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 Christchurch
(Māori: Ōtautahi) (Population 372,800)
is the largest city in the
South Island of New Zealand, and the
second-largest urban area. It is one third the way down the South Island's
east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula.
Surrounded
by the Cashmere Hills, Christchurch is the gateway to the dynamic Canterbury region.
Dubbed the Garden City,
Christchurch enjoys a reputation as the most English of New Zealand's cities
thanks to its many gracious parks and buildings, and the tree-lined Avon
River.
At the centre of the city is Cathedral Square, surrounding the Anglican
cathedral, Christ Church. The area around this square and within the "four
avenues" of Christchurch (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue
and Deans Avenue is considered the central business district of the city.
The central city also has a number of residential areas, including Inner
City East, Inner City West, Avon Loop, Moa Neighbourhood & Victoria.
 Cathedral Square is a popular destination and
hosts attractions such as the speakers' corner made famous by the Wizard of
New Zealand. The central city includes the pedestrianised Cashel Street as
Christchurch's urban mall.
At one end of the mall stands the Bridge Of
Remembrance; at the other end the old location of the amphitheatre known as
the Hack Circle.
The Cultural Precinct
provides a backdrop to a vibrant scene of ever-changing arts, cultural, and
heritage attractions within an area of less than one square kilometre. The
majority of the activities are free and a printable map is provided.
Punting on the river is a favourite pastime during summer, with punts
for hire at the old Antigua boatshed and in the central city. The city has a
lively café and cultural scene and is home to the country's largest
community arts centre.
The
city's many festivals include the Summer Times Festival, which incorporates
the Festival of Romance and the International Buskers Festival, the
Christchurch Winter Festival in August and Showtime Canterbury in November.
Christchurch has extensive
beaches within a short drive from the city.
 Beyond Christchurch is the the beautiful French influenced town
of Akaroa located on
Banks Peninsula. The port town of Lyttleton that can be reach either by the Lyttleton tunnel or
over the scenic port Hills.
1.5 hours drive from Christchurch is the Mt Hutt skifields and the
beautiful Southern Alps.
Christchurch is a major terminal for bus/coach and train services in
the South Islands.
Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest international airport
catering for international and domestic flights. |
