21 August 2026 - 10 minute read time
Canterbury is one of New Zealand's best regions for a family school holiday escape. From coastal farms on Banks Peninsula to high country huts near ski fields and wild coastal properties on the Kaikōura Coast, there's a stunning range of accommodation to stay with kids within a half-day drive of Christchurch.
Whether you're after a family cabin in the Canterbury high country, a beachside escape on Banks Peninsula, or simply somewhere to stay with the children these school holidays that feels a little more special than the usual options — these handpicked escapes are worth knowing about. All welcome children with most having no age restrictions, all sit within easy reach of Christchurch city, and all offer the kind of natural setting that makes a school holiday feel like a proper adventure.
The Matchbox: Waimate, Canterbury
Named after the tiny house that hosts Adam and Karen lived in while teaching and travelling overseas, The Matchbox is a beautifully designed cabin on a Waimate sheep and cattle farm with 360-degree views up and down the East Coast to the Pacific Ocean. An outdoor hot tub, wood burner, and log fire make it a cosy school holiday base in any season.
Day trips to Mt Aoraki, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, the Oamaru penguin colony, and Timaru's Caroline Bay are all within reach, making The Matchbox a great central base for a South Canterbury school holiday adventure.
Children welcome | From NZ$280/pn | Sleeps 2 | 2.5hrs from Christchurch, 15 mins from Waimate
Lavericks Bay Beach Cabin: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
View Lavericks Bay Beach Cabin →
Steps from the beach on the historic 1,000-hectare Lavericks Bay farm on Banks Peninsula, this is one of the most genuinely exciting family escapes in Canterbury. The two-bedroom eco-renovated cabin sleeps up to five, with a hot tub outside for evenings and the beach — perfect for swimming, fishing, rock hopping, kayaking, and boogie boarding — right on the doorstep.
The only others likely to be at the beach during your stay are the campers at Lavericks Bay Camp further up the valley. Akaroa is 35 minutes away for a village lunch or dolphin cruise, and the farm itself has been in the same family since the 1850s — giving the whole experience an authenticity that holiday parks simply can't replicate.
As one guest said: "Lavericks Bay is captivating as soon as you drive into the farm gates. There is something very special about this place. Harriet and Lloyd have done an amazing job of sharing their farm and the cabin was so warm and comfortable for our whole family (of six). One of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed! Thank you!"
Children welcome | From NZ$350/pn | Sleeps 5 | 35 mins from Akaroa, just under 2hrs from Christchurch
Top of the Plains: Surrey Hills, Canterbury
Set in Surrey Hills 1.5 hours from Christchurch, Top of the Plains has a queen bed plus a loft with two singles — making it a brilliant school holiday option for a family with one or two kids. The wood-fired hot tub delivers a genuine 360-degree mountain and plains panorama, and in summer the Hinds River at the base of the farm is perfect for cooling off after a big day.
Mt Hutt is just 30 minutes away for ski days in winter, and the surrounding Canterbury high country offers plenty of adventure in summer. One of the most child-friendly escapes in the Methven area.
Children welcome | From NZ$360/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 30 mins from Mt Hutt
Tawanui Farm - The Domes: Cheviot, Canterbury
Two geodesic domes on a working sheep, beef, and deer farm in the Hurunui River Valley, with a large hot tub landscaped into the hillside between them and 180-degree views of the Inland Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific Ocean. With exclusive use of the entire site for up to eight guests, this is one of the most exciting group family escapes in Canterbury.
Host Mike offers ATV farm tours that are a big hit with kids, and there’s plenty more adventure nearby, like jet boating at Hurunui River to whale watching in Kaikōura. It’s a great spot for an action-packed school holiday.
One guest summed it up perfectly: "Such a wonderful escape from everyday worries. The kids truly enjoyed a Kiwi weekend getaway, complete with marshmallows."
Children welcome | From NZ$340/pn | Sleeps 8 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 15 mins from Cheviot
Hill Block Hut: Waipara, North Canterbury
A beautifully styled three-bedroom country-luxe hut on the historic Stormont farm in the Waipara Gorge Area, just 50 minutes from Christchurch. Panoramic views in every direction, a Rayburn coal range for hearty family cooking, a wood-fired hot tub, and Waipara wine country on the doorstep. Children and horses are both welcome, making it one of the most flexible family escapes in North Canterbury.
The Waipara Gorge is a fantastic spot for a morning fossil hunt, and the charming Amberley township is just 15 minutes away for supplies and coffee.
Children and horses welcome | From NZ$450/pn | Sleeps 5 | 50 mins from Christchurch, 15 mins from Amberley
Rockwood Station: The Carriage, Windwhistle, Canterbury
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A lovingly restored 1800s railway goods carriage set where two streams meet on a fifth-generation Canterbury farm — one of the most genuinely unique family stays in the South Island. Two bedrooms sleep up to four, 100 acres of native bush are yours to explore, a natural swimming hole sits at the base of the farm, and Mt Hutt is 50 minutes away for ski days in winter. Horses are welcome too, making it a rare find for families who want to bring their horse along for the adventure.
