Inland Scenic RouteThe Inland Scenic Route is a north–south touring route in Canterbury, New Zealand. In the north, the route starts in Amberley and in the south, it ends at Orari Bridge where it meets State Highway 79 (SH 79). It is on the New Zealand Automobile Association's list of 101 things that "Kiwis must do". It is mostly a two lane road, with several one lane bridges throughout the route.
Geraldine, New ZealandGeraldine (Māori: Heratini) is a town in the Canterbury region in the South Island of New Zealand. It is about 140 km south of Christchurch, and inland from Timaru, which is 38 km to the south. Geraldine is located on State Highway 79 between the Orari and Hae Hae Te Moana Rivers and 45 kilometres to the east of Fairlie.
State Highway 1 (New Zealand)State Highway 1 (SH 1) is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand road network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island and SH 1S in the South Island. SH 1 is 2,006 kilometres (1,246 mi) long, 1,074 km (667 mi) in the North Island and 932 km (579 mi) in the South Island.
New Zealand state highway networkThe New Zealand state highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Nearly 100 roads in the North and South Islands are state highways. All state highways are administered by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The highways were originally designated using a two-tier system, national (SH 1 to 8) and provincial, with national highways having a higher standard and funding priorities.
Fairlie, New ZealandFairlie is a Mackenzie District service town (or township) located in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. The estimated population was 970 as of June 2025. Being on state highway 8 between Christchurch (182 km, 2 hours 20 minutes drive) and Queenstown (300 km 3.5 hours drive), tourism is fast becoming a major industry within the town. Kimbell is 8 km west of Fairlie via state highway 8.
Orari RiverThe Orari River is a river of the south Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It rises to the northwest of the , initially flowing north then east to circumnavigate the range before flowing southeast across the Canterbury Plains. It reaches the Pacific Ocean 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of Temuka. The towns of Geraldine and Orari are both close to its banks.
South CanterburySouth Canterbury is the area of the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand bounded by the Rangitata River in the north and the southern catchment boundary of the Waitaki River (the border with the Otago Region) to the south. The Pacific Ocean and ridge of the Southern Alps form natural boundaries to the east and west respectively.
Mackenzie BasinThe Mackenzie Basin (Māori: Te Manahuna), popularly and traditionally known as the Mackenzie Country, is an elliptical intermontanebasin located in the Mackenzie and Waitaki Districts, near the centre of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest such basin in New Zealand. Historically famous mainly for sheep farming, the sparsely populated area is now also a popular tourism destination.
WānakaWānaka east, with mountains in the backgroundWānaka (Māori pronunciation:) is a ski and summer resort town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. At the southern end of Lake Wānaka, it is at the start of the Clutha River and is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wānaka is primarily a resort town with both summer and winter seasons. Its economy is based on the many outdoor opportunities this offers.
ChristchurchChristchurch ( ; Māori: Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island and the second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of 407,800, and a metropolitan population of 556,500. It is located in the Canterbury Region, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains.
Aoraki / Mount CookAoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Its height, as of 2014, is listed as 3,724 metres (12,218 feet). It is situated in the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountaineers. Aoraki / Mount Cook consists of three summits: from south to north, the Low Peak (3,593 m or 11,788 ft), the Middle Peak (3,717 m or 12,195 ft) and the High Peak.
Queenstown, New ZealandQueenstown (Māori: Tāhuna) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is the largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District, and the primary administrative centre. The town is on the northwestern edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long, thin, S-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and, just above the town, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.