Christchurch New Zealand

The third-largest city in New Zealand, Christchurch makes for an excellent travel base on the country's South Island. Located about halfway down the South Island's eastern coast, it is the main city of the Canterbury region. This picturesque region holds many delights for those who appreciate the outdoors, whether you explore the Southern Alps to the west, or hit the Pacific Ocean to the east. The airport in Christchurch New Zealand is the primary gateway for those planning South Island trips, and you'll find a new international terminal here that accepts direct flights from a number of countries. Like New Zealand's other main cities, Christchurch offers a healthy list of things to do, so you might drop in on the city's visitor center to pick up a monthly copy of the Tourist Times. When you're looking to get out of the city here, you'll want to consider renting a car. From stunning nearby beaches and amazing area wineries, to wildlife refuges and mountain landscapes, Christchurch travel pretty much has it all. Back in the city, dining is a pleasure, as gobs of restaurants stand ready to please palate after palate.

Christchurch New Zealand first saw European visitors around the year 1815, and as was customary, soon the native Maori would find themselves involved in a number of land transactions. The Ngai Tahu tribe had been the last Maori group to control the Christchurch region, and when English settlers arrived, they were certainly going through rough times. Diseases brought by Europeans helped to weaken the native Maori tribes all over the country, with tribal warfare also accounting for major loss of life. The English settlers would eventually encroach on Maori lands that were supposed to be protected by the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, including the disputed land where Christchurch city sits today. In 1999, Ngai Tahu descendants finally settled a claim that was based on some of these "stolen" lands.

The English would make early attempts to farm the land in and around present-day Christchurch New Zealand, setting up communities in the area in the latter half of the 1830"s. Plans to establish the city of Christchurch began in 1847, with the name being adopted in 1848. The Canterbury Association was formed in England with the intent of colonizing the Canterbury region in New Zealand, and ships were soon chartered to bring new settlers in. The Canterbury Pilgrims landed at the port at Lyttelton Harbor, and they arrived with the intentions of building a city that would have a central cathedral and college as its focal point. The idea was to mimic the layout of the famous Christ Church in Oxford, hence the name for the city. The English would build Victorian homes along the Avon River, as well as churches, schools and shops. Christchurch still exhibits an English feel, and as such, it is commonly labeled as the country's most English city.

The surviving Cathedral Square is a good place to start exploring town during your Christchurch vacation. It is here that you will find the Christchurch Cathedral. Started in 1864 and finished in 1904, it's one of the main attractions that visitors add to their Christchurch travel itineraries. The 120-foot tower is a joy to climb, awarding remarkable views of the square. To learn more about Christchurch New Zealand and its history, you might schedule a stop at the Canterbury Museum. It's found close to the Arts Center and the city's Botanic Gardens, so you can easily spend the better part of a day hanging out in the area. A Christchurch tourism favorite involves complimenting the Canterbury Museum's Antarctic display with a trip to the city's International Antarctic Center. All the best Christchurch city attractions can be reached by foot from the Cathedral Square, and if you're interested, you can arrange a 2-hour walking tour of the city at one of the main square's Personal Guiding Service kiosks. A Christchurch vacation could be complete even if you never left the city, but with so many great natural attractions within reach, you're bound to want to get out an explore a bit.

Many Christchurch travel plans include a getaway at the nearby seaside town of Kaikoura. Soaring mountains take up where the rugged coast leaves off, and you can enjoy all kinds of fun activities here, like wilderness walks and whale-watching tours. Perhaps you will be interested in adding a tour that highlights the native Maori and their ancient sites, or maybe a little sea kayaking will be the ideal fit for your Christchurch vacation. There's so much to do at Kaikoura that you can easily "get stuck" here longer than you might have originally planned. November through April is the high season for Christchurch travel, but with a good amount of yearly festivals to offer, you might decide to visit any time of year.

During the New Zealand summer, which coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Christchurch tourism involves plenty of beach time. Sumner is the most popular beach suburb, offering an array of bars and eateries. Some visitors will prefer to take their Christchurch vacation during the colder months, as several great ski areas can be found within a 2-hour drive. Dolphin-watching, golf, mountain biking, climbing and skydiving are just some of the other activities that help to make Christchurch travel so rewarding. This city should not disappoint even the most critical of visitors. Just remember to book a room at one of the Christchurch hotels in advance during the high season, especially between the months of December through February.