Christchurch offers Beauty, Adventure
Christchurch, New Zealand provides new experiences around every corner.
The oldest established city in New Zealand, Christchurch is a treat for all the senses. From its beautiful gardens to the adventure activities it offers its guests, a trip to Christchurch can be different things to different people.
More cosmopolitan than many New Zealand cities, Christchurch is urban yet still quaint and cozy, covered with parks and trees and pretty buildings. But you'll still find parts of rugged New Zealand here as well, making it the ideal destination for families with varying tastes.
Beautiful Christchurch
In 1996, Christchurch, New Zealand was chosen as the Outstanding Garden City from 620 entries of cities throughout the world. Since that time, it's also received a number of national awards that have touted its amazing gardens and parks.
The 74-acre Botanic Gardens in the downtown area is a good place to begin your Christchurch sightseeing. Here you'll find conservatories that are home to everything from cacti to fern to Alpine plants.
The outdoor gardens are exquisite as well and offer views of azaleas, roses, heather, daffodils and much more, depending on the season. Bird life is quite diverse also, making this an ideal place for birdwatching.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is the largest daytime viewing area for the native Kiwi bird, and offers a complete selection of native wildlife in their natural habitat for your viewing pleasure.
Cultural Christchurch
Visitors to this lovely city won't be short on arts and culture-related activities while in town. Make your first stop the Canterbury Museum, where you'll find excellent displays of geology and zoology as well as Maori, Asian and European collections. The hands-on Discovery Centre is popular with children.
The Centre of Contemporary Art has five galleries full of items from its fine permanent collection and also attracts a number of traveling exhibitions each year. Similarly, the Christchurch Art Gallery is the city's public art museum and boasts lots of pieces by local artists.
Ferrymead Heritage Park allows guests to experience the New Zealand of old while the Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science educates visitors as to the history of transportation, from horse and buggy to classic autos and modern racing cars.
Adventurous Christchurch
Christchurch, like much of New Zealand, is also a grand destination for adventure travelers. If you enjoy more than just a stroll through the park or a fine museum, you're in for a treat.
Bungee jumping is quite popular here, or you can also check out the "Slingshot," a sort of vertical bungee rocket that's unique to Christchurch and truly for the brave of heart and strong of stomach.
Travel to Akaroa Harbor where you can swim with New Zealand Dolphins, the smallest in the world. If you choose a wildlife cruise instead, you can also enjoy the dolphins as well as a look at the world's smallest penguin, the White Flippered Little Blue.
As Christchurch, New Zealand is the aerial gateway to the Antarctic, the city has built the International Antarctic Centre, a fun indoor "chilly" adventure for the whole family. Home to the "Snow and Ice Experience," where you can slide down an icy slope or brave an Antarctic storm, the activities here are like none other. Dress warm!!
Visiting Christchurch
The city has its own international airport which is serviced by Qantas, Air Nelson, and Origin Pacific. However, many travelers will find that they may have to link here from another major New Zealand city via Air New Zealand.