Christchurch - Regional Information

Christchurch | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

This city is alive with colour, atmosphere and world-class attractions. It's a place known internationally for its spectacular gardens. Here you’ll find a fresh experience each day.

Featured Tourism Operators in Christchurch

Christchurch Overview

Christchurch city is located midway down the East Coast of the South Island, just north of Banks Peninsula.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch is the South Island's largest city. It's a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions.

The city was named after Christ Church, a college at the University of Oxford and was originally known as Christ Church. The name was abbreviated through common usage by the 1880s.

With much of the city being flat and only a few metres above sea level, spectacular views can be obtained from almost any high building. At these low elevations the city appears more like a forest with only a few buildings visible, rather than a major city.

Christchurch has a population of just under 360,000.

Known as the 'Garden City', Christchurch has many beautiful parks and gardens throughout the city.

Christchurch Highlights

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square
Photographer: Hiroshi Nameda
(hnamechan@hotmail.com)

In the centre of the city you can't help but notice Christchurch Cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture. You can climb up to the spire for a bird's-eye view of the city and, while there, examine the cathedral bells at close hand. Other grey-stone nineteenth century buildings, tree-lined avenues and extensive leafy parks give the city an elegant, rather English atmosphere.

Other central city attractions include the beautiful Neo-Gothic Arts Centre, the historic tram which loops the city centre, the Christchurch Gondola and the International Antarctic Centre. Christchurch is also a great place to go shopping--look for Ballantynes, New Zealand's oldest department store.

Expect a high standard of cuisine wherever you go--restaurants and cafes make the most of the region's delicacies and local wines. Before or after lunch, take a leisurely journey down the Avon River in a punt.

Known internationally for its award winning gardens, Christchurch is also a place for events and festivals. Whatever the season, you'll find a non-stop programme of entertainment with events like the Festival of Romance, the International Buskers Festival, Winter carnival, and Showtime Canterbury.