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When travelling to New Zealand, you must take the time to visit Christchurch. Located on the east coast of New Zealand, Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. New Zealand’s most beautiful gardens are found in Christchurch and infact, the city is widely known as “The Garden City”. Christchurch is a fascinating mix of old English charm, sophisticated nightlife and glorious parks and beaches. Specialising in pink and orange sunrises over the Pacific Ocean, Christchurch is a city that truly shines.
Christchurch lies on the Canterbury Plains, with the snowcapped Southern Alps to the west, the sparkling Pacific Ocean to the east and the adventure filled Port Hills to the southeast. Christchurch is a gateway to some of the best skiing in New Zealand, with the ski resort town of Methven only an hour away and Mt Hutt Ski Field providing great skiing for all levels. Dark sand beaches at Brighton and Sumner are very close to the central city, and if you head a little further out you find local favourites Corsair Bay and Taylor’s Mistake, an excellent surf beach. The Port Hills, with their many hiking and mountain bike trails, are an outdoor lover’s dream and are also home to New Zealand adventure sports such as hang gliding and paragliding. If you prefer not to walk or ride up (and that’s most of us!), the Christchurch Gondola is a great way to get up the Port Hills and has spectacular views over Christchurch city, the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.
Central Christchurch is very compact and you can easily walk around it. Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, shopping and restaurants are all within a 5 minute walk of each other. The Christchurch Tram is a wonderful way to see the city if your legs need a rest. The romantic Avon River winds its way through the centre of town, capable of softening the hardest of hearts. No trip to Christchurch is complete without a punt or boat ride down the Avon. It continues its journey through the stunning Botanical Gardens and on through Hagley Park where locals jog and play the nation’s favourite sports: netball, tennis, hockey and of course, rugby; practically a religion in New Zealand, there aren’t many little boys who don’t dream of becoming an All Black when they grow up. Few make it, but most grown men channel their childhood dreams into a rather passionate support of the game instead!
While Christchurch residents enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, there is also a world-class art, music and fashion scene. The Arts Centre and Christchurch Museum are located opposite the Botanical Gardens. This area features Gothic stone buildings, lively cafes and bars (the Dux Delux is a must), live music and street performers, and the Arts Centre hosts a great weekend market. Relax outside with a fabulous New Zealand coffee or pick up a handmade possum-merino jersey; a purchase you will never ever regret. For designer New Zealand clothing and boutique shopping go to High Street, Victoria Street or New Regent Street. Cashel Street and suburban malls also have great shopping.
Dining out in Christchurch is taken very seriously. Christchurch restaurants serve up fresh, innovative, sophisticated cuisine. Of course, if you just want fish & chips by the beach, that too is easily taken care of. Christchurch has some of the best nightlife in New Zealand, with most bars transforming into cafes by day. For a great night out, head to “The Strip” on Worcester Boulevard, Lichfield and Colombo Streets (for drum & base and the dance scene) or Soul Square.
Christchurch is by far the best place from which to explore the Canterbury region. From here you can visit the Banks Peninsula villages of Akaroa, a quaint French-settled township, and the slightly alternative port town of Lyttelton. Test out the great New Zealand wineries located on the Canterbury Plains or relax in the natural hot springs of Hamner Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Explore both coasts of New Zealand from here; the rugged, even wild, west coast or travel along the stunning east coast to Kaikoura for some whale watching. With all this and so much more, Christchurch is a New Zealand city not to be missed.
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Canterbury Museum Canterbury Museum is renowned for having some of the finest cultural and natural collections in New Zealand, as well as for its creative and imaginative displays. |
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Christchurch Art Gallery The city's public art museum is the home of Christchurch?s public art collection, including international and New Zealand historical and contemporary pieces. |
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Christchurch Central City Lanes Walk Stroll through the lanes and take in the variety of rich architecture, while enjoying some of Christchurch's best boutique shopping, restaurants and bars. |
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Christchurch Tram The tramway offers a quality inner city tour experience that combines the heritage of the trams, attractions and historic buildings with the culture of the Garden City. |
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The Arts Centre Christchurch's hub of arts and crafts, featuring art galleries, craft studios and shops, theatres, cinemas, a selection of cafes, restaurants and bars and an exciting colourful weekend market and ethnic food fair. |
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