Official Language:
English
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Currency:
New Zealand Dollar
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Population:
Approximately 337,000 people call Christchurch hom
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Christchurch Lyttleton:
Summers are warm, however cooler than the North Island. High temperatures in the day are between 70°F-80°F/21°C-27°C. Winter is from June to August and summer is from December to February.
Summer: December - January - February
Warm over most of the country with day time temperatures from the low teens to over 30°C
Autumn: March - April, Winter: May- June - July - August.
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New Zealand is such a diverse and dynamic country that you must visit a variety of regions to truly get a taste of the wonder that awaits. Christchurch is a glorious location, full of great restaurants, beautiful beaches, and outstanding museums. The gardens and cultural centers are fantastic, and the greater Christchurch area stretches from the Southern Alps all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The wide array of outdoor activities is one of the best features of Christchurch, and from kayaking to golf, and from sailing to mountain biking, The Mainland has it all. This is the nickname given to the area surrounding the airport, and perhaps the most charming feature of Christchurch is that 20% of the surface land is devoted to nature reservations, recreation facilities, and public parks. This exemplifies the care and concern that the local government and the citizens have for their community. They are a close-knit and respectful bunch, and you will find that the inhabitants of Christchurch are friendly and will assist you in any way they can.
An interesting and amusing aspect of Christchurch is that it is a very English city, one that was once under the rule of England and seems to have stayed that way. The architecture in the city is distinctly southern English, with Victorian-style buildings and quaint little homes. The streets and stores are cute and homey, and the majority of the time you will feel like you are in a small town in the country. But during the summer, when the weather heats up and everyone heads to the beach, the city really livens up and becomes a hot vacation spot. The air is crisp, the water blue, and the amenities plentiful. 337,000 people live in Christchurch, making it the largest city in the South Island. With all its lush plant life, it is definitely no coincidence that it has been named the Garden City of New Zealand. Gorgeous flowers and trees line the streets, colorful parks are plentiful, and the square in the center of town is radiant with elegance and grace. Sections of Christchurch can become bitterly cold in the winter time, making the other three seasons more favorable times to visit. But no matter when you visit, you are sure to leave energized and inspired.
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Christchurch, located at Private Bag 501 in Lyttelton. The downtown region of Christchurch is located 12 km from the port, and is easily accessible by taxi and bus service. The Christchurch has an efficient bus transportation system known as the Canride. You could easily use this bus system as your sole means of transportation while in the cit. Bus Info line (tel. 03/366-8855) for specific information. Christchurch is ahead of the times in the transportation department, and features complimentary, pollution-free electric shuttle service for your convenience. It travels between the casino, Victoria Square, Cathedral Square, and other main attractions. If you would prefer to take a taxi, contact Blue Star (tel. 03/379-9799) for a ride. Or simply explore the charming streets of Christchurch on foot!
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Attractions |
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Arts Centre:
The original site of the University of Canterbury has been transformed into Christchurch's Arts Centre, opposite the Botanic Gardens. The Gothic Revival buildings now house galleries, craft studios and shops, theatres and cinemas. There is also a selection of cafes, restaurants and bars, a weekend market and ethnic food stalls.
Science groupies will get their kicks from a visit to the former lab of 'Father of the Atom', Ernest Rutherford. The Arts Centre also contains an annex of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery (the main site is across the road near the entrance of the Botanic Gardens), housing its contemporary New Zealand collection.
Banks of the Avon:
The Avon is a delight to simply stroll along, or, if you're up for its watery delights, find the historic Antigua Boatsheds and hire a boat, or better still a punt. The river meanders right through the unmissable Botanic Gardens, which has an amazing collection of exotic and indigenous plants. Hagley Park lies on the other side and is a draw for the sports-loving locals on weekends. More gorgeous gardens can be found on the other side of North Hagley Park, at Mona Vale, a Tudor-style homestead with extensive gardens, fountains and ponds.
Cathedral Square:
The main tourist information center. Most attractions you can reach on foot. Gather information on what you would like to see here and move forward. Although attracting its fair share of tourists, it's also well used by locals. The Cathedral, built in Gothic Revival style and symbolising the Church of England bedrock of this city, dominates the square. There's a visitor centre-cum-souvenir shop and cafe, and you can climb the spire (for a small fee). Look out for the Wizard, a famous eccentric who takes up a soapbox most fine afternoons somewhere in the square. An enduring, if more temporal, Christchurch landmark, he's been coming here for over 25 years.
Nga Hau e Wha:
Visiting a marae (a traditional complex of Maori buildings) is one of the best ways to gain an understanding of Maori culture. Experienced guides, employed from local tribal groups, explain the culture, customs, history and traditions represented by the marae, which features two of New Zealand's most spectacularly carved whare (meeting houses).
Sign of the Takahe:
For scenic views and a sense of history, the s-shaped Summit Rd offers a great ride, walk or drive. To the south of the city, it follows the ridge of what were oncevolcanic craters. Liberal thinker Harry Ell fought against the closure of various walking tracks scattered across this area as early as 1900, believing the preservation and appreciation of natural heritage was intrinsic to local identity. He envisaged a network of scenic reserves along the Port Hills, connected by a specially built road, with walker's rest houses at regular gaps.
