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Christchurch Area
Said to be the oldest city to be officially established in New Zealand, Christchurch is a mix of English charm and rugged beauty. With its ideal location next to the ocean and large number of parks and gardens, Christchurch is truly one of New Zealand's must-see destinations. Known as "The Garden City", it is a nature-lover's dream. This quiet little town is a great place to relax and enjoy the historical buildings which give visitors a glimpse of times gone by.
Highlights of Christchurch
- Cathedral Square
- Botanical Gardens
- Christchurch Arts Centre
- International Antarctic Center
- Punting on the Avon
Historical Sites
Cathedral Square
At the heart of Christchurch is Cathedral Square. With is myriad of shops, restaurants, street performers, and its use as a local venue for special events, it's a great place to spend a few hours, or even a day. The Christ Church cathedral is a beautiful backdrop to this bustling and lively setting where you can grab a bite to eat, buy a unique local souvenir or just soak-in the atmosphere which makes this Square unique. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm (with extra days for visiting Cruise Ships)
Ferrymead Heritage Park
If you're interested in stepping back in time to experience what it was like to live in colonial Christchurch, you might be interested in paying a visit to Ferrymead Heritage Park. Visiters can experience the streets, buildings, fashions and transportation of that era. Historically, Ferrymead is also where the first New Zealand Railway was founded. The Park is open daily from 10am-4:30pm.
The Arts Centre
The name "Arts Centre" is a bit misleading as it sounds more like a museum. In reality, Christchurch's "Arts Centre" is an entire area with a variety of art galleries, craft studios, shops, as well as theatres, cinemas, cafes, restaurants and bars. There are regular lunchtime concerts on Fridays and live music every weekend in the summer. Historically, this site was the original home to Canterbury University College which was established in 1873. The oldest lecture theater in New Zealand can also be found here. For more information, you can visit the following website: www.artscentre.org.nz
Botanical Gardens
Christchurch's Botanical Gardens are said to contain the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants anywhere in New Zealand. Rock, water, rose and herb gardens are beautifully accented by majestic trees and large, sweeping lawns. No matter what time of year you go, you can expect spectacular garden displays. The Information Centre is open from 10.15am - 4pm, from September to April, and 11am - 3pm, May to August. The grounds open at 7am and close one hour before sunset. Photos and additional information may be found at: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks/botanicGardens
Nga Hau E Wha Marae
While hard to pronounce, don't let the name put you off. Nga Hau E Wha Marae (Marae) is a fantastic place to learn more about the native Maori people of New Zealand. The Marae has two beautifully carved Aoraki (meeting houses) where there are a number of different cultural experiences available. There are daytime guided tours, specialised workshops, Marae sleepovers, as well as traditional dance performances. Make sure you book in advance if you are interested as these cultural experiences tend to fill-up quickly. Visit www.nationalmarae.co.nz for more details.
Activities
International Antarctic Centre
Twice voted the best attraction in New Zealand, The International Antarctic Centre is a unique and interactive way to experience what being on the Antarctic is actually like, without having to go there in person. With it's variety of fun and educational activities, the Centre offers you the chance to do things like shelter in an ice cave, ride in a genuine Antarctic vehicle, and even brave an Antarctic storm. There are also some fantastic audiovisual presentations as well as a wide-range of other great activities to enjoy.www.iceberg.co.nz
Christchurch Wildlife Harbor Cruises
Only 15 minutes by boat from Christchurch you can see one of the world's rarest and smallest dolphins as well as Blue Penguins and numerous other species of birds nesting along the coast. The Harbor cruises are a great way to experience some of the natural beauty New Zealand has to offer and this particular attraction won the "best activity" award in 2002 and 2003.
Punting on the Avon
The Avon River in Christchurch offers visitors a chance to enjoy a relaxing boat-ride on a punt (special long boats that have a standing oarsman). Riding on a punt, something that is decidedly English, is a great way to experience Christchurch's historical past as well as to enjoy the beautiful willow trees that line the riverbank. Punting departs daily (depending on the weather). In summer they run from 9am to dusk and in winter from 10am to 4pm. Tickets may be purchased from the Christchurch Visitor Centre.
Christchurch Gondola
Enjoy unique 360-degree panoramic views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour as you ride up to the summit of Christchurch's famous extinct volcano. Only a 15 minute drive from Christchurch, this is a great way to take in the area's beautiful scenery.
Places to Stay
Hostels
There are a wide variety of hostels in Christchurch. To search for hostels online with full descriptions, photos and availability information, please access the following link: http://reservations.bookhostels.com/isecard.com/. The $2 reservation fee will be waived when booking through this site.
Places to Eat
It has been said that Christchurch offers some of the best food in New Zealand (and the World). Some of the local favorites include kumara, whitebait, pavlova, and lamb. Below are a sampling of some popular spots:
Pescatore
Famous for its local cuisine and wonderful selection of seafood. Pescatore, located in The George Hotel, combines inspirational dishes with a dedication to excellence, delivering the ultimate dining experience.
Tiffany's Restaurant & Bar
Located on the banks of the Avon River, Tiffany's is situated in one of the most iconic areas of Christchurch.
Cook 'n' with Gas Bistro
Located opposite the Christchurch Arts Centre in an 1896 villa, Cook 'n' with gas is a popular bistro that serves quality local and New Zealand cuisine to go with their extensive list of beverages.
Six Chairs Missing
The award winning Six Chairs Missing offers delicious, modern New Zealand cuisine. Enjoy delightful indoor and outdoor dining situated along the picturesque New Regent Street.
Dux de Lux
Located on the corner of Hereford and Montreal St., Dux de Lux shouldn't be missed. It offers some great vegetarian and seafood cuisine and visitors and sit indoors or outdoors while dining. There are also hand crafted beers as well as live music and a great atmosphere. Go to www.thedux.co.nz for more information.
Getting Around
Tram
A great way to see Christchuch is to take one of the restored heritage trams to tour the city. The operating hours of the trams are: 9am - 6pm (1 April - 31 October) and 9am - 9pm (1 November - 31 March) with the last tram leaving Cathedral Square 30 minutes prior to closing time.
Walking
Christchurch is a great city for walking. There are a lot of great shops and an outdoor market to enjoy in the Cathedral Square area and since it is flat, it's an ideal way to get around.
Biking
The fact that Christchurch is flat makes it an ideal place for biking as well. There are various places to rent bicycles throughout the city.
Bus
The bus service is cheap and efficient. Most buses run from the City Exchange.
Moving On
Air
Christchurch is well connected with both international and domestic flights. The International flights are somewhat limited, but you can get to Australia and a handful of other countries from here. Air New Zealand is the primary carrier for domestic flights.
Bus
Regular coach services will get you south to Queenstown, Picton, Mt. Cook and Dunedin as well as take you west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass.
Train
Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre.
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