Christchurch Article

Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand

Christchurch is a lovely old English style city set out with parklands and gardens know as 'The Garden City'

Christchurch is a great place to visit during the spring and summer months with the bright colours and warm weather. Most accommodation is near the middle of town and one of the best places to stay would be around the Arts Centre, Art Gallery and Hagley park botanical gardens.

Hagley Park is a large park in the middle of the city like Hyde Park in London or Central Park in New York. Hagley Park even has a 12 hole golf course and is home to the Hagley Golf Club. Bowls and Croquet are also played in the park.

The central city revolves around the Christchurch Cathedral in 'the square' which does not have the grandeur of Cathedrals in the UK but is a great asset to the city. There are many aspects of 19th century England in the old buildings and the feel of the city will make you feel a little bit homesick if you are from England.

The central city also has some great pubs, clubs and restaurants with many situated on 'the strip' on the Avon River in Oxford Terrace. If you want some great New Zealand lamb try the rack of lamb a Pedros on Worcester St. Christchurch also has many great Thai restaurants for some great healthy cuisine. The late nightlife is only really alive on Friday or Saturday nights so don't expect to much going to any night clubs during the week.

A good way to get a feel of Christchurch is to take a ride on the tram around the central city then get off and go for a walk. Walking is a great way of seeing the city with Christchurch being flat and only a few of sites outside the central city that are worth a trip. Those being the Antarctic centre, Willowbank (to see some real Kiwis), Orana Park and the Christchurch Gondola. These are all easily accessible by bus.

Day trips are also available to Akaria and Hanmer and Kaikoura to see the whales. There are many wineries springing up all over the Canterbury region and a visit to a few is a must if you like a drop. My favourite is the Pegasus Bay winery on the way to Hamner about 30 minutes North of Christchurch.

If golf is your chosen sport Christchurch has about 20 courses within a 20km radius of the centre of the city. Three of the best golf courses around are the Christchurch Golf Club est1873 (second oldest club in New Zealand behind the Otago Golf Club est1871) at Shirley, Terrace Downs a newer course towards the Ski field of Mount Hutt and Clearwater another new resort style course and home of the NZPGA championships and a USPGA Nationwide tour event.

During the winter Skiing becomes a great reason to visit Christchurch with Mount Hutt near Methven around 1  hours from Christchurch city central and is usually the first major ski field in New Zealand to open for the new season and close. There are many other smaller less corporate ski fields within 2 hours drive of the city

If you are around and you have never seen a game of rugby, catch a game between the Crusaders and any other of the Super 14 opponents at Jade Stadium. This will drop you right in the middle of New Zealand sporting life.

Christchurch is a relaxed laid back city with old English charm with the best months to visit the city being November to the end of March.