whisper of the glacier, every step like walking in a painting. The echoes of the Maori legend Aoraki echoed through the valley, reminding the ancient soul of the land. The changing weather made the journey full of surprises, and when the clouds were scattered, the glaciers floating in the lake made me feel like a fairyland, which is the most primitive shock of nature.
The weather in Mount Cook was very good, but the activity of going on a snow plane and returning by helicopter was cancelled due to bad weather on the mountain. It was a pity for two consecutive days. I drove from the Twizel base to the airport at the foot of the snow mountain to inquire and wait, and took the shortest hiking route by the way. The scenery was also pretty good.
No.
4
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Mona Vale Garden Park
4.5
/5
86 reviews
5.9
Based on 242 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6439418999
Address: 40 Mona Vale Avenue, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through a pink ocean on a spring flower avenue
Enjoy a boat tour on the Avon River / Ōtākaro
35% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I originally thought that Mona Vale Garden Park was connected to Hagley Park, but later I found out that they are not the same thing. Mona Vale was originally a private garden, but now it belongs to the government. However, Mona Vale is still very close to Hagley Park.
A place that I must visit every time I come to Christchurch is a garden donated by a private individual to the government. The scenery is beautiful, with different scenery in each season. You can see different flowers and feed wild ducks.
No.
5
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Avon River / Ōtākaro
4.4
/5
222 reviews
5.8
Based on 667 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6433660337
Address: Christchurch, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Go boating in an Edwardian punt to enjoy the spring floral scenery
Grand Spring Flower Festival celebration
36% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Avon River should not to be missed. we will be carried by a punter dressed in traditional Edwardian attire!
You will be slowly be brought along the water quietly past woodlands, weeping willows with the leafy banks of North Hagley Park along side the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
You can also take a Punt ride from Worcester Street Bridge through Christchurch’s central city.
The mother river of Christchurch, the Avon River can be seen from almost all scenic spots, including the Bridge of Remembrance, the Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park, Mona Vale Manor... The riverside is lush with vegetation and full of trees, as well as many benches and stone steps for resting, where you can take a cruise or row a boat.
No.
6
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Mount John
4.9
/5
99 reviews
5.8
61.4 km from downtown
Phone +6434350802
Address: Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
40% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
nice place with nice Astro Cafe, Astro cafe opening hour is depends on the weather. if is too windy they will close.
Hike up Mount John
Mount John is located on the shore of Lake Tekapo. You can enjoy the beautiful Lake Tekapo and the lakeside town when you climb to the top of the mountain. The most noteworthy thing is that there is an observatory on the top of the mountain, which is an important base for New Zealand's space research. Because it is far away from big cities and the sky is clear, it has the most beautiful starry sky at night. It is also one of the four best stargazing spots in the world and is recognized by astronomers around the world as the best place to observe the Milky Way and the center of the universe. There is also a cafe on the top of the mountain, which is known as the cafe with the best view in the world. Climb up Mount John, drink a cup of starry sky coffee and wait for stargazing quietly
No.
7
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Arthur's Pass National Park
4.7
/5
66 reviews
4.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6433189211
Address: Canterbury 7875, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Verified user reviews
Located on the main road between Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island and Greymouth on the west coast, it attracts many tourists.
The snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, clear lakes, magnificent glaciers, and especially the diverse hiking trails and meticulous travel services have won the favor of many climbers.
For most tourists who travel around the South Island, if they start from Christchurch, they can take Arthur's Pass as the first stop and appetizer; if they take Christchurch as the end point, they must be visually fatigued when they see Arthur's Pass.
Arthur's Pass National Park is located in the Southern Alps in the central part of New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1929 and covers an area of 944 square kilometers, with an altitude of 923 meters and a mountain pass of about 8 kilometers. There are trails in the park for long-distance mountaineering activities, but most tourists are only suitable for short-distance walking and taking pictures of the mountain pass glaciers, the pebble slope riverbed and nearby peaks.
No.
8
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Victoria Square
4.5
/5
49 reviews
4.1
Based on 41 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6439418999
Address: 3370753, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Verified user reviews
Victoria Square is one of the landmarks of Christchurch. It is smaller than you might think and you can see it at a glance. There is the Bowker Fountain in the square. It lights up at night and changes colors, which is very beautiful. The fountain was built in 1931 and has a long history. It was funded by the real estate developer Bowker, so the fountain was named after him.
Victoria Square is the largest square in Christchurch. It was severely damaged in the earthquake, but it has almost recovered in recent years. The entire square is surrounded by many rebuilt commercial centers and the business is very developed. If you want to shop, Victoria Square is the best choice.
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