A 6 hour drive SW from Christchurch, Queenstown is a small town set along the north shore of Lake Wakatipu. Famous for its natural surroundings - large mountain ranges, expansive plains, pristine waterways and dominating woodlands, Queenstown offers its visitors a range of outdoor activities - biking, hiking, skiing, boating/rafting, bungy jumping and so on, wine regions that produce some of New Zealand's best Pinot Noirs and the space to relax - lounges, bars, spas, golfing opportunities, historic landmarks and attractions (One Mile Powerhouse, Historic Skipper's School, etc.), and a shopping district that will leave you pampered.

A 5 hour drive NW of Christchurch and regarded as one of the "most impressive" sights on planet Earth, the Franz Josef Glacier is New Zealand's most attractive tourism destination; and the local guides find every and any way to make the experience exciting - heli-flights, short guided walks along the ice, uphill ice-climbs for serious mountaineers. Surprisingly enough, the region does not remain frigid all across, and the nearby townships have provided an escape from the cold - hot spas, mud baths, luscious warm rain forests, etc. all aiming to relax you to your core. With a variety of resorts - luxury and budget - overlooking the glacier, accommodation is manageable, making Franz Josef a must.

A town that gets funkier every year, Oamaru is a short 4 hour drive south of Christchurch. The central town of the Waitaki District Oamaru is fun for everyone; boasting a large Steampunk Playground, the Blue Penguin Colony, the Oamaru Opera House and the Oamaru Aquatic Centre, along with its gorgeous natural reserves - biking and hiking trails line every inch of the Victorian town and its surroundings (mirrored in its gardens - Fenwick Park, Oamaru Public Gardens and the Glenn Warren Reserve). Oamaru is also flush with shopping options, golf courses, world-class restaurants and a beachfront that is so laid back you'd probably spend the night.

A 3 hour drive west of Christchurch and a UNESCO reserve site, Lake Tekapo is a beautiful mirror to the sky. Being a part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, stargazing is one of the main attractions here that seems to draw tourists from all around the world. A picturesque getaway (preferably with your significant other), the township is riddled with a variety of outdoor opportunities - air safaris, astronomy tours, hiking/trekking, hot springs, cruises, horse riding, skiing, biking, hunting and finally golf. Head down to Lake Tekapo - a naturally gifted region - if you want to relax and unwind.

Nestled by the expansive Mount Richmond Forest Park to the West and Cloudy Bay to its East, Blenheim is a small vacation town that is only a 6 hour drive from Christchurch. Claimed to be the "sunniest town in New Zealand", with over 2,438 hours of sunshine a year, Blenheim is famous for its artisanal wines, shops, cafes, parks, restaurants and art galleries. A pleasant town that is as laid-back as the Cloudy Bay before it, Blenheim is that perfect weekend getaway.