Sign in with Facebook"Christchurch" Christchurch by JohanIsWeg
Christchurch Travel Guide: 1,239 reviews and 2,600 photos
FIRST day in the Land of the Long White Cloud and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Brilliant sunshine! Found parking right in the city centre - $8 for the day.
Started on the Central City Lanes Walk in His Lordship's Lane where we found the remains of a historic advertisement painted on the wall of the former Bell's Motor Works Building. Proceeded through SOL (South of Lichfield) square and doubled back to the former ANZ Bank Chambers standing guard at the intersection of High and Lichfield Streets. The copper dome turret shone brilliantly in the early morning sun.
After coffee at an Italian shop we walked to Cathedral Square - one of Christchurch's primary tourist attractions. Fighting our way through thick American accents we browsed the Cathedral Square Markets before entering the hallowed Christchurch Cathedral. $10 earned us the right to ascend the spiralling stairs to the top of the Cathedral Tower from where we had a birds-eye view of the buskers plying their trade a million miles below.
Christchurch's tourism infrastructure is well developed and we had a running commentary of all the attractions as we made our way to The Arts Centre on one of the city's famous trams. We goggled at the architecture of The Arts Centre buildings and gorged ourselves on Polish sausages, which looked very similar to South African dry wors.
Christchurch's Botanic Gardens explode in a fragrant riot of colour. Grand old trees preside over a multitude of garden beds overflowing with flowers. It is heaven for the huge bees flitting between a smorgasbord of floral delights.
Christ's College, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, is awe-inspiring! Historical buildings stand in military precision around an emerald green square and beneath azure skies. Awesome! And to think it is still an active centre of learning...
Christchurch is rich in architectural places of interest as we stopped off at the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings and Our City O-Tautahi.
ANOTHER idyllic day of blue skies, sunshine and a few wispy white clouds to break the monotony of perfection...
Having made a reservation the previous day, we arrived in central city for our punt on the Avon. Wonderfully peaceful and scenic with weeping willows waving us along. Hard work though for the young teacher who went to Melbourne and married his Japanese sweetheart before returning to his native NZ as proud progenitor...
Having easily found parking close to our intended destination, we were again amazed at the light traffic flow. Patrons wishing to stop off at the markets outside The Arts Centre found parking right outside the markets! Later in the day we drove along streets that carried very little or no traffic!
Following our punt on the Avon we set off for the Gondola, aka a cable car. From the top we were rewarded with some amazing views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, northern beaches and picture-perfect Lyttelton Harbour. Having sated ourselves on the views, we crisscrossed the Port Hills visiting Castle Rock, the Sign of the Kiwi, the Sign of the Takahe and Scarborough Beach.
At Willowbank we experienced an introduction into Maori culture. As a group we made our way through a forest, only to be intercepted by highly agitated Maori warriors. Fortunately for us, our lily-livered leader decided to make peace and we were allowed into the Maori village as honoured guests. The interactive experience included getting members of the audience on stage to perform traditional Maori dances, including a rendition of the haka!
A nature guide of New Zealand fauna followed Ko Tane. While our guide touted the nocturnal kiwi as star of the show, I enjoyed the mischievous kea the most.
Reviews (19)
Doing the Haka at Ko Tane
Things to Do
(11)
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve hosts the Maori cultural adventure Ko Tane... and an adventure it is! After an initial... more travel advice
Native NZ birds at Willowbank Wildlife...
Things to Do
(11)
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is within easy driving distance of central Christchurch. It's a bit like entering into a... more travel advice
Roman Renaissance in Christchurch
Things to Do
(11)
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is regarded by some commentators as "one of the finest examples of church... more travel advice
Cool your heels at Scarborough Clock...
Things to Do
(11)
Enjoy a stroll along Scarborough Esplanade and you're sure to see the impressive stone Clock Tower in Scarborough Park.... more travel advice
JohanIsWeg's Related Pages
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Comments (4)
The Arts Centre has been damaged in the earthquake :-(
Hello Johan! I very much enjoyed your new page, thanks for sharing your stories & photos! Are you travelling this summer? For me, I will return to bonny Scotland in July. Greetings from Dubai / Jess :-)
My cousin has just moved to Christchurch. Nice tips,
I will definitely climb that cathedral Tower when in Christchurch --- I think towers give the best preview of the city, so I always go up...or jump up...hehehe, jumpingnorman :)