Christchurch

A unique blend of historic charm and exciting city life. A delicate balance of hustle and bustle with fresh tranquility. All the facilities and none of the frustrations. This will weave a spell on you and leave you enchanted. This is Christchurch...

Christchurch Itinerary Highlights

Parks and Gardens
Botanical Gardens	Within the confines of the inner city and within easy walking distance of Cathedral Square - a beautifully maintained, 30 hectare (74 acres) garden area with undoubtedly the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants in New Zealand, bounded by the 161 hectare (500 acres) Hagley Park
Mona Vale	A short 5 minute drive from centre city, the Mona Vale Homestead gardens feature significant plantings of English and European trees, rhododendrons, camellias, conifers and maples
Riccarton House / Riccarton Bush	5 minutes from Cathedral Square. The original homestead of Christchurch's first settler family, Putaringomotu is a 7.7 hectare (19 acres) native forest - the last in a line of similar forests which covered the site of modern-day Christchurch over hundreds of thousands of years
Private Gardens	Throughout the year, but more especially in spring (Sep, Oct, Nov) a number of breathtakingly beautiful private Canterbury gardens are open to the public, and well worth a visit
City Attractions
International Antarctic Centre	The only attraction of its kind in the world. Experience an Antarctic storm first hand, with temperatures dropping well below the zero... a great place to chill out.
Orana Park	A touch of Africa - and everywhere else where wild animals roam
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve	An eclectic mix of native New Zealand flora and fauna, with a Maori cultural perspective - don't miss "Ko Tane"
Southern Encounter Aquarium	See NZ's native "Kiwi" - in the centre of the city
Christchurch Tramway	Travel the city in the style and elegance of the last century
Canterbury Museum	Artifacts, treasures and relics of a time gone by
Christchurch Art Gallery	It's new, it's startling, it's big - and it plays host to some of the best artistic endeavour in Canterbury, New Zealand, and the world
Arts Centre Market	Arts, crafts and entertainment of all kinds - every weekend
Christchurch Cathedral	An iconic focus for the centre of Christchurch city
Punting	In "perfect ways to spend a relaxing afternoon" this ranks No. 1
Air Force World	Flying - as it was - as it is - and how you would like it to be
Hot Air Ballooning	Aoraki Balloon Safaris and Up Up and Away will take you to an entirely different world
Nightlife/Entertainment
	Bars
	Restaurants
	Cafes
	Theatre (The Court Theatre)
	Movies - Christchurch has the highest ratio of cinema seats per capita in New Zealand. All the latest releases, plus a superb selection of Art Cinema offerings (Arts Centre)
	Christchurch Casino - New Zealand's first casino - and most say New Zealand's best!
	Nightclubs - from the thumping, pumping and dancing til dawn to the elegant, sophisticated and urbane, Christchurch is living, pulsating proof that everyone can have a nightlife.