Places to go to:
1) Cashmere Hills in Lyttleton Harbour - just outside Christchurch (ChCh) - on a clear day you can see the Canterbury Plains - just great for landscapes
2) Akaroa - its the only French settlement in NZ - about 50miles/80 km out of ChCh - also good for landscapes. Its an extinct volcano and one side has collapse allowing the seawaters to come in and flood the cone. Diameter - perhaps a few km at sea level. Gorgeous scenery - I've spendt many days and nights there but its an ulu place.
3) For good snow scenes, Arthurs' Pass - this will have to be a full day trip. You'll be able to catch glimpses of the Southern Alps.
4) The River Avon - it meanders through the city. The weeping willow trees and the ducks/swans provide many photo opportunities. (Can't remember whether they are still there during winter).
ChCh - the great University town - how it brings back such sweet memories - I studied there more than 40 years ago and yet the scenes are still so vivid in my mind. I can shed a tear each time I think of my days of wild abandon there (didn't pass but who cares!).
There's a casino there and the clubs open all night - at least the last time I was there 10 years ago. Unlike the days when I studied there - the pubs had to shut by 6 pm!
Enjoy yourself- I'm jealous! I only get to visit Melbourne and Sydney each year!
