Need to know

Christchurch

Stay: Heritage Christchurch is a gorgeous, century-old building, with stately hallways and a wide, sweeping staircase.
Do: Go punting on the River Avon, walk the "new" CBD, pay respects at the city’s earthquake memorials, admire the plentiful street art, stroll the Botanic Gardens.
Eat: OGB, food trucks in Cathedral Square and the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant.

Hanmer Springs

Stay: Heritage Hanmer Springs.
Do: Climb Conical Hill, hire mountain bikes from Hanmer Adventure and ride the nearby trails through local forests. Relax in the Thermal Springs in the evening.
Eat: Isobel’s at Heritage Hanmer Springs is a grand room with warming food, attentive service and an extensive drinks list.

Wanaka

Stay: Airbnb has loads of homey options.
Do: Ski. Also walk or cycle around the lake for ever-changing views, and climb Mount Iron and Mount Roy for Insta-perfect backdrops.
Eat: Big Fig for great homestyle dishes. Alchemy has good coffee. Visit Rhyme and Reason, a brewery in an industrial zone.

Tekapo

Stay: Mantra Lake Tekapo.
Do: Earth and Sky runs dark-sky tours. Soak in Tekapo Springs, which has a spa attached; go ice skating (open from April-September).
Eat: Try the many restaurants along the village’s strip, and make sure to stop off at Fairlie Bakery en route to Christchurch for a mince and cheese or venison and cranberry pie. Don’t forget coffee and a Denheath custard square at the Farm Barn Café.