Banks Peninsula near Christchurch Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bucht_in_Neuseeland.jpg Author: Test-tools
Christchurch is the biggest city on the South Island of New Zealand, and the second biggest in the country. It is on the east coast of the island, sitting on the north coast of Banks Peninsula.
Town Bridge, Christchurch Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Town_Bridge,_Christchurch_-_geograph.org.uk_-_238619.jpg Author: Kevin Young
Christchurch was founded in 1848, and the name was inspired by Christ Church in Oxford, England. The Maori name for the city is Otautahi. Christchurch covers an area of 1,426 sq km (550.6 sq miles), with the urban area covering 452 sq km (174.5 sq miles). It has a population of around 375,000.
Christchurch experiences a temperate climate. The warmest months are January and February, when the average high reaches 22.2°C (72°F). The coldest months are June and July, with an average low of 2.1 °C (36°F). Highest precipitations are in the winter months, with July receiving the most precipitation at 79 mm (3.11 inches).
Hagley Park, Christchurch Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HagleyPark01_gobeirne.jpg Author: Grey O'Beirne
Going to Christchurch
Christchurch International Airport receives direct flights from Australia, Japan and Singapore, among others.
Arriving at the airport, you can take a public bus to Christchurch. There are three bus routes to the city: Bus Nos. 3, 10 and 29. The bus station is at the end of the Arrivals Hall.
You can also ride the Shuttles to various hotels in Christchurch. It takes 20-30 minutes, and costs between NZ$15-NZ$20 per person.
Taxis take just 20 minutes to reach downtown Christchurch. The cost varies from NZ$30-NZ$50.
Getting around in Christchurch
Christchurch is a great place to cycle. There are purpose-built bicycle lanes in the city. The public bus fare is NZ$2.80 one a single-journey ticket. However, if you get a Metrocard, which is free, it only costs NZ$2.10 per adult. You can use the card for the whole day and it only costs NZ$4.20 regardless the number of journeys you make.
You can also rent a car to drive around and explore the surrounding country. Within downtown, the parking rate is NZ$2.60 per hour - display the ticket on your dashboard facing the curb.
Provincial Council Building, Christchurch Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CanterburyProvincialCouncilBuildings2_gobeirne.jpg Author: Greg O'Beirne
Places of Interest in Christchurch
Antigua Boat Shed: Place to hire recreational boats, canoes and paddle boats on the Avon River.
Arts Centre: The arts and crafts hub of Christchurch, with art galleries, studios, shops and a theatre.
Avon River: Lovely river that meanders through Christchurch.
Botanic Gardens: Gardens founded in 1863 with conservatories and manicured landscape.
Bridge of Rememberance: Bridge at the head of City Mall commemorating soldiers from New Zealand who served in the various wars.
Canterbury Museum: Museum housed in a 19th century structure said to be the most successful adaptation of the Gothic style for secular purposes.
Cathedral Square: Public square in the heart of Christchurch, dominated by Christchurch Cathedral
Christ's College: Elite school in Christchurch.
Christchurch Art Gallery: Principal art gallery of Christchurch, with a collection of 5,000 pieces from within New Zealand and foreign.
Christchurch Gondola: Ride from Heathcote Valley to the rim of an extinct volcano.
City Mall: Pedestrian zone between High and Cashel Streets with shopping arcades and department stores and boutiques.
Hagley Park: Green space in the heart of Christchurch.
International Antarctic Centre: Base for the scientific programmes conducted in the Antarctic, the centre has exhibits on the exploration and geology of Antarctica.
Mona Vale: Historic home within a picturesque setting near the Avon River.
Provincial Council Buildings: Finest example of secular Gothic Revival architecture in New Zealand.
Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House: Small aquarium displaying a select number of fish from the wild.
Victoria Square: Green space north of Cathedral Square.
Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.
While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.
Go Back
Banks Peninsula near Christchurch
Town Bridge, Christchurch
Hagley Park, Christchurch
Provincial Council Building, Christchurch
