Geraldine is a picturesque town blessed with leafy parks, English-style gardens, a flourishing arts scene and tasty farm-to-table food. Geraldine is also a hub for heart-racing adventures on New Zealand's South Island, including white-water rafting, waterfall rappelling and scenic flights.

Things to do

Overflowing with azaleas and rhododendrons, the River Garden Walk is the pride and joy of Geraldine's green-thumbed locals. You can also explore a series of well-marked trails in the Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve dotted with "kahikatea" white pines and ancient totara trees.

The tempting Talbot Forest Cheese shop showcases Geraldine's flourishing farm-to-table food scene. Inside you'll find enormous piles of parmesan, gruyere, brie and other local cheeses. Stock up on homemade preserves at Barker's of Geraldine, where you'll be tempted by raspberry jam, brewed ginger beer, spiced eggplant chutney, beetroot relish and redcurrant jelly.

Admire rare automobiles at the Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum, including a 1907 De Dion-Bouton, 1926 Bentley and custom-built Daimler used to transport Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip around New Zealand during the 1954 royal tour. Housed in the Heritage-listed Town Board Office building, the Geraldine Historical Museum showcases photographs and antiques.

Geraldine offers plenty of adrenalin-fuelled adventures, from white-water rafting in the spectacular Rangitata gorge to rappelling down waterfalls. For knockout views, you can take to the skies on a scenic flight over Mount Cook and Franz Josef Glacier with Air Rangitata.

Getting around

The Geraldine town centre is easy to get around on foot, with most sights and attractions within walking distance. A rental car offers the freedom to explore South Canterbury and the Southern Alps. Drive from Christchurch in two hours or catch the train.