Christchurch, NZ information for the traveller

[lisak]

I just compiled information on Christchurch for people I met on my travels who are travelling here and thought it might also be a good idea to post it here as well. I hope it helps those of you coming to this area of the
world.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Christchurch is a city that has a population of approx. 350,000. It is currently marking its 150 year history as a settlement with various
special events. If you come in the summer months you will probably be able to catch some of the many free concerts and events that are staged as part of the Summer Times promotion. Highlights include Classical Sparks, an outdoor classical concert in Hagley Park with fireworks, and Carols by Candlelight, held on Christmas Eve in the centre of the city in Victoria Square. If you come in the winter months you will be able to enjoy skiing at Mount Hutt and spectacular snow capped mountain ranges. As far as the weather goes, be prepared for anything. Bring both Summer and winter gear because the weather here can change in an instant, and many times over the course of the day.

FOOD:
Fish and Chips
You will find many fish and chip shops around the city, and many offer cheap Chinese food ($4-8) and hamburgers ($2) as well.
Fish or battered sausage $1-1.50
Scoop of Chips $1-1.50 (you can normally ask for 1/2 scoops)

Food Court
You will find food courts selling pasta dishes, ethnic food as well as McDonalds and KFC in most shopping malls in and around the city. Meals will cost around $6-8.
If you ar staying in the central city you can go to the food court at The Crossing in the city mall area. You can have a plate of Indian food from the self service buffet (samosas, curries, tandoori chicken, rice etc)for $7. Don't worry, the food is not very hot. It's quite mild actually.

Restaurants
A meal at a cheap restaurant will cost around $7-15, although in most restaurants it is around $20-30.
Here are a few suggestions:
Jooji's Sushi Bar, Manchester Street.
- They have an $8 lunch time menu, and their evening prices aren't bad either
($15-20).
Sampan, Gloucester Street.
- Meals at this Cambodian restaurant start from $6.
Punter's, Town Hall.
- A nice place for western dishes. Meals might cost $20+ though.
The Park Royal Hotel has some good restaurants but meals are pretty expensive by NZ standards.
If you are really short on funds, you can buy food at a supermarket where a packet of 5-7 big sausages will cost only $4 or less.
You can also buy beer and wine at supermarkets. A six pack of premium NZ beer (such as Monteiths)will cost you $10-12.
Most beers are cheaper - around $15-18 for 12. You can also buy pretty good NZ wines for $15 or less.

ACCOMMODATION:
It probably pays to book accommodation in the central city, but there are so many hotels, motels, and backpackers now you are sure to find some place to stay. If your arrival coincides with a big rugby game you may find it hard to find accommodation of any sort however. Unless you have your own transport, it is advisable to stay in the central city, where most attractions are within walking distance. You will save a lot of time (if not $) that way. Here are a few places I found out about at the Information Centre:

Charlie B's: Backpackers, 268 Madras Street.
Dorm: $12 / Single (incl. linen): $30 / Double (incl. linen): $20
Reservations Free Phone: 0800 224 222
Email: charlie_b...@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.charliebs.co.nz

Stonehurst, 241 Gloucester Street, Latimer Square.
This place has been named the best backpacker in the South Island, NZ Tourism Board 2000. All singles, doubles and tourist flats have TV, heating and fridge. There is a 24 hour grocery store, restaurant and bar on the premises. Dorm:
$16 to Double: $55+ with own bathroom.
Website: www.stonehurst.co.nz (you can book online)
Reservations Free Phone: 0508 786 633

YMCA, 12 Hereford Street, PO Box 2004, Christchurch.
Dorm: $17 / Single: $37, $55, $60 / Double: $50, $65, $85 (standard, ensuite,
deluxe).
Reservations Free Phone: 0508 96 2224

TRANSPORT:
A taxi ride from the airport to the city could cost over $20, but if you take a bus it shouldn't cost more than a few dollars each. The airport bus goes to the Square via Riccarton every 1/2 hour weekdays and every hour on the hour weekends. The last bus leaves at 9:15 (weekdays) and 9:00 (weekends). If you intend to travel extensively by bus, you can buy a day pass for $5.

TIP: Do not throw away your bus tickets. Providing you are using a bus again before the ticket expires, it is valid for a return trip or transfer. Inside the city, the tram is a nice way to get around. You can buy tickets valid for one hour etc and get on and off the tram at places of interest.

