‘The Garden City’

The garden city of Christchurch is New Zealand’s most English and instantly wins visitors over with its charm. Situated on the pancake flat Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps as a backdrop and the Port Hills on its doorstep this city of almost 370,000 residents has a wealth of attractions to enjoy and makes a wonderful year round destination. During summer the city basks in warm weather from its famous north-westerly winds, in autumn the city turns golden brown as its many elm trees loose their leaves in an orgy of colour, in winter the snow on the Alps shines on the horizon inviting skiers to play and in spring the city explodes into a riot of blossom and flowers as the tens of thousands of bulbs welcome the sun in a sea of buds.

Christchurch was already mapped out and planned before any of the first colonists arrived. The Canterbury Association in England decided to create a Church of England settlement in the new colony replicating olde England. When the first four ships arrived in 1850 they were greeted by a swamp from the flooding Avon River but quickly set about draining it and laid out their fine new city. Priority was given to New Zealand’s most famous cathedral which proudly sits at the city’s heart and to New Zealand’s finest botanic garden. The city clearly retains its English characteristics and eccentricity complete with a town cryer and the famous Wizard who lectures outside the cathedral at 2pm most days.

Hagley Park’s 161 hectares occupies the heart of the inner city area. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy the mature trees, walks, cricket, rugby matches, cycling, or rent a canoe from the Antigua Boat Sheds to explore the Avon River which meanders through the park, a year round favourite. The Christchurch Botanical Gardens, first established in 1863 is located within the park and covers some 30 hectares, home to over 10,000 exotic and indigenous plants with many classed as ‘antique’ being over 100 years old. The rose gardens and tropical glass house are particular highlights.
 

It is truly amazing how many superb attractions a city of Christchurch’s size has to enjoy. With many fine uncrowded greens, golf is a major pastime in the city so bring your clubs! The city also has two wild life parks, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Art Gallery, the Christchurch Gondola with its panoramic views across the plains while the historic Sign of the Takahe Castle is the ideal place to enjoy a Devonshire tea while crossing the Port Hills on the way to discovering the quant port of Lyttelton with its Victorian era charms and outstanding views. During the winter the snow fields are only a short 1-2 hours drive west. Christchurch also makes for a great place to begin your tour of the South Island taking in places such as Queenstown, Fiordland, Dunedin, Mount Cook, and Abel Tasman National Park.

First class restaurants abound with wonderful fresh produce from the surrounding Canterbury plains, an agriculturally rich and diverse region. Oxford Terrace in the city centre has some of the best eateries side by side with outdoor dining and fabulous views to enjoy. As for shopping, the city centre has been emasculated by the proliferation of malls which by international standards are quite ordinary. However a visit to the South Island’s largest department store, Ballantyne’s on Colombo St is well worth a visit as are the Riccarton Markets every Sunday morning at Riccarton Racecourse. Here you can buy everything from home made pickles to local arts and crafts at very reasonable prices.

Christchurch accommodation options range from excellent backpackers lodges through to Five Star Hotels. A stay in the off season can be rewarded by discounted rates so booking early can result in big savings. To complement a days sightseeing, enjoying a show at the Court Theatre is a must for culture lovers.

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