We are incredibly lucky to be living in such a beautiful area with so much around us. Below are some of the little hidden gems that Canterbury has to offer. Feel free to explore some of these over the holidays if you haven’t already.

Ryde falls - A great day’s walk to a beautiful little waterfall. Takes about 4-6 hours there and back over easy terrain. Dogs are allowed on this track which is awesome.

Fishing at the Groynes- There are some great ponds at the Groynes where children can go fishing for free. Tamariki will need a license from Fish and Game New Zealand, these are free for children under the age of 12 years.

Sign of the Bellbird- Check out some old heritage buildings. From the sign of the Bellbird, there is a beautiful view out over Christchurch. There are also some nice short walks within the area.

Godley Head Coastal Defence Battery- Built in 1939, the Godley Head coastal defense battery is a pretty cool heritage site. You also have amazing sea views.

Orton Bradly Park- Not exactly free ($10 a carload), but it’s a beautiful area to go for a picnic. There are lovely walks that cater to all ages and a cool playground.

Cave Stream- This is an amazing adventure. You will need to make sure the weather is good and there has been no rain in the mountains. With kids, I would recommend a wetsuit as it can take up to 1 and a half hours to go through. Headlamps are a must and check the website for any updates or warnings but it’s definitely worth it over the warmer months from December-March.

Riccarton bush and markets -It’s hard to believe that you are in the middle of Christchurch when walking through Riccarton Bush. Great for all ages and if you go on a Saturday, you can make the most of the Christchurch Farmers’ Market at Riccarton House.