Canterbury

Geraldine Tourist Information & Accommodation

Geraldine is a tranquil, rural town with a friendly village atmosphere. It is situated 2 hours (136 km) south of Christchurch on the main highway to Mt Cook and Queenstown.
Geraldine is a pretty town where you can get away from the hustle of life and enjoy some genuine Kiwi hospitality. Relax in the fresh air and open spaces.

The town and its surrounding district has something for everyone and at a pace to suit each individual's needs. Attractions and activities include walks, garden visits, artists and craftspeople, white water rafting, golf, fishing, and movies at the historic cinema.

The domain in Cox Street has rose gardens and camping ground, swimming pool, bowling greens, tennis and netball courts and sports fields. Adjacent to the swimming pool is a children's playground and picnic area.

This district offers a variety of walks, whether it is a relaxing stroll beside the river, an easy native bush walk surrounded by bellbirds and fantails, or a rewarding hill climb.

You will have the opportunity to learn about the early history of the town at the lovely stone Historical Museum, or take a step back in time and visit the excellent Vintage Car and Machinery Museum. Then take a walk around the town with the Historic Town Trail assisted by the informative brochure.

Take a scenic drive and visit private gardens and local arts people in their home studios. See lovely old churches, historic lime kiln, etc.
Geraldine has a number of choices for a coffee or meal break. There is also an abundance of accommodation places ranging from camping grounds to motels to farmstays to bed and breakfasts.

Geraldine Accommodation
Four Peaks Lodge
Four Peaks Lodge offers exclusive five-star accommodation for all seasons in the scenic central South Island of New Zealand, just a helicopter hop from International Airports and on a major tourist route. Enjoy all the benefits of a quiet country life style, while basking in the luxury of a boutique hotel. Stop over for bed and breakfast in this romantic retreat, tucked away in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Luxuriate in the stylish and comfortable en suite guest rooms with views over rich farmland and wooded countryside.

HISTORY OF GERALDINE

Geraldine has that country village atmosphere, with majestic old forests, early settlers cottages and little arts and crafts corners. Its friendliness, tranquility and wealth of history make it hard to resist. Geraldine is simply unique...
Geraldine was discovered in the 1840's but it wasn't until 1854 that Samuel Hewlings built the first bark hut in Talbot Street. He married a Maori, Nga Hei, and the totara tree which he planted to mark the birth of his daugther still stands on the site today. Sheep runs were quickly established in the area together with pit saw milling of the native bush. When the bush had been cleared, wheat crops were grown across the plains.

Originally called Talbot Forest, Geraldine was renamed Fitzgerald in 1857 after the first superintendant of Canterbury, the Irishman, Edward Fitzgerald. The name was finally changed to Geraldine, which was the Fitzgerald's family name in Ireland.

Geraldine became a Town Board in 1884 and a Borough in 1905. It was incorporated in the Ashburton electorate in 1908, when its hotels were closed. It remained "dry" until 1950 when the Geraldine Licensing Trust Hotel opened.

Today Geraldine is in the heart of a prosperous farming area with sheep, cattle, deer, dairy cows, cropping and fruit growing in abundance. Almost 2,500 people live in the town and its surroundings areas. It is the headquarters for the nearby State Forests and has modern shopping amenities.