Christchurch Sightseeing

SIGHTSEEING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch is the portal city to New Zealand’s South Island. Famous for its natural beauty, Christchurch is also known as “The Garden City”.

It is nicknamed “The Garden City” because of it’s plethora of parks and public gardens including Hagley Park, The Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale (which is positioned along the River Avon). Each natural wonder provides a variety of entertainment options from sitting and admiring the beauty to feeding the ducks, splashing in the paddling pools and exploring the educational displays. Christchurch is also host to one of New Zealand’s most popular festivals, The Floral Festival.

Festivals are a favoured pastime in Christchurch and they allow attendees to immerse themselves in cultural and entertainment diversity with festival themes covering New Zealand heritage, the arts, music, food and drink even busking.

The festivals take place year round and cater to every season. In Winter Christchurch welcomes the Festival of Lights, Spring sees the New Zealand Cup and Show Week (a festival of racing mixed with fashion), Summer presents the Summer Time festival holding free outdoor events and Autumn is dedicated to celebrating romance, food and drink.

There is so much more to Christchurch than gardens and festivals and with a population of over 350,000 it is sure to have an attraction that suits everyone.

For those who enjoy urban living Central City is the place to be! Central City is home to retail outlets, the Arts Centre and Art Gallery, designer shops, restaurants and the Cultural Precinct. The Cultural Precinct runs along the banks of the Avon River and is one square kilometre of education, art, science, government, religion, history and recreation.

The world’s first indoor snow and ice experience can be found at the International Antarctic Centre. The Antarctic Hagglund Ride allows passengers to ride on an authentic Antarctic vehicle and the indoor storm is the first of its kind.

The Circuit provides a multitude of interactive activities (the kids are guaranteed to enjoy themselves):- Supa Kart Raceway, Laserstrike, Garden City Bowls, Aimtru’s Indoor Archery, the Alpine Ice Centre and Science Alive.

Mini golf, museums, cruises, markets, punting on the river and the Christchurch Gondola (rising it’s occupants to the peak of Christchurch’s extinct volcano) are only some of The Garden City’s sights to be seen.

With so much excitement, intrigue and even world firsts on offer, visitors to Christchurch are certainly spoilt for choice!

BY KRISTIE MULLENS