Christchurch Holiday Guide

Welcome to a lively city in evolution, managing artistically with the aftershock of NZs second-worst natural disaster. Christchurch is identified as the Garden City and is currently boasting into road cones and repurposed shipping containers. Friendly locals, plentiful notable arts institutions, the spectacular Botanic Gardens and inner-city streets art projects are the attributes of this place.

Understand the geography of Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located at the edge of the Canterbury plains. The River Avon rambles through the central city and interrupts the consistent rectangular arrangement of the city streets. Several prevalent destinations such as Kaikoura, Akaroa, Mt Hutt and South Canterbury are less than two hours drive from Christchurch. Its tourist attractions embrace Botanical Gardens, Lyttelton, Sumner, Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula

What to do in Christchurch

• Swim with dolphins
• White-water rafting with Rangitata Rafts
• Go for Hot Air Ballooning with the mountain ranges on one flank and the Pacific Ocean on the other with the Canterbury Plains in-between
• 4 wheel driving in Akaroa with Pohatu Penguins
• Paragliding & Paramotoring
• Visit port hills for walking, mountain biking and other outdoor recreation
• Kaikoura Whale and Dolphin Overnight Tour

 

What to see in Christchurch

• International Antarctica center
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
• Hagley Park
• Orana Wildlife Park
• Arts center
• Cathedral square

Relish the festivals and events of Christchurch

Festival time in Christchurch is a season of feasting and celebrations and has the eventful program of annual festivals of any New Zealand city. Summer season is the busiest of all months, embraced with events and festivals. The Festival of Romance is held in February every year and last for ten days celebrating Valentines Day. Just visit Hagley Park Botanic gardens, where beautiful flowers bloom in this season. The International Buskers Festival in mid-January is the largest street show on earth. In winters, the Christchurch Arts Festival takes place, which is the biggest arts festival on South Island.

 

Food and wine of Christchurch

Tourists to the Garden City are spoiled for the high-quality food when it comes to choosing where and what to eat. The city's amusing ethnic make-up is well-represented in its diverse eateries which encompass casual neighbourhood eateries, family restaurants, fine dining establishments, cafes and pubs. Christchurch has more dining area per head than any other city in NZ. They serve delicious Canterbury lamb, venison and seafood along with wine, fresh produce, fruits, fish like salmon and trout

 

Shopping in Christchurch

Christchurch offers the finest collection of tourist shops trading a diverse variety of kiwi knick-knacks and souvenirs. Spree for anything and everything in the malls that dot the city of Christchurch. The chief shopping zones are Colombo, Hereford, Armagh, Gloucester and Cashel. If you are searching for some cheap antiques, then bargain at Merivale or Victoria Street.

 

Night life of Christchurch

Christchurch's vivacious night life can be found in the range locals denoted as 'the strip' along Oxford Terrace. The Town Hall is the location for worthy live performances while the James Hay Theatre has a stimulating repertory of shows. At nightclubs, pubs and bars nearby, Bridge of Remembrance, you can have great music and dance the night away. The other locations you can hit are Lichfield St, the Polynesian techno and hip hop.

Transportation and cost

There are two chief forms of public transportation that can be used for getting around the Christchurch area are taxis and busses. Taxis are readily accessible throughout the city and the Christchurch Shuttle is a free, environmentally friendly bus service that makes rounds around the central city area.  Christchurch is mostly uniform, so folks get everywhere on bicycles and therefore bicycle lanes have been added to many streets to encourage cycling. The reinstated Christchurch Tramway travels in a smaller loop around the inner city

 

Best time to visit

Christchurch has distinct seasons, which can be visited anytime of the year. You can select the fruitage of autumn, the white snow of winter, the blooming of spring or the beaches of summer. Winters offer a wide array of activities from whale watching to alpine spa villages and soaking in natural thermal pools. The autumn is drenched with colourful changing leaves in the line of streets while spring weather carries blossoms, festivals and new beginnings. Then the peak season is from December to march when an array of festivals happen but this time requires pre-booking.

Christchurch is a sun-drenched city with a warm moderately dry climate. The city's signature nor'wester wind blows all year, and inclines to be more predominant during the summer months. Temperatures are often watered-down by chilling sea breezes. From June to August, Christchurch is a true winter wonderland and chilly frosts are common while from December to February, sunbeams are high, Sometimes daylight last until up to 9:30pm. Autumn lasts from March to May and is pleasant with average daytime temperature while spring in Christchurch is as lovely as anywhere in the world and ranges from September to November.