Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand’s beautiful South Island. It is known internationally as “The Garden City,” for its abundance of parks and expansive public gardens. It hosts a floral festival every February to showcase its wealth of flowers and stunning garden designs. But Christchurch’s beauty is not limited to gardens. Its location is simply stunning, surrounded by mountains and the sea.
Explore the centre of the city and discover its many cultural wonders. The Centre of Contemporary Art and the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu is worth a visit for its vast collection of works by New Zealand and international artists. The city’s lanes and walks, once home to warehouses and industrial complexes, have become a thriving entertainment and retail district, full of Christchurch’s best shopping, restaurants and bars. If you have limited time to holiday in the city, take a guided tour by bicycle. Designated bike lanes make navigating easy. You’ll get a quick overview of the sights and general feel for the layout of the city.
Christchurch has extraordinary attractions. Plan a visit to the International Antarctic Centre - a winner among families for its penguins, science exhibits, and a simulation of polar weather. Orana Wildlife Park is a nice outing as well. As New Zealand’s largest sanctuary, it aims to conserve the world’s most endangered animals. Take the gondola up to the summit of Port Hills and stay for dinner in a restaurant with a thrilling view. Christchurch has a definite British feel with fish ‘n chip shops, pubs, and celebrations like Guy Fawkes’ night, but its natural settings are pure New Zealand.
The nearby Lyttelton Farmers’ Market is a fantastic place to try local specialties like New Zealand smoked salmon, sheep’s milk cheeses, and fruit.
Shopping on High Street is a great way to spend the day, browsing through the boutiques of local fashion designers, quaint galleries, and cafés.
Making new friends is easy. Just visit one of the pubs and share a pint of ginger beer (a local brew) and sing the praises of the All-Blacks football club.