Christchurch and Canterbury Attractions
Christchurch is a unique place. Having undergone devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, it is being rebuilt as a showcase city where the resilience and resourcefulness of the local population are very evident. The horror of the power of destructive natural forces is still very evident, but so too is our ability to bounce back, rebuild and face the future in strength.
Christchurch City Attractions
- Arts Centre, currently undergoing earthquake repair
- Botanic Gardens
- Art Gallery
- Canterbury Museum
- Margaret Mahy children’s play area
- Wigram Airforce Museum
- Antarctic Centre
- Punting on the Avon
- Orana and Willowbank wildlife parks
- Hagley Park, with its central city golf course
- Shopping in the earthquake "Restart" centre of container shops
- Historic trams
- Historic Riccarton House grounds
- Riccarton Bush – a remnant of the original forest
- Mona Vale gardens
- Quake City centre
- Earthquake reconstruction tours
There are also many cultural events around Christchurch including open-air concerts, buskers’ festival, and Maori cultural centres.
Wider Canterbury Attractions
The province of Canterbury itself is an interesting and dynamic area with many exciting places to visit beyond the city limits, including:
- The historic port town of Lyttelton
- Akaroa and Banks Peninsula
- Drives and walks on the Port Hills and peninsula
- Many local vineyards
- Magnificent Canterbury high country, including the famous Castle Hill area
- The majestic Southern Alps
- Tranz-Alpine train
- Kaikoura whale watching
- Hanmer Springs geothermal park
- “Lord of the Rings” sites
- Skifields
- Arthur’s Pass National Park
- Local beaches
There is no shortage of things to do and places to see, and Barbara and Murray are well able to direct you to all of these attractions and advise on best times to visit. Murray’s personalized route maps and itineraries are very popular with visitors.