The boutique village of Geraldine lies at the heart of the Waitaha/Canterbury region, at the foot of the wild Southern Alps, on the east coast of the Te Waipounamu/South Island. Geraldine is the gateway to the Lake Tekapo Starlight Reserve and Aoraki/Mt Cook as well as the lakes in the central Mackenzie Basin. It is ideally situated only an hour and half south of Ōtautahi/Christchurch City and International Airport and an equal drive time to Lake Tekapo.

Leave the formal clothes in the wardrobe as casual attire is the norm in Geraldine. However, the changeable sub-alpine environment can mean that set of warm clothes and a waterproof jacket are a good idea to pack into the suitcase.

Drive: Geraldine is easily accessible by road with State highway 79 intersecting through the centre of town. See our maps for further roading information and directions. Fly: Timaru is Geraldine's closest airport and at just a 30 minute drive from town it receives service from Air New Zealand and Virgin Autralia to the major centres domestically, check Air New Zealand for flight details. International flights come in daily to Christchurch International Airport. There are daily bus services from Christchurch to Geraldine. Bus: Daily coach services link Geraldine with Christchurch, Mount Cook and Queenstown, there are also coach services available to other major centres such as Dunedin. Atomic Shuttles- www.atomictravel.co.nz Intercity- www.intercitycoach.co.nz For more information regarding travel please contact the Geraldine Visitor Information Centre on ph: 03-693 1101 or by email .

The village of Geraldine is compact and situated at the foothills of the Four peaks Range that provide many activities for people visiting Geraldine and locals alike. From most accommodation, it is an easy walk to shops and restaurants. There is the Community Vehicle Trust Service that provides a daily link around town. There is not a taxi service in Geraldine that runs 24 hours a day so prior travel arrangements are necessary.

FAQs | Geraldine New Zealand

Q: WHERE IS THERE TO DINE OUT?

From traditional fish 'n' chips to a high end dining experience, Geraldine's range of restaurants, cafes and bars provide a range of choices for dining. Many local restaurants incorporate locally produced products in their dishes for you to enjoy as well. A full list is available in our food and wine menu.

Q: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GERALDINE?

Each of Geraldine's four seasons offer different choices to visitors wanting to experience Geraldine's beauty and relaxed lifestyle. There are plenty of activities for visitors at any time of the year, only natures colours change the scenery.

Q: WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN GERALDINE?

Spring: (Oct-December) Changeable, 11-17degrees C Summer: (January-Mar) Hot and dry, 21-34 degrees C Autumn: (April-June) Warm, temperate days, 12-25 degrees C Winter: (July-September) Crisp, clear days, snowfall possible, 5-12 degrees C

Q: WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN GERALDINE?

A range of New Zealand banks, real estate and consultancy companies have a presence in Geraldine. Visitor information and bookings are available seven days a week as are petrol and gas stations. Geraldine has full medical and dental services, lawyers, accountants, real estate, service clubs, churches and community organisations. A full list of services is available in our services directory.

Q: WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?

There is a generous selection, depending on the budget, for visitors to choose from with more than 1000 beds ranging from camping to backpackers, motels, B&B, and luxury lodges. Each provides a truly Kiwi hospitality experience that you will not soon forget. Check out or accommodation page for further information or contact the Geraldine Visitor Information Centre Ph: 03-693 1101 or by email .

Q: HOW DOES THE SHOPPING (AND PRICES) COMPARE WITH ELSEWHERE?

Geraldine has a great range of shops for a town with a permanent population of around 3000. From locally produced arts and crafts to a quality supermarket, from mementos to high fashion, Geraldine can cater for all tastes. Prices compare favourably with main-street New Zealand. Major credit cards are accepted and there are a number of banks and businesses that will assist with travellers cheques or foreign currency. Check out our shopping directory to find out more about Geraldine's shopping experience.