Christchurch
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2003
1
11
29
Trip End
Ongoing
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Christchurch,
New Zealand
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
New Zealand's oldest and second largest city has a lot to offer the visitor.
Accommodation at all levels, a casino to try the luck, the finest in cafes, restaurants, and
plenty of retail therapy. Walk along the Avon River or perhaps a boat ride. Take the tram
to orient onesself to the city and what it has to offer.
It is the place to find top quality ballooning, a vertical thrill ride called Slingshot at 15
The New Brighton Mall or maybe for those less interested in adrenaline rushes the
Christchurch museums are spectacular
Windsurfing in Christchurch
. Make sure to visit the Arts Centre of Christchurchfor sure and the Botanic Gardens.
Maybe a Canterbury Brewery Museum Tour. Booking essential. Located at 36 St Asaph
Street. Email Victoria Carling at: victoria.carling@lion-nathan.co.nz.
Christchurch is the staging area for the Antarctic. One can experience the area by visiting
one of the premier New Zealand attractions the International Antarctic Centre located by
the Airport. The number one Antarctic attraction in the world. Only a few minutes from
the Christchurch airport.
Lots and lots to do if cruising a city is the visitors thing. There are over 748 parks in the
Garden City. One can park a camper van downtown at the city car park on Tuam Street
for the day. From there the rest is all walking distance. If hot or spicy condiments are
your thing the best shop in the South Island is a block away as you go into town on
Manchester Street, AJI Spice Shop. Check it out!
Grab a ride on the Tramway for an inner city tour. From here the visitor can determine
where all the places are one wishes to visit. In reality the inner city is small and easy to
negotiate. Start off in Cathedral Square in the heart of it all. Over 50 stalls to visit in the
Square along with the Cathedral.
The Canterbury Museum covering New Zealand history is a great visit. The Arts Centre
has over 40 studios, galleries and workshops plus in the summer months there are over 80
stalls over the weekend. The new $47.5 million Christchurch Art Gallery is a real
showcase not to miss.
A few restaurants that stand out are the Dux de Lux on Hereford & Montreal. They have
an on site brewery producing seven multi-award beers in addition to top quality seafood
and vegetarian cuisine. The Coyote at 126 Oxford Terrace dishes out top Kiwi cuisine
with a Sante Fe twist. Winnie Bagos has the vote for the best gourmet pizza.
Out of town a bit is the Willow Bank at 60 Hussey Road where one can enjoy an evening
buffet featuring a traditional Maori hangi.
If one is traveling around the Christchurch suburbs it is recommended a trip out Route 74
(off Route One east) toFerrymead and on to Sumner as a very interesting area. A large
body of water, the estuary of the Avon River, lies north of the road.
Have a stop to say hi to Brian at the EastCoast Wine Bar/Café tucked in along
the estuary. Supreme coffee served. Also a sailboard school is a part of the same
complex. Either join in or watch their progress over a cuppa.
For the traveler we recommend the best place in the area to stay overnight is the North
South Holiday Park, 530 Sawyers Arms Road at the circle of Route Only minutes from
the airport. Top facility that makes it easy to stay in the area and get everywhere easily.
They provide lots of different accommodation for all travelers.
After leaving the Christchurch area the next travel is to the east to Banks Penisula and the
town of Akaroa.
