This is the largest of all the South Island cities with a population in excess of 300,000. Situated at the confluence of the Heathcote and Avon rivers with a back-drop of the Port Hills, Christchurch is the hub of the South Island.

Visitors will immediately notice the very English style layout of the city, with its central Cathedral Square and parallel streets running east, west, north and south. With a great number of parks and the mature trees that are everywhere, the name, the Garden City, is very apt.

Winding its way through the city is the Avon River, gently making its way to the sea near Sumner beach. The river is a focal point for relaxation where you can enjoy an afternoon watching wildlife and the occasional canoeist or take a trip on the very English punts, enjoying champagne & strawberries and a picnic hamper.

In Cathedral Square, you will find buskers and street stalls overlooked by the city's Cathedral. A fully restored Victorian electric tram loops around the city, taking in many of the sights and is a good way to get your bearings as well as taking a step back in time to the pace of yesteryear. The tram passes the historic stone buildings of the Arts Centre with its variety of stalls, galleries and cafes as well as the City's Museum and art galleries which make up the Cultural Precinct.

Christchurch offers outdoor activities for all walks of life, including golf courses and driving ranges, tennis courts, wild life parks, walking tracks, cycle tracks, wind surfing, boating, beaches and much more.

The Mt Cavendish Gondola will take you up to the summit of the Port Hills which surround the city to the south, with spectacular views from the Southern Alps to the sea and Lyttelton Harbour, the remains of a massive volcano which erupted some 11 million years ago.

During the winter there are great ski fields within 1-2 hours drive of the city. Porter Heights is just 90 kilometres from Christchurch airport, making it the closest ski area to Christchurch. Only slightly further away is Mount Hutt, which enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in the Southern Hemisphere.

A drive over the hills to nearby Banks Peninsula provides a wide range of attractions. The French colonial settlement of Akaroa offers colonial architecture, craft stores, cafes and wineries. Relax in the sun at French Farm or head out onto the harbour, where scenic, fishing and wildlife encounter cruises are available.

To the north of Christchurch is the Waipara wine region, where you can enjoy wine tasting and gourmet meals at one of several vineyard restaurants.

Further inland you will find the alpine thermal resort of Hanmer Springs, where you can relax in hot pools, enjoy spa facilities or more active pursuits such as mountain-biking and forest walks.

Further north still is the town of Kaikoura and its world-class whale watching facilities.

Wherever you stay in Auckland, you're never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife.

With your great rental vehicle from Travel New Zealand Rentals, why not get out of the city and explore Greater Auckland?

North: Enjoy the bohemian village of Puhoi, the historic riverside township of Warkworth, the thriving art and gourmet food and wine village of Matakana and the bustling country town of Wellsford. Click here for touring details.

West: The area that this touring route travels through is famous for its great scenery : lush rainforests, rugged black and beaches and rolling green rural landscapes. Click here for touring details.

East: The eastern bays south of the city encompass Manukau City and part of the Franklin District. Explore lush green countryside, white sand beaches and a spectacular forest park. Click here for touring details

South: This route encompasses both Manukau City and the Franklin District with a blend of urban and rural attractions including forests, lakes, waterfalls, country villages, coastline and culture. Don't miss the Otara Markets on Saturday morning for a taste of Polynesian New Zealand. Click here for touring details

Whether you're into winter snow sports or summer adrenalin activities, there's always something to do in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital.

The home of bungy-jumping is also where you'll find white water rafting, heli-skiing, river-sledging, luging and lots of other action-packed ways to have fun!

For a more relaxed stay, Queenstown has lots of great walks around the shores of Lake Wakatipu and into the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds the town.

With your Travel New Zealand rental vehicle, how about venturing further afield and exploring some of these destinations?

Central Otago Wine Trail: From Gibbston Valley to the area around the small towns of Cromwell and Alexandra, explore the Central Otago Wine region. Lots of the vineyards have great cafes and restaurants attached too. Click here for touring details

Arrowtown: The living historic town of Arrowtown is a popular holiday destination all year round. Breathtaking scenery and four very distinct seasons attract visitors from around the globe. Explore the town's gold-mining history, enjoy a meal at a top restaurant or take a walk along the banks of the Arrow River. Autumn is an especially spectacular time to visit. Click here for touring details

Wanaka: for many years Queenstown's “little sister” Wanaka has now come into its own as a tourist destination. Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Wanaka, 120 kilometres north of Queenstown, it offers visitors more stunning scenery, walks, and the unique Puzzling World attraction. Click here for touring details

Milford Sound: a “must-see” for most visitors to New Zealand, this is a big day trip from Queenstown (nearly 300 kilometres by road) and may be easier with an overnight break in nearby Te Anau. The country's most famous tourist destination is known as the “8th Wonder of the World” and is often best viewed by taking one of the many boat cruises out onto the Sound itself. Take insect repellent to ward off the infamous sandflies! Click here for touring details