Selwyn district, Canterbury, New Zealand

Places to visit near Leeston

Leeston is a town in Selwyn district, Canterbury, New Zealand, home to about 1,272 people. Within 50 km by road there are 253 places to visit — 45 wildlife, forests & gardens, 34 churches, 30 beaches & coast and 30 parks. The must-see places are Yarrs Flat Wildlife Reserve (18 km), Ōmawete / Coopers Knob (36 km) and Ōrongomai / Cass Peak (37 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Leeston on the map

Leeston, Canterbury
Leeston, Selwyn district, Canterbury, New Zealand. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Leeston at a glance

Location
Selwyn district, Canterbury, New Zealand
Population
about 1,272
Coordinates
43.7667° S, 172.3000° E
Places within 50 km
253 (59 must-see)
Best time to visit
November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; October to March for beaches & coast; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Leeston

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Leeston: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Leeston, by type

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Leeston

50 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve (7 km); the best-known is Yarrs Flat Wildlife Reserve (18 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Churches near Leeston

37 churches within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is Saint Stephens (26 km); the best-known is Our Lady of Victories Parish (41 km). Best time: year-round.

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Beaches & coast near Leeston

36 beaches & coast within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is Timber Yard Point (9 km). Best time: october to march.

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Parks near Leeston

34 parks within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is Miss Bartle's Green (25 km); the best-known is Christchurch Adventure Park (41 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Leeston

33 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is McQueens Valley (34 km); the best-known is Ōmawete / Coopers Knob (36 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Forts & heritage near Leeston

29 forts & heritage within 100 km of Leeston. The closest is Old Halswell Quarry (36 km); the best-known is Cracroft Caverns (42 km). Best time: october to february.

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A one-day trip from Leeston

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 44 km on the road.

  1. Start in Leeston
  2. 7 km Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve · nature spot, Selwyn
  3. 3 km Lakeside Wildlife Management Reserve · nature spot, Selwyn
  4. 2 km Timber Yard Point · beach, Selwyn
  5. 14 km Yarrs Flat Wildlife Reserve · nature spot, Selwyn
  6. 8 km Williams Government Purpose Reserve Wildlife Management · nature spot, Selwyn
  7. 10 km Back to Leeston

Plan a longer trip from Leeston — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Leeston

No traveller has reported from around Leeston yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Leeston

    All places near Leeston by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Leeston by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Wildlife, forests & gardens4550Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve (7 km)
    Churches3437Saint Stephens (26 km)
    Beaches & coast3036Timber Yard Point (9 km)
    Parks3034Miss Bartle's Green (25 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2333McQueens Valley (34 km)
    Forts & heritage2829Old Halswell Quarry (36 km)
    Other attractions2626The Big Salmon of Rakaia (28 km)
    Museums1416Air Force Museum (39 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs99Coopers Lagoon (14 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves77Rākaia Island (16 km)
    Waterfalls34Anne's Falls (34 km)
    Mosques & dargahs22Al Noor Mosque (45 km)
    Caves01Moncks Cave Reserve (53 km)
    Buddhist sites11Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (45 km)
    Treks11High Street (47 km)

    Leeston: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Leeston?

    Yarrs Flat Wildlife Reserve (nature spot, about 18 km), Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve (nature spot, about 7 km), Timber Yard Point (beach, about 9 km), Lakeside Wildlife Management Reserve (nature spot, about 9 km), Williams Government Purpose Reserve Wildlife Management (nature spot, about 10 km), Wards Government Purpose Reserve Wildlife Management (nature spot, about 12 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Leeston?

    253 places on Spotwander: 45 wildlife, forests & gardens, 34 churches, 30 beaches & coast, 30 parks, 23 hill stations & viewpoints.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Leeston?

    Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve, about 7 km by road; Lakeside Wildlife Management Reserve (9 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Leeston?

    Saint Stephens, about 26 km by road; St Saviour's Anglican Church - Templeton (35 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest beach to Leeston?

    Timber Yard Point, about 9 km by road; Fishermans Point (14 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Leeston?

    Start in Leeston, visit Harts Creek Wildlife Management Reserve, then Lakeside Wildlife Management Reserve, then Timber Yard Point, then Yarrs Flat Wildlife Reserve, then Williams Government Purpose Reserve Wildlife Management, and drive back — about 44 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Leeston?

    November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; October to March for beaches & coast; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Leeston

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Leeston’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Leeston on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.