Christchurch

Christchurch has a rich English heritage. This especially shows in the older buildings, especially in the cultural precinct along Worcester Boulevard (which is open from the Avon River towards the west), where most heritage buildings remain. The Avon River flows through the central city and disrupts the regular rectangular layout of the city streets.
Christchurch is known as the Garden City, a well-deserved name. Looking from a few floors up, one is struck by the number of trees that grow like a forest throughout the suburbs.

History

The Canterbury Association was established in London in 1848, with the intent of settling English emigrants in what was to become Christchurch and the Canterbury region. The city's name was chosen on 27 March 1848, named after the Christ Church college at the University of Oxford. The first settlers arrived in the future Christchurch in December 1850. Christchurch was declared a city in 1856, New Zealand's first. Construction began on the landmark ChristChurch Cathedral in 1864; the cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1881.
At 04:35 on Saturday, 4 September 2010, the city and region was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, located 10 km deep and 40 km west of the city centre. Parts of the city were damaged, but there were no fatalities. However, 5½ months later, at 12:51 on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, a magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck 10 km south of the city centre at 5 km deep. Already damaged buildings collapsed, killing 185 people, 115 of which resulted from the six-storey Canterbury Television building collapsing and catching fire. Many other central city buildings, old and new, were damaged beyond repair and were subsequently demolished. The landmark ChristChurch Cathedral lost its spire tower and most of its western facade. Liquefaction severely affected the eastern suburbs, resulting in 10,000 homes having to be abandoned due to land damage (the "residential red zone"). Some residents moved out of the city after the quake – many moved out to the Waimakariri and Selwyn Districts north and south of the city respectively, and some moved to other areas in Canterbury and further afield.
A very hip scene has developed in some of the suburbs close to the centre, and many 'gapfiller' projects (as part of the earthquake recovery) are stunning. In 2013, Lonely Planet declared post-earthquake Christchurch as one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world.
In March 2019, a white nationalist carried out consecutive terrorist attacks on two mosques in the city, killing 51 people in the deadliest mass shooting in modern New Zealand history. The suspect was arrested and is expected to go to trial in June 2020. The attacks resulted in a significant tightening of gun laws in New Zealand.

i-Site Visitor Centre

Free booking service for accommodation, activities and transport.

Climate

Like the rest of New Zealand, Christchurch has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, mild to warm summers, cool winters, and rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. The city is the driest of New Zealand's major cities with only 630 mm of rain per year, half of what Auckland and Wellington receive. This is due to the city being in the lee of the Southern Alps, which blocks the moist westerly winds off the Tasman Sea and causes the moisture to fall back as rain on the West Coast. The Southern Alps also causes a hot and strong foehn wind, locally known as the "Nor'wester", to blow across Christchurch and the Canterbury plains. The Nor'wester is most pronounced in summer and can cause temperatures in Christchurch to soar over . Christchurch occasionally receives snow during winter; on average one significant snowfall occurs in the city every 1 to 3 years.

By plane

• 
  
  There are two regular public bus services from the airport to the city centre. The number 29 bus travels via Fendalton, while the Purple Line bus travels via the University of Canterbury and Riccarton. The 30-min trip costs $8.50 (or $2.55 with a Metrocard) and between the two routes buses operate every 15-30 minutes during the day, 7 days a week. The fare can be reduced to $4 by catching the bus a seven-minute walk from the airport at the stop on Memorial Ave in front of the Sudima Hotel sign. A door-to-door shuttle service to all parts of Christchurch is available; the price to the city centre is $24 for the first person and $5 for each additional person travelling to the same destination. Taxi stands (about $45-65 to the city centre) and rental car parks are close to the terminal building.
  
  
  If you have a few hours to spare and no heavy luggage, you can walk to the airport. There is a footpath alongside Fendalton Road/Memorial Avenue all the way to the airport and the 8 km walk through residential neighbourhoods is quite pleasant.
  