CENTRAL CITY ATTRACTIONS:
The place to begin is Cathedral Square. This is where the Airport bus will drop you off.
Cathedral:
See the church interior and climb the 63m tower for a small fee. There is also a gift shop and cafe next door.
Aquarium:
If you like fish there is an aquarium next to the Information Centre in what was a movie theatre.
Information Centre:
Located in the former post Office building this new and improved Information Centre has booking desk, money changer and library of brochures neatly organised by catagory.
Art Centre:
Located on Worchester Boulevard, the Art Centre was formerly the University of Canterbury before the campus was moved to Riccarton. You can buy arts and crafts here, or sip coffee or beer at one of its cafes. They sometimes stage concerts here, and every weekend it is a market place selling all manner of arts and crafts with food stalls out the back.
Canterbury Museum:
You can find out about the history of Canterbury at the museum across the street from the Arts Centre. It is customary to leave a donation, but otherwise it is free. They sometimes hold special exhibitions.
Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park:
The Botanical Gardens are well worth a look even if you aren't particularly into flora and fauna. You can enter through the entrance next to the museum. It is open till about 6 and entry is free. There is a restaurant inside and you tour the gardens on a small cart. There are clearly marked walking trails that you can follow that will take you around the various historical building and other places of interest around
the city.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE CITY:
Mona Vale:
This former house and garden (now a park) is a nice place to relax,have lunch, go punting on the Avon River, or feed the ducks. Free theatre is staged here as part of Summer Times.
Dean's Bush:
This small nature reserve gives a glimpse into how Christchurch used to look before it was all cleared to make way for colonial settlement. University of Canterbury Campus:
Many tourists go to the University to admire the gardens. This is where I used to study.
Willowbank Nature Reserve:
This small zoo has night time tours that allow you to see the kiwi and other nighttime animals. There is a bigger zoo, Orana Park, which is more expensive and do not have night attractions (closes at 5). You can see the kiwi there too.
Antarctic Centre:
Here you can experience multimedia exhibits about the Antarctic as well as simulated Antarctic conditions. Prices from $16. This place is located close to the airport so you could visit it on your way into the city.
Port Hills:
There are two ways to get a panoramic view of Canterbury and Lyttleton Harbour, on the other side of the hills. You can take the gondola, or drive up the Port Hills and stop at the The Sign of the Takahe and the Sign of the Kiwi. Both are historical building which are now restaurants. In the winter, it is probably better to go in the day because of the smog at night (caused mainly by open fires).
Nga Hau E Wha National Marae:
You can visit this marae (meeting house) and learn about Maori culture. They have evening concerts and hangi (food steamed in the ground).
Website: http://www.nationalmarae.co.nz
Ferrymead Historic Park:
Here you will experience how Christchurch used to be. Admission is $8.

ACTIVITIES:
Bungee Rocket, New Brighton:
You are strapped in a chair and flung upwards. Approx. $35.
Horse Trekking:
You can go trekking in and around the city from around $25. If you want a lesson there is a very good place called the Mairehau Horse Riding Centre (130 Mairehau Road) which offers one hour lessons for $10. The problem is they don't have a phone! They are closed on Mon and Tues. We take all our visitors there. You get to groom the horses, put the saddle on etc.
Wine Trails:
You can visit top Canterbury vineyards and sample their wines for around $45 (3 1/2 hrs).
Sheep Tours:
Farm visits start from around $40 and usually include shearing displays and sheep dog demonstrations.
Skydiving:
Tandem skydives with an instructor cost $245.
Ballooning:
A nice but expensive ($200) way to see the region. I think tours take off from Hagley Park.
Other:
Although you can go rafting and jet boating here these are activities best sampled in Queenstown on the Shotover.

DAY EXCURSIONS FROM CHCH:
Kaikoura:
At this coastal township 3hrs to the east of CHCH you can go whale watching by sea or by air, visit a seal colony, swim with the dolphins, and sample fresh crayfish.
A tour that includes transport, whale watching, seal visit, and wine tasting on the way back costs $160 ($185 with cray lunch).
Akaroa:
This picturesque former French settlement offers swimming with the dolphins ($70 - probably better than Kaikoura because the water is bound to be warmer), a cheese factory, harbour cruise ($30)and fresh Akaroa cod fish and chips. 2 1/2 hours away from CHCH, day tours to Akaroa will cost around $40.
Hanmer Springs:
Here you can go on scenic nature walks, bungy jump, go rafting, go jet boating and soak in the hot pools. It is 1 1/2 hrs away from CHCH. You should be able to get a no frills coach there and back for $30 or so.

Transalpine to Arthur's Pass and Greymouth:
At about $150 return, this train journey to the West Coast is not cheap but well worth it for the scenery. If you like to go tramping (hiking) then Arthur's Pass is a must, and West Coast scenery is spectacular in any weather. Alternatively, you could buy a one way ticket and travel down the West Coast by bus and see the Glaciers and go to Queenstown via Wanaka ($25). Otherwise, you can take an express coach to Queenstown from Christchurch from around $45. You will have a rest stop at Lake Tekapo, which is quite a sight when the lupins are in bloom over the summer months. The trip will take over 7 hrs.

Well, I hope the above info helps. I took the prices from pamphlets I gathered randomly from the Information Centre, so it might pay to hunt around. Prices can vary dramatically from operator to operator. If you like to eat well, make sure you try some NZ salmon, beef and lamb
while you are here. For the best beer specials (less then $1 a can) try Pack'n Save, on Moorhouse Ave. This chain usually offers the best beer prices.

[lisak]

We just returned from there and I would add the "Boat Shed" cafe as a nice, inexpensive place to eat and enjoy the view. It's also a historic site and they rent small boats for a leisure paddle on the Avon river. We also walked to the Canterbury Beer Brewery and they have daily tours and some really cheap t-shirts etc. We we're looking for bar towels and they were $4NZ.

[silvergirlsouth]

for anyone who is interested, Christchurch and Canterbury tourism have some great resources ... and they have just launched a new site with deals and specials, and a blog you can subscribe to. the deals site is http://whatshot.christchurchnz.com and their blog is at http://blog.christchurchnz.com

Christchurch is a great place to visit - my home town, so I am always happy to answer questions from anyone who is planning a trip.

sgs