Christchurch

Where is it?

The largest city on the South Island, capital of the Canterbury region and the third largest city in the country, Christchurch is about half way up the South Island on the east coast.

What's it like?

The Maori thinly populated the Christchurch area and European settlement only began in earnest in the mid 19th century. A worthy group of Anglicans from Christ Church College, (see Christ Church, Christchurch. Clever isn't it?) Oxford had the ideal of creating the perfect English society (a Jane Austen kind of a place not a Charles Dickens one). This dream of the cliched English pastoral idyll soon faded when faced with the realities of making a new life from nothing a billion miles from home. Despite the intervening years, the city does still maintain a veneer of old world gentility. Punts make their way up and down the river in the summer, the architecture would not look out of place in any one of a number of British towns and the place names reflect on the founders' heritage. Someone once said Christchurch is as much like Cambridge as you can get without actually being in the UK. But this appearance only runs skin deep. New migrants began to arrive and have continued to do so. The city has changed and evolved and is now a cultured, lively place. If you are in New Zealand, don't miss it.

What to see and do.

There is loads to do in Christchurch from galleries and architecture to sedate boating on the river, plus the city isn't far from more traditional Kiwi pursuits of jet boating, rafting, skydiving and bungy jumps, all to be found within a mornings drive.
One of the towns' most striking features is its buildings. The city is built around Cathedral Square, a great place to check out the architecture. The Cathedral dominates but also worth a second look are the Old Post Office and Government Building. The Cathedral, a massive gothic structure, came into use in 1881 and the other buildings were all built within 20 years of this date. Beware of the 'Wizard', a local philosopher who has been haranguing visitors to the square on every subject under the sun for the past twenty-five years. The Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House may provide a minor diversion. Though a small operation, the marine exhibits of local undersea life are well presented enough. The Kiwi is a shy retiring bird that doesn't like the light or loud noises so the Kiwi House may disappoint. Easy to see why this was chosen as their national bird.
The Canterbury Museum has a large collection of artefacts including significant Maori pieces. If you fancy something arty the recently opened Christchurch Art gallery should answer or the Arts Centre. The latter is housed in the old Canterbury University buildings, a collection of Gothic Revival edifices that now hold galleries, a craft market, restaurants, cafes and food stalls.
For an insight into Maori culture, visit Nga hau e Wha the largest Marae (meeting place) in the country.
Hagley Park sticks out on any map of the city; it is huge and within its boundaries is a golf course, numerous playing fields and a Sports Centre. Apart from going there to stroll or work up a sweat, many visitors are drawn by the Botanic Gardens with its amazing array of local plant life.
The International Antarctic Centre focuses on the major role New Zealand has played regarding the icy southern wastes. The exhibits are exciting and educational, an oft used phrase that happens to be true in this case.
For the best views of the city and beyond take the Gondola to the top of Mt Cavendish (almost 1000m).
In summer, the temperature soars and many head to one of the beaches just a short trip from the city centre. New Brighton is popular, or travel a little south to the beaches of Redcliffs or Sumner.
The above only scratches the surface, when you leave Christchurch you will have the feeling that you still needed few more days….

Eating, Drinking and Sleeping

For drinking, head first to the Strip and then make your way from there. Christchurch has loads of great bars and at weekends the place really comes alive. Many of the bars offer food and have live music, DJ’s, or both. A great place for a rowdy pub-crawl or a few quite ones, just take your pick.
Hostels, motels, campsites right up to upmarket hotels all are available. Christchurch is especially able to cater for the backpacker, budget end of the market and most hostels aren't too far out from the centre. As the biggest city on the Island, rates are a little higher than some of the more provincial places that may be on your itinerary but still not too steep.
The biggest and the best choice of places to eat on the South Island is here. From international fast food chains to haute cuisine, from exquisite international to excellent local, from cheap to 'Blimey that's a lot', it is all available.