And the best place to stay is The Vicarage Geraldine
| The best small town in Canterbury is… “With the Southern Alps forming a backdrop to its well-tended English cottage-style gardens, Geraldine is just as pretty at some of the South Island’s better known settlements, but attracts far fewer visitors. Its natural attributes have inspired lots of artists and craftspeople – you can check out their work in the galleries or at their studios. “This, and the extraordinary number of artisanal food and beverage producers who call the place home, make it a hipster paradise – you can get your culture, nature and locally-sourced foodie fix within a few picturesque blocks.” That’s right—Geraldine is officially the best small town in Canterbury! We certainly agree. Where else will you find such a diversity of cafes, shops, and scenic walks packed in a small space…without floods of tourists to compete with? And now is a fantastic time of year to visit, with international tourists numbers dropping off and our mild, sunny weather stretching well into autumn. If you decide to plan a Geraldine getaway in the coming months, here are a few ideas for day trips from Geraldine that make the most of the cooler weather. |
Only an hour from Geraldine, Lake Tekapo is especially stunning with snow on the surrounding mountaintops.
And it’s the perfect destination for a day trip (rather than an overnight stay), since Geraldine has a much better range of eating options and nicer accommodation.
On your day trip, be sure to:
- Stop for a famous Fairlie pie at the Fairlie Bakehouse
- Wander around the historic village of Burke’s Pass
- Drive to the top of Mt John for panoramic views over the Mackenzie Basin
Check out the Tekapo Springs complex, which includes an ice skating rink open from April – September
| Relaxing Methven The small ski town of Methven is just a 50-minute drive from Geraldine along the Inland Scenic Route. If you’re travelling south from Christchurch, it makes a perfect stop en route to Geraldine. Though Methven itself is sleepy outside the ski season, the Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa is an enticing excuse for a day trip from Geraldine. These solar-powered hot pools offer mountain views and an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar. On your day trip, don’t miss: The Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa—be sure to book your time slot in advanceThe Rakaia Gorge lookout, just past Methven |
If you want even more ideas to plan the perfect Geraldine getaway, do contact The Vicarage Geraldine…..
