Cycle the Little River Rail Trail or the Christchurch Adventure Park trails

Day trip to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula for French colonial charm and dolphin swimming

Take the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth through Arthur's Pass (from $99 NZD one-way)

Walk the street art trail through the CBD (free, self-guided maps at i-SITE)

Visit Canterbury Museum for natural history and Antarctic exploration exhibits (free)