At the Tasman Glacier some 200 kilometres from the epicentre, around 30 million tonnes of ice tumbled off the glacier into Tasman Lake, hitting tour boats with tsunami waves 3.5 metres high. The quake was felt as far north as Tauranga and as far south as Invercargill, the place the 111 emergency community was rendered out of service. Parts of Sumner had been evacuated during the night of twenty-two February after cracks had been seen on a nearby hillside.

The earthquake generated a big sequence of its personal aftershocks. More than 361 aftershocks occurred within the first week following the magnitude 6.three earthquake. There is not any higher approach to finish such an epic experience than with this outstanding scenic practice journey. As one of the 10 finest train journeys on the planet, this experience is a wonderful adventure in itself.

The city is modeled on Edinburgh in Scotland, with many of the road names taken from town. The city also serves as a hub for helicopter excursions, which take friends on a sightseeing tour over the Otago region, in addition to some of Canterbury. Cut off from Christchurch by earthquakes in 2016, the street into the town has just lately been restored, making it much simpler to go to. Here, you can pattern a few of New Zealand’s most interesting seafood, as nicely as absorb rural Kiwi tradition at its finest. You can study all about the impression on native lives – in addition to the geology behind the earthquakes – while in town. This makes for a really shocking addition to any New Zealand itinerary.

Ascend the Banks Peninsula for lovely views over Akaroa Harbour and the volcanic crater. Then, sample locally made cheeses and admire colonial structure round Akaroa. Cruise by catamaran into the harbor where numerous marine and fowl life thrives, together with uncommon Hector’s dolphins. Travel by TranzAlpine railway to Arthur’s Pass National Park, driving throughout the Canterbury Plains, then winding via Waimakariri Gorge and into the center of the Southern Alps on this present day journey from Christchurch. An informative information takes you on a minivan tour of Arthur’s Pass, together with short rain forest walks previous rivers to mountain vistas at Castle Hill. Enjoy a resort lunch and light refreshments before the return journey via Waimak Gorge.

The Governor-General additionally needed to revoke his previous proclamation of the date of the census. It is the third time the census has been cancelled in New Zealand; the opposite events occurred in 1931, due to the Great Depression, and in 1941 due to World War II. Much of the NZ$90 million value of the 2011 census was written off. Canterbury University partially reopened on 14 March 2011, with many lectures held in tents and marquees while work was carried out on university buildings.

• Enjoy a 6-hour wine tour of four vineyards within the Waipara wine area • Wine tasting at 4 boutique wineries • Winery lunch platter. Find out more about this tour and others by comparing Backyard Roadies onViatorandTripadvisor. Plus, check out more excursions for 10 days inThe 10 Best Day Tours of New Zealand. Find adventures that begin in Christchurch and then end in Auckland.

Enjoy the good outside on a 4X4 tour car that is made for back roads and off-roading. Then, leap aboard a high-speed jet boat for a thrilling cruise into the spectacular Waimakariri River Gorge. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed totally in New Zealand, taking advantage of the vast and distant landscapes.

Passengers stay at in the Novotel Lakeside Hotel in Queenstown, centrally situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. A fleet of luxurious coaches will escort the practice all through the journey, offering seamless transfers to your accommodation and excursions. Return Details – Returns to unique departure level – except in any other case arranged at about 4.00pm. A truly boutique winery cellar door – style the award-winning wines together with St Laurent, Syrah and Liquid Geography Riesling. Indulge in a day of wine tasting in the Waipara wine space, famend for its heat, dry climate and limestone-rich soils — best for rising the premium quality grapes that produce some of New Zealand’s most distinctive wine. Plus, see extra tours of the South Island in one week in The Best 7-Day Tours of the South Island.

Excursions Starting From Christchurch

Everywhere you go, you’re sure to search out old buildings with good murals painted on their sides. Much of this was made after the earthquakes in an try to uplift the spirits of its citizens. Going skydiving is on the bucket listing of many journey seekers, and New Zealand is likely considered one of the best locations to do it. Journey into the Canterbury high nation to visit picturesque Erewhon Station, a 35,000-acre sheep and beef farm set against the Southern Alps.

For thrill-seekers, go bungee jumping fromKawarau Bridgeand skydiving over The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. You can even go jet boating or whitewater rafting by way of the Kawarau and Shotover gorges and rivers. If you are more of a beer aficionado, the Speight’s factory tour is to not be missed. All Saints Anglican Church, which is the oldest church constructing still in use in Dunedin. Dating from 1865, it has an exquisite choice of stained glass, including a uncommon Arts & Crafts Movement instance. St Paul’s Cathedral, which has occupied its web site in the heart of the Octagon in Dunedin for the explanation that first parish church of St Paul was in-built 1862.