The largest city on South Island, 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 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 the other cities and
plenty of sunshine it is a perfect base for a Canterbury
experience.
