4 Best Sights in Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand

Popular with surfers, this beach has a pier that goes well out into the surf. It's a great place to stroll when the sea is calm but even better when it's rough. Yellow Line buses travel here. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing; walking.

The contrast of the rim of the old volcanic cone and the coves below is striking—and when you drop into one of the coves, you'll probably feel like you've found your own little corner of the world. One of the easiest bays to access is Okains Bay. Take the Summit Road at Hilltop if approaching from Christchurch or Ngaio Point Road behind Duvauchelle if approaching from Akaroa. It's about 24 km (15 miles) from Akaroa and takes about a half hour to drive. The small settlement lies at the bottom of Okains Bay Road, which ends at a beach sheltered by tall headlands.

This is a popular swimming and surfing spot. The sandy beach and the beach promenade are great for walking, and there are some excellent ice-cream parlors nearby. You can catch a Purple Line bus if you don't have a car. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: swimming; walking.

Experienced surfers prefer Taylor's Mistake to Sumner Beach because the waves are often higher. This area is also popular for hikers, bikers, and runners thanks to the spectacular cliff-top views. You can catch the Purple Line bus to Sumner and then walk the Flower Track in Scarborough down to the beach. If you're lucky, you'll see tiny, rare Hector's dolphins playing off Sumner Head on your way out. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing.