One of the main gateways to New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its beautiful gardens and green spaces, which include Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens.
Acting as an arrival point for many international flights to the South Island, Christchurch should not just be thought of as an access point but a destination in its own right. Within the city, Hagley Parks offers a perfect retreat from the bustle of city life with 165 hectares of park to walk or cycle around. The neighbouring Botanic Gardens, set on the banks of the Avon River, offers the opportunity to discover over 10,000 species of native and introduced plants. Christchurch is often thought of as being the most ‘English’ of the New Zealand cities and a walk along the Avon River whilst punt trips drift past highlights the strong connection with England and Christchurch’s history.
Christchurch not only acts as a gateway to New Zealand but also to Antarctica. Near to the city’s airport, the ‘International Antarctica Centre’, which is part of a complex for the New Zealand, United States of America and Italian Antarctic survey programmes, lets you discover and learn about the history, geology and zoology of this unique continent.
Although affected by the devastating earthquakes which struck the city in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch is firmly becoming one of the most popular cities in New Zealand to visit.
Key info
- Where: South Island, New Zealand
