At the heart of South Canterbury is Geraldine, a picturesque country town with 2,600 residents on the Inland Scenic Route 72.
How to get here
An easy hour and a half drive from Christchurch, just 10 mins off State Highway 1 on the inland route to the central lakes, Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Queenstown, Geraldine is an ideal first break in the journey—an authentic welcome to NZ.
A reason to stop on your journey
With a great location and peaceful setting, Geraldine has all the makings of a classic family holiday destination, as well as being perfect for weekend breaks.
It is also a popular stopover point when travelling from the north or south on the mainland.
Find out more about Geraldine here.
A natural tourist hub
Geraldine boasts boutique and motelier accommodation, eateries with the best of local seasonal cuisine, and a wide selection of shopping including all things handmade –preserves, cheese, crafts, and woodwork, along with local designer clothing.
Artists Retreat
Geraldine is home to well-known artists John Badcock, Mike Deavoll, Richard Bolton, Ben Woollcombe, and the late Austen Deans.
A rich range of art galleries and an artist’s studio are open publicly, as well as a local craft collective that sell local wares, alfresco prints, crafts, and wool.
