Christchurch, New Zealand
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983
Christchurch, New Zealand
Located on the east coast of , is one of New Zealand’s major cities, being the largest on the with a population of roughly 390,000, and the second most populous in the country after . is situated in New Zealand’s , lying at the base of Pegasus Bay, with the running through its centre. It is well known for its cool oceanic climate, verdant landscaping, as well as its position as the commercial, and cultural hub for . ‘s position at the base of the nearby also means it has some of the cleanest municipal water in the world, not to mention the stunning mountain backdrop that characterises much of the . Traditionally the has been known for its agricultural exports, though over the 20th century it has expanded as an industrial centre, due to its efficient transport infrastructure and abundant hydroelectric power. Travellers to will find it is an excellent point from which many a of the commences, providing excellent amenities, and a beautiful landscape.
History
Originally a Maori settlement from the time of around 1250 AD onwards, the region was used predominantly by the Maori people for hunting the now extinct Moa, a megafauna variety of flightless bird which could grow to a size of 3.6m, and weigh in at roughly 230kg. The first European entry into the region came around the year 1840, with colonists chartered by the Canterbury association subsequently arriving on 5 ships between the years 1850-1851. The settlers opted to plan the around a Cathedral and college, and decided to model it after Christ Church college in Oxford, England, from which the gets its name. is planned in a distinctive style, following the layout of a central square, with four surrounding squares, and a parkland area surrounding them, other cities with a similar style include, Philadelphia, Savannah, and Adelaide. In more recent years, a series of earthquakes devastated the between 2010-2012, destroying roughly 1500 buildings, and even damaging the ‘s historic cathedral, thankfully the has mostly recovered since, though scars of the ordeal still remain.
Travelling to
features a number of attractions, both natural and manmade, and with its central position, is an ideal location from which to begin a of the greater . For those on a , the itself is characterised by its distinctive design, with its abundance of parks, gardens, and recreational areas earning it the nickname of the ‘‘. With this in mind, a good place to begin is the . The cover an area of roughly 21 hectares, with individual sections devoted to different varieties of flora, it is also an excellent location for those interested in bird watching. Aside from the gardens, the also features a planetarium, and a number of museums, including the Canterbury Museum, and the Art Gallery, which features a bold modern design, and houses exhibitions from across New Zealand as well as internationally. For those interested in a scenic experience of , punting along the is a great way to see the ‘s verdant spaces, while for an entirely new angle you can take the over the , which features of the from above, as well as the surrounding rivers and mountains.
Further afield you may want to venture out to , which is perfect for those interested interested in water sports, offering rafting, canoeing, jet boating, and even bungie jumping. For a more relaxed pace, a out to Arthur’s Pass is a great way to explore the stunning landscape of the , not only that, but you can also see some of New Zealand’s unique wildlife, such as the Kea, the world’s only alpine parrot. Another for nature lovers is , here you can spot New Zealand’s endemic white-flippered penguins, and if you’re lucky, you could even spot some of the local Hector’s dolphins, one of the smallest dolphins in the world.
The
is indisputably one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet, renown for its national parks, mountains, rolling grasslands, and crystal clear lakes, being famously featured in films such as the Lord of the Rings. ‘s position as the hub of the makes it an ideal location from which to delve deeper into the south islands numerous other attractions. Amongst these, some of the most notable are:
– : Nestled in the heart of the mountains, it is ideal for skiing and sightseeing, with the crystal clear by the centre, at certain times of the year you may even see the Aurora Australis here.
– : A located within Fiordland , it features the incredibly deep , and the otherworldly and ancient glow worm caves.
– : A great fiord that is one of the world’s natural wonders, is situated on the of New Zealand within Fiordland , and is ideal for both a or .
– : Known as Aoraki in the maori tongue, is New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Famed for its beauty, and located far away from the lights, is perfect for stargazing or hiking.
– : The south islands second largest , features beautiful Edwardian, and Gothic architecture, being rich in both its natural and built heritage.
– : Located in the centre of the , is famous for its stargazing and lush fields of vibrant purple lupin.
