Christchurch - England of the South

Christchurch feels like a home from home for the numerous Brits who now live there along with the countless visitors that the city welcomes all year round. Here they will find familiar street names such as Regent Street with its Victoria facades, Gloucester Street, Worcester Street, Hereford Street, and Manchester Street. Victoria Square (complete with its own statue of Queen Victoria), Christ's College, Christchurch Cathedral, the meandering River Avon, Brighton beach, the prolific oaks, ashes, beech and elm trees with their amazing autumnal foliage - all have their origins in the UK.

 

Christchurch was established in 1851 as a settlement by English emigrants from the UK-based Canterbury company. It was incorporated as a city in 1862, and was named by one of the early settlers who was educated at Christ Church College, Oxford. Christchurch is also the long time ancestral home of the Ngai Tahu Maori tribe who had been living in the region for over 500 years.

 

For many years Christchurch had a rather conservative reputation, then in 1989 along came the first female Mayor, Vicki Buck, and during her term she helped to change the face of the city. Rather like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, it shed its rather urbane image, and emerged with new vibrancy and energy – and the people in the city never looked back. A city of contrasts, it is now famous for its numerous festivals and cosmopolitan lifestyle. At the city's heart is the Cultural Precinct. Here the distinctive neo-Gothic buildings that originally formed the site of the University of Canterbury have been transformed into The Arts Centre of Christchurch. This is alive with speciality shops and restaurants, art galleries, markets, theatres, exhibitions, lunchtime concerts, open-air entertainment - and even a ghost tour!

 

Michelle Williams, Christchurch resident for most of her life is proud of her hometown, saying: “Christchurch City Council is famous for laying on free concerts and entertainment. Around Valentines Day there is always a Festival of Romance, and about the same time there's the Festival of Flowers. I can remember walking around Victoria Square a few years ago and being stopped in by tracks by the themed gardens - they were really beautiful. There are even floral displays on poles in the middle of the Avon River. From November to March other free events include a Guy Fawkes display off New Brighton Pier; 'Sparks in the Park' with its dramatic firework displays themed to classical music and Starry Nights where well known Zealand singers play to packed audiences. Most of the events take place in Hagley Park and thousands of people bring their picnics - everyone just rocks on up and has fun! People from all age groups come along. I think it is something that Christchurch does really well.”

 

She continues: "One of the other things I really enjoy is the World Buskers Festival, which takes place every January. Busking takes place all around the City Mall and Arts Centre during the day - and the evening performances are a bit more risqué.   It's really fun - and best of all it's free!"   

 

One of Michelle's favourite memories of Christchurch was when she visited the annual Oktoberfest at Diamond Harbour, which is a short ferry ride from Lyttleton, Christchurch's main port. She says: "There was a marquee on the lawn and a traditional German band. There were copious amounts of New Zealand brewed beer, including Speights, Montieths, Macs and Canterbury Draught. My memory gets a bit fuzzy about the end of the day, but I do remember we had a brilliant time!"

 

 

It is easy to understand why this beautiful place is winner of an international 'Garden City of the World' award. Driving down the tree-lined Memorial Avenue from the airport to the city centre is like being in the middle of a garden showcase. The 500 acre Hagley Park with its stunning botanic gardens containing over 10,000 exotic and indigenous plants is adjacent to the city centre, making it easily accessible.

 

One of the best ways of seeing the sights is to travel by the ‘hop on, hop off’ tram, which does a circuit of the city from the centrally located Cathedral Square. There are museums and art galleries galore - and Christchurch even has its own casino. Or why not have a lazy day punting on the River Avon or visit the renowned botanic gardens or the numerous parks and public gardens? For great views over the city take a 4½ minute trip to Mt Cavendish on the Christchurch Gondola - and if you're feeling energetic mountain-bike down again!

 

If you are interested in Maori culture and wildlife, head out to Willowbank - home of New Zealand's first natural wildlife, conservation and indigenous Maori cultural experience. Here you will be able to see one of the best displays of New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, in a recreated natural environment. 

 

A ‘must see’ attraction is the Antarctic Centre (you can get there on 'The Penguin Express direct from Cathedral Square - with eight fibreglass penguins on its roof, it's not easy to miss!) Established to support Antarctic scientific programmes, its architecture was inspired by the icebergs, ice shelves and glaciers of Antarctica. There are numerous attractions within the centre! The centre is very close to the airport - so it's a great place to go to once you have checked out of your hotel.

 

If you fancy an excursion out of Christchurch, you will find plenty to tempt you. Francophiles will love Akaroa, ('long harbour in Maori), which is 80 minutes drive away. The French established a colony here in the 19th century and it is also home to 'the hector' - the world's smallest and most rare dolphin. Trips can be taken with Black Cat cruises all year round.

 

For thrill-seekers, Rangaitata rafting is one of the South Island's premier white-water rafting trips. Only a short distance from Christchurch, this trip takes in the amazing scenery of the Southern Alps right down to the Canterbury Plains. Hot air ballooning, meanwhile, is another memorable experience. Robert Abrahams says: "It was one of the highlights of our visit to Christchurch and was quite surreal. We took off at dawn and saw the sun rise over Canterbury Plains. It looked like a patchwork quilt with the grains, the grasses, the pasture and stock feeds all stitched together. At the end of the morning we finished up with a champagne breakfast in a cow paddock watching out for 'cow frisbees - it was amazing'!

 

There are numerous other excursions from Christchurch, including whale watching at Kaikoura and hot springs and mountain biking at Hamner - or you could even take the world famous Trans Alpine train across the Southern Alps to the West coast of the South Island, travelling there and back in a day.

 

The Canterbury region surrounding Christchurch has a world class reputation as a wine growing region and Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot are all grown extensively, so it's worth getting some supplies in!   Any and all of these activities can be booked through independent New Zealand travel specialists Kirra Holidays - visit www.kirratours.com.

 

If you are keen on sport then Christchurch is the place to be. The Crusaders Rugby Team have won numerous Super 14 Champion competitions - and rugby is very much part of everyday life in Christchurch from little kids to golden oldies - whether they are watching, or participating. 

 

The Speight’s Coast to Coast multi-sports race meanwhile, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary on 9^th and 10^th February, 2007, attracts visitors in their thousands. Starting at Kumara Beach on the West Coast, participants cycle 140 km, run 36 km over the Southern Alps and kayak 67 km along the Waimakariri River finishing up at Sumner Beach. Top competitors take 10¾ hours – and the slowest time ever recorded was 24½ hours. 

 

Golf fans will love it here - from the centre of Christchurch it's possible to get to a dozen golf courses within a 30-minute drive. One of the most well known is Clearwater Resort, home of the New Zealand PGA championships. 

 

Christchurch really is a great place to base yourself with so much to do in and around the area, from active to inactive weekend breaks. Tramping (hiking to Brits!) is pretty much the number one pastime. There are numerous alpine, coastal and peninsular walks - in fact you could probably do a different walk for every day of the year.

 

One thing is for sure - you will never get bored in Christchurch! Whatever your interests there is enough to keep all people of all ages engaged and entertained - and with new events and activities constantly being launched you may just find that you need to keep returning to this cosmopolitan city of contrasts!

 

For further information go to the regional tourist board website www.christchurchnz.com or talk to your local Kirra Holidays office.