The last rest house to be completed (in 1949, after Ell's death), and by far the grandest, is the Sign of the Takahe. This Gothic-style building, sited at what was once the last tram stop from the city, now houses tearooms, a restaurant and a function centre. The simpler sandstone shelters - the Sign of the Bellbird, Sign of the Kiwi, and Sign of the Packhorse - were built from 1914 to 1917 and designed to blend with the natural landscape. The walk is accessible by bus from Victoria Square, near the Town Hall.
Akaroa:
Sited on a scenic harbour, this oh-so-pretty town is 82km (50mi) from Christchurch, on the Banks Peninsula. As the site of the first French settlement in New Zealand it offers a glimpse (albeit slight) into what might have been. Akaroa was claimed by the British just days before a ship of French colonists arrived in 1840. They stayed regardless, and left their Gallic mark via street and house names and historic wooden villas. The good restaurants came later, but help with the Francophile image. There are some beautiful swimming beaches nearby at Le Bons Bay and Okains Bay. Several coach lines make the 1.5 hour trip.
International Antarctic Centre:
Home to the interactive audio-visual exhibits and the Hägglund Ride. This 45 minute adventure ride aboard snowmobiles will thrill adults and children as you go behind the scenes. This is a great experience for young and old. Complex is located (sans ice) near the airport. Visitors can experience Antarctic-type stuff such as being very cold (the 'Snow and Ice Experience', lets you explore a sub-zero snow cave and slide down a tunnel swept by freezing winds) and rides on a Hägglund Snowmobile.Christchurch has been the base for the USA's Antarctic programs since the 1950s, and this is also where the New Zealand and Italian operations are administered. It's all very well presented and hands-on, with the added bonus that most of the staff have lived and worked on the great southern continent.
Lyttelton:
Although only 12km (7.5mi) from Christchurch itself, the town of Lyttelton has a distinct personality and a harbour setting framed by the pretty Port Hills. Fans of Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson may recognise Lyttelton as the setting for his earlier film The Frighteners. As it's still a working port, expect noisy docks and lively bars as well as historic buildings. If you're looking for something more salubrious than seedy waterfront pubs, there are some good drinking and dining options nestled in the streets that fan up across the hills. The Timeball Station is a rare piece of maritime history for which the town is famous - it's fabulously restored and boasts a spectacular view. There are regular buses from Cathedral Square, but as they go via a tunnel, you'll have to drive to appreciate the views.
Mt Hutt:
Mt Hutt, which offers one of the longest ski seasons in the southern hemisphere, is just over an hour's drive from Christchurch. There are slopes to suit all levels of ski experience, with open faces also ideal for snowboarding. Although off-piste facilities are limited, the stunning setting more than makes up for it, with a patchwork of Canterbury farmland stretching away to the sea below. Most skiers opt to base themselves at the resort town of Methven, which lacks any particular alpine charm but is well serviced for accommodation, pubs and places to eat. The Mt Hutt Forest and Rakaia Gorge, good for walking and fishing respectively, are close by.
Botanic Gardens:
Natural beauty of flowering borders and towering trees. Circled almost entirely by the Avon River, these gardens are home to the most impressive collection of plants in New Zealand.
Meo-Gothic Anglican Cathedral:
Capture the view of Christchurch from here. Climb the 133 steps to the top for a panoramic view.
The tramway:
Cable cars will take you on a mile and a half long ride through the inner city.
Arts Center:
This was originally the Canterbury University and now house more than 40 shops, and galleries. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants. Here you can also enjoy live music and refreshments.
Activities:
There's a whole range of adventure activities to be had in Christchurch, or just on its fringe. Ballooning, fishing, horse trekking, jet boating, tandem skydiving, biplane flights and golf are all possible; ask at the visitor centre. There's very good rafting on the Rangitata River in Peel Forest and you can ski within a one- to two-hour drive of Christchurch during the winter months.For summer swimming or wind-swept winter walks, the closest beaches to the city are Waimairi, North, New Brighton and South Brighton, east and northeast of the city and all accessible by bus. Sumner to the southeast is a favourite and also a great place to combine paddling, people-watching and a bite to eat. Taylors Mistake, beyond Sumner, is a popular spot for surfing.Wine tours of the Waipara Valley and the surrounding Pegasus Bay area are a less-active option, or there's Kaikoura to the north, famous as a wildlife enthusiast's Mecca. Not only is there whale-watching, there's dolphin and seal swimming and even shark diving.
Beaches:
For surfing, the best beach in Christchurch is Tailor's Mistake. Be sure to exercise caution, because the waves are menacing. The homes on the shore, called baches, are cute little domiciles that demand a look. From the top of the cliffs the view is exquisite, and the trail from Tailor's Mistake to Boulder Bay is a great walk. Perhaps the all- around most popular beach in Christchurch is Sumner, which can be found by taking the number 5 and number 31 buses to Gloucester Street. Sumner is an excellent spot for swimming, playing volleyball, or just hanging out. The beach atmosphere is relaxing, and the water conditions are splendid. Cafes and bars line the street, and there is plenty to do around Sumner other than lay on the shore. The recent building of the New Brighton Pier has made New Brighton Beach a local favorite
Shopping:
Head to Riccarton Mall, (03/348-4119) a mammoth 85 store establishment that features fine apparel shops, restaurants, and more. The Arts Center, found at Worcester Boulevard (03/366-0986) features handmade leather, wood, and woolen goods at affordable prices.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Christchurch:
Christchurch Travel Information
www.christchurchnz.net
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