The Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes
Around Canterbury you'll find the Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes. Ask your guide about whale and wildlife watching — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Northland → Canterbury
Mangawhai Heads to WaimateAdventure tours & scenic experiences
Set out from Mangawhai Heads towards Waimate and the landscape starts telling its own story well before you arrive.
Waimate sits in Canterbury — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps. Travel privately with a local driver-guide and the day becomes yours: stop for the view, take the short walk, and let someone else handle the wheel.
Canterbury
South Island experiences
A taste of what a day around Waimate can hold.
Alpine passes and high-country stations
Around Canterbury you'll find alpine passes and high-country stations. Ask your guide about stargazing — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
A rebuilt garden city with street art everywhere
Around Canterbury you'll find a rebuilt garden city with street art everywhere. Ask your guide about scenic rail journeys — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Whale-watching and volcanic harbours on the coast
Around Canterbury you'll find whale-watching and volcanic harbours on the coast. Ask your guide about alpine hiking — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Tour & experience options
Ways to travel between Mangawhai Heads and Waimate.
Full-day adventure tour
A big day out with your own guide — viewpoints, short walks and the landmarks that pull people to the South Island in the first place.
Scenic lake & mountain transfer
Move between towns the slow way, stopping at lake edges, passes and lookouts that most travellers drive straight past.
Hiking & walking tour
Guided time on foot, from gentle lakeside strolls to a genuine day walk, matched to your fitness and the conditions.
Multi-stop scenic journey
String several highlights together in one private vehicle, with the flexibility to linger where it's worth lingering.
Luxury experience
Premium vehicle, a hand-picked guide and a day shaped around cellar doors, private walks and quiet corners.
Why travel between Mangawhai Heads and Waimate
Your driver-guide is a local. They know which lookout is clear in the morning, which café is worth the stop and which short walk is worth the shoes.
The road between Mangawhai Heads and Waimate threads through the kind of country people fly across the world to see — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps.
Going private means the day belongs to you: no fixed departure times, no coach-load of strangers, and no rushing past something you wanted to photograph.
Gateway experiences
Make the most of both ends of your journey.
Mangawhai Heads
Before you set out, Mangawhai Heads is a good place to slow down — Northland is known for Māori and colonial heritage at the birthplace of the nation and quiet white-sand beaches and seafood straight off the boat.
Waimate
Once you arrive, Waimate opens up alpine hiking, scenic rail journeys and stargazing in and around the wider Canterbury area.
Frequently asked questions
More day trips from Mangawhai Heads
Ready to see Waimate?
Tell us what you'd like to do and we'll come back with a private itinerary and a clear quote.