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New Zealand Holidays - Christchurch - aerial scenery

Christchurch Travel Guides

Christchurch Travel Guides

Christchurch is the most English of New Zealand's cities, named after an Oxford college. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an English university town, with schoolboys in striped blazers and punting on the River Avon, a grand Anglican cathedral dominating the central square, little stone-walled bridges, elegant Victorian architecture and numerous parks and exquisite gardens.

Dubbed the 'Garden City', it is the lively capital of the Canterbury region, priding itself on its green areas, arts, and history as well as its sports. The surrounds offer beach suburbs, protected bays and dolphin swimming, green valleys and snow-capped mountain ranges for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. The city itself has a relaxed and cosmopolitan centre with historic trams rattling along the streets of the bustling downtown area, a lively pub and restaurant scene, theatres, street buskers, museums, and art galleries.

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Sightseeing in Christchurch

Christchurch is ideally situated for outdoorsy holidays, with countless beautiful scenic areas on the city's doorstep. The best adventure activities on a Christchurch holiday include kayaking, deep sea fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, quad biking, 4x4 trails, skydiving, paragliding, hot air ballooning, and much more. Mount Cook National Park, Akaroa, Lake Pukaki, and the Banks Peninsula are all popular areas to explore. Those wanting to meet the local wildlife and some exotic beasties from further afield should visit the Orana Wildlife Park or the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

There are also some worthwhile cultural attractions in and around Christchurch: the Canterbury Museum gives a good background on the history of the city and the region; the Ko Täne Living Maori Village, in Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, offers an exciting insight into the traditions of the indigenous Maori people; art fanatics will be impressed by Timaru's Aigantighe Art Gallery, and the Little River Gallery at the gateway to the Banks Peninsula; the Court Theatre entertains visitors with a fabulous schedule of shows; and because sport is integral to Christchurch culture, watching a rugby game at the famous Christchurch Stadium is a must.