
Lighting Up © Jocelyn Kinghorn
Christchurch is the most English of New Zealand's cities, named
after an Oxford college. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an
English university town, with school boys in striped blazers and
punting on the River Avon, a grand Anglican cathedral dominating
the central square, little stone-walled bridges, elegant Victorian
architecture and numerous parks and exquisite gardens.
Dubbed the 'Garden City', it is the lively capital of the
Canterbury region, priding itself on its green areas, arts, and
history as well as its sports. The surrounds offer beach suburbs,
protected bays and dolphin swimming, green valleys and snow-capped
mountain ranges for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing.
The city itself has a relaxed and cosmopolitan centre with historic
trams rattling along the streets of the bustling downtown area, a
lively pub and restaurant scene, theatres, street buskers, museums,
and art galleries.
Christchurch was devastated by a major earthquake in February
2011, and some of the damage is still evident, but the city has
rapidly risen from the rubble and now frequently graces lists of
the top cities to visit in the world. The nightlife and restaurant
scene has bounced back impressively, with close to 1,000 cafes,
bars and restaurants currently operating in the city. Some tourist
attractions and hospitality businesses have not reopened after the
earthquake, but others have sprung up to replace them.
Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and offers the
visitor an appealing mixture of historic charm and vibrant city
life, a pleasing balance between urban pursuits and outdoor
activities. With the least rainfall of any of New Zealand's cities
and plenty of sunshine it is a perfect base for a diverse range of
activities, including a Canterbury skiing experience.