No WiFi and no cell signal make this a brilliant genuine digital detox for the whole family — a school holiday where the kids are forced to actually go outside and discover what's there.
As one guest described it as, "such a treat to get away together as a family."
Children welcome | From NZ$335/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1hr 15 mins from Christchurch, 50 mins from Mt Hutt
Tussock Rocks: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
Atop a secluded grassy hillside on Banks Peninsula with incredible seascape views stretching to Christchurch and Kaikoura in the distance, Tussock Rocks is a two-bedroom retreat that works perfectly for families. A cosy window seat, crackling wood burner, fully equipped kitchen, clawfoot bathtub on the deck, and a telescope for watching boats drift by make for a wonderfully self-contained family experience.
Note that a 4WD vehicle is required to access the property — which adds to the adventure. Akaroa is 40 minutes away for a village day trip, and the Banks Peninsula coastline offers walks, swimming spots, and wildlife viewing throughout.
Children welcome | 4WD required | From NZ$295/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 40 mins from Akaroa
Sky House: Cheviot, North Canterbury
A bright, beautifully designed family cabin near Cheviot in North Canterbury, with children and dogs both welcome. The hosts Anna and Rupert have two kids of their own and have thought carefully about what families need. Gore Bay beach — a great spot for surfing, swimming, rock pool exploring, and crayfish hunting at low tide — is just 15 minutes away, Kaikoura is under an hour for whale watching and dolphin swimming, and Hanmer Springs is 1hr 15 mins for thermal pools and family activities.
A portacot is available for guests to use, making Sky House a genuinely practical option for families with younger children too.
Children welcome | Dogs welcome | From NZ$320/pn | Sleeps 4 | 1.5hrs from Christchurch, 15 mins from Gore Bay
Camp Kekerengu: Kaikōura Coast, Canterbury
A stunning coastal farm stay on the Kaikōura Coast, 2 hours from Christchurch on a 1,100-hectare hill country farm that has been in the Todhunter family for three generations. A deep outdoor bath sits under the stars for evening soaks, and the coastline is just 10 to 15 minutes walk for beach walks and swimming. Okiwi Bay beach is 15 minutes away for swimming and body boarding, and Clarence River Rafting makes for an unforgettable family day out.
As one guest said: "We loved it, as did our kids. It had everything you needed and was super warm."
Children welcome | From NZ$290/pn | Sleeps 4 | 2hrs from Christchurch
Things to Do Near These Escapes
Banks Peninsula: Akaroa village, dolphin and nature cruises, Akaroa Cooking School, kayaking, cycling, Pohatu Penguin Reserve, and Banks Peninsula Track walks.
Canterbury high country: Mt Hutt ski field, Rakaia Gorge walkway, jet boating, Hakatere Conservation Park, and salmon fishing in the Rakaia River.
Kaikōura: Whale watching, swimming with dolphins, the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, seal colonies, seafood, and Mangamaunu surf beach.
North Canterbury: Waipara wine region, Hanmer Springs thermal pools, Hurunui River, Weka Pass Historic Reserve, and Maori Rock Drawings at Weka Pass.
South Canterbury: Mt Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, Twizel, Oamaru penguin colony, and Timaru's Caroline Bay.
FAQs: School Holiday Stays Near Christchurch
Where can I stay with kids near Christchurch these school holidays?
Several of our escapes are within 1.5 hours of Christchurch and welcome children, including Erehwon Cabin in North Canterbury (45 mins), Hill Block Hut in Waipara (50 mins), and Top of the Plains near Methven (1.5hrs).
Which escapes near Christchurch are best for beach access?
Lavericks Bay Beach Cabin on Banks Peninsula is steps from its own private beach. Sky House near Cheviot is 15 minutes from Gore Bay beach, and Camp Kekerengu on the Kaikōura Coast is a short walk to the coastline.
Which escapes near Christchurch sleep the most people?
Tawanui Farm Domes near Cheviot sleeps up to 8 guests and is one of the best large group or big family options near Christchurch. Hill Block Hut in Waipara sleeps 5.
Are there family-friendly escapes near Christchurch that welcome dogs?
Yes! Sky House near Cheviot and Tussock Rocks on Banks Peninsula both welcomes both children and your furry friends.
Are there family-friendly escapes near Christchurch that welcome horses?
Yes! Hill Block Hut in Waipara and Rockwood Station The Carriage in Windwhistle both welcome horses, making them two of the few escapes in Canterbury where the whole family, four-legged members included, can come along for the school holidays.
Which Christchurch-area escapes are close to ski fields?
Top of the Plains is 30 minutes from Mt Hutt, and Rockwood Station The Carriage is 50 minutes from Mt Hutt — both great school holiday bases for families who want to combine a nature stay with ski days.
About Canopy Camping Escapes
Canopy Camping Escapes is a New Zealand-owned collection of 230+ handpicked nature-based accommodation properties across Aotearoa. Every property is chosen for its beauty, its character, and the quality of the host behind it.
Whether you're searching for school holiday accommodation near Christchurch, family stays in Canterbury, somewhere to stay with kids on Banks Peninsula, or a family farm stay near Kaikōura, we've got a spot for you.
