Nature and wildlife in Canterbury offer immersive experiences across coastal, forest, and alpine environments, showcasing the region’s iconic species and stunning natural landscapes.
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Nature and Wildlife in Canterbury
Explore Canterbury by Activity
Kaikōura Helicopters - Classic Whale Watch
Spot whales from above and maybe even pods of dolphins.
from NZ $420.00
30 Mins 
Ultimate Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christ...
Picture perfect scenery - including Lakes Pearson and Lydon, and Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
from NZ $595.00
11 Hours 
from NZ $265.00
30 Mins 
from NZ $149.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $349.00
5 Hours 
Kaikoura Whale Watch Flight
Enjoy spectacular aerial views of sperm whales and dusky dolphins in Kaikoura
from NZ $220
30 Mins 
from NZ $395.00
Allow approximately 3 hours for the experience. Flight time is around 1 hour.
Sea Kayaking, Lyttelton Harbour & Quail I...
Sea kayaking in an extinct volcano (Lyttleton Harbour)
from NZ $479.00
8 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $3195.00
5 days 
from NZ $579.00
8 Hours 
Albatross Encounter
In just 2.5 hours you will see an incredible array of albatross species and other beautiful seabirds
from NZ $200
2 hours 30 mins
Kaikoura - with kayaking experience
Wildlife Kayak Experience (approximately 3 hours) with Kaikōura Kayaks
from NZ $385.00
10 Hours 
from NZ $165
3 hours 
Night Sky Astronomy Experience
Look through an extremely powerful 9-25 inch telescope and eVscope to see the stars
from NZ $125.00
Arthur’s Pass & TranzAlpine Train Day Tour ...
Two journeys, zero repeated views. The Tranzalpine one way, the Great Alpine Highway the other.
from NZ $478.00
10 Hours 
from NZ $89.00
2 Hours 30 Mins
Meet our friendly alpacas at Shamarra Alpacas...
Full of attitude, seriously cute and very, very photogenic: come and meet our friendly alpacas
from NZ $65.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $139.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $125.00
1 Days 
Dolphin Encounter - Swim with or watch Kaikou...
Kaikoura is among the best locations in the world to encounter interact with wild dusky dolphins
from NZ $150
3.5 hours 
from NZ $395.00
13 Hours 
Christchurch to Queenstown One Way Tour, Via ...
Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shephard
from NZ $399.00
13 Hours 
Hike and Kayak Combo Adventure Akaroa
Discover Banks Peninsula from Summit to sea
from NZ $175.00
8 Hours 
Mt Cook to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo (1 wa...
Lake Tekapo - including the Church of the Good Shepherd
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
Marlborough Molesworth Epic Cycle Tour
Discover the majesty of the Molesworth Station as you ride through the incredible terrain
from NZ $6400.00
11 days 
from NZ $429.00
8 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $119.00
2 Hours 30 Mins
Christchurch Day Out: Sheep Farm Adventure wi...
Christchurch city highlights
from NZ $345.00
6 Hours 
Kaikoura - Whale Watching Ocean Safari
Extended time in the whale watching area for maximum whale sighting opportunities.
from NZ $850.00
45 Mins 
from NZ $275.00
12 Hours 
Full Day Guided Walk and Picnic on Banks Peni...
Discover the best kept secret walkways in NZ, only 30 minutes from Christchurch
from NZ $270.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $39.00
30 Mins 
Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Small...
Travel through the rolling farmland of the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps
from NZ $235.00
6 Hours 
Akaroa Nature Cruise
View the Hector’s dolphin - smallest and rarest in the world
from NZ $130.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $529.00
8 Hours 
24/48 Hour Pohatu Package at a Penguin Colony...
Spend the night in the middle of a penguin colony
from NZ $220.00
1 Days 
from NZ $479.00
8 Hours 
Canterbury Peaks to Plains Cycle Tour
Exclusive access to cycle through private high country stations
from NZ $4400.00
6 days 
from NZ $50.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $380.00
9 Hours 
Kaikōura Day Tour From Christchurch With Win...
Whale Watching Flight (approximately 1 hour, including check-in) with Wings Over Whales Kaikoura
from NZ $479.00
10 Hours 
from NZ $374.00
11 Hours 
from NZ $225.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $1350.00
1 Hours 
Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour from C...
Marvel at majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook - New Zealand’s highest peak.
from NZ $299.00
13 Hours 
Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch vi...
Christchurch to Greymouth train tour aboard the world famous TranzAlpine
from NZ $499.00
13 Hours 
from NZ $119.00
1 Hours 15 Mins 
from NZ $150
2 Hour Nature Safari in Akaroa Wildside Conse...
See penguins up close in nesting sites (in season)
from NZ $105.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $145
3 hours 
Kaikōura Ziplining & Native forest trail
Experience the thrill of ziplining amidst the stunning landscapes of Kaikōura
from NZ $199.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $1270.00
13 Hours 
from NZ $580.00
1 Days 12 Hours Tourist Information About Nature and Wildlife in Canterbury
Nature and wildlife in Canterbury offer a remarkable blend of coastal beauty, forested trails, and unforgettable encounters with some of New Zealand’s most iconic species. With its dramatic landscapes and thriving ecosystems, Canterbury is an ideal destination for travellers seeking immersive outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring the rugged Kaikōura coastline or gazing at the stars in the Mackenzie Region, the area promises experiences that highlight the very best of Aotearoa’s natural world.
One of the region’s premier experiences is the Albatross Encounter, where visitors can marvel at these magnificent seabirds up close. For those eager to explore the marine environment more actively, the Seal Kayak Tour, Guided Wildlife Kayaking, and the exhilarating Whale Watching Ocean Safari offer captivating views of fur seals, dolphins, and the towering tail flukes of migrating whales. These tours reveal the extraordinary wildlife that flourishes just offshore, all framed by Canterbury’s rugged cliffs and turquoise waters.
Beyond the coast, Canterbury’s inland landscapes offer equally memorable discoveries. The Kaikōura Ziplining & Native Forest Trail provides a combination of adrenaline and ecological immersion, allowing visitors to appreciate native flora and birdlife from a fresh perspective. The region’s dramatic limestone formations can be explored on a guided caving tour, perfect for adventurers with a curiosity for geology. For a completely different natural spectacle, the Silver River Stargazing Tour invites you to witness some of the clearest night skies on Earth, with constellations and celestial objects visible in striking clarity.
Whether you’re paddling alongside playful seals, exploring ancient caves, or gazing upward at a galaxy-filled sky, nature and wildlife in Canterbury deliver an unforgettable journey into the heart of New Zealand’s biodiversity.
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