  

  By car

  Christchurch lies at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 73. State Highways 1, 74 and 76 form a ring road through the outer suburbs of the city.
  From the Upper South Island, follow State Highway 1 southbound through Waipara, Amberley, Woodend and Kaiapoi to approach Christchurch from the north.
  From the West Coast, follow State Highway 73 over Arthur's Pass and via Darfield and West Melton to approach Christchurch from the west. Alternatively, you can follow State Highway 7 over the Lewis Pass, meeting State Highway 1 at Waipara and approaching Christchurch from the north.
  From the Lower South Island, follow State Highway 1 northbound through Ashburton and Rolleston to approach Christchurch from the south-west.
  Typical distances and non-stop travel times to Christchurch are:
  • Picton – 340 km, 6hr (via Kaikoura); 480 km, 7hr (via Lewis Pass)
  • Blenheim – 310 km, 5hr 30min (via Kaikoura); 450 km, 6hr 30 min (via Lewis Pass)
  • Nelson – 420 km, 6hr (via Lewis Pass)
  • Greymouth – 240 km, 3hr 15min
  • Timaru – 170 km, 2hr 15min
  • Dunedin – 360 km, 4hr 30 min
  • Queenstown – 480 km, 6hr
  • Invercargill – 570 km, 7hr
  
  

  By bus

  National operators InterCity and Newmans Coach Lines provide multiple daily connections to destinations throughout the South Island. There are daily bus services to and from Picton to the north, Dunedin, Queenstown and Mt Cook to the south, and the West Coast (Greymouth, Hokitika). The bus stop is outside the Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street, and there is an Intercity office inside the Interchange. Newmans Coach Lines buses (to Tekapo/Queenstown) depart from outside Canterbury Museum in Rolleston Ave, nearest the Worcester Boulevard intersection.
  Smaller shuttle operators also operate from Christchurch:
  • Atomic Shuttles, a local operator with services to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass
  • East West Coaches run shuttle buses from Westport via the Lewis Pass, and via Greymouth and the Arthur's Pass. The bus stops at the Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Ave.
  
  

  By train

  Johnragla
  • 
    
    The TranzAlpine can take you coast-to-coast between Christchurch and Greymouth, a town on the West Coast. This scenic train journey can be done as a day trip. The train departs from Christchurch daily at 08:15, arriving at Greymouth at 12:45, then leaves Greymouth at 13:45, getting back to Christchurch at 18:05. During the trip you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains, followed by spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to Greymouth.
    
    
    The Coastal Pacific runs between Picton and Christchurch. At Picton the Coastal Pacific connects with the Cook Strait ferries from Wellington in the North Island. The train departs Christchurch at 07:00 and arrives in Picton at 13:15, connecting with the 14:00 ferry to Wellington. The 09:00 ferry from Wellington connects with the train departing Picton at 14:15 and arriving in Christchurch at 20:30. Canterbury Shuttles pick-ups for the Coastal Pacific are 06:00-06:30.
    
    

Christchurch is mostly flat with a grid-pattern layout, so navigation by road is generally simple. The central city is contained by the "four avenues" – Bealey Ave in the north, Fitzgerald Ave in the east, Deans Ave in the west, and Moorhouse Ave in the south. Watch out for one-way streets and bus-and-taxi-only intersections in the central city.

By bike

Many people get around on bicycles, and special-purpose bicycle lanes have been added to many streets to help promote cycling.

By car

Parking in the city uses a pay and display system and costs $2.60/hour. You can pay with coins, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AmEx) or with a mobile phone text message (the latter two attract a 50c surcharge) then display the ticket with the expiry time visible on the kerbside dash. Rental cars are available. Most depots are on the airport side of town, with just a few near the CBD.

By tram

The city has a small tram loop, best regarded as an attraction rather than a transport system due to its small size of coverage, high price ($25 day pass for adults, free for children) and limited hours.

By bus

The city bus service is called Metro. Buses interconnect through the on Lichfield St, just east of Colombo St. A standard cash bus fare within the city is $4 or $2.55 with a Metrocard. The Metrocard costs $10 and needs to be topped up with a minimum of $10, its purchase will then cost you $20. By using the card you will travel for free the same day after paying two trips. Services cover the whole city and areas of interest for a visitor that lie outside the central city, such as Sumner and New Brighton beaches, Lyttelton, and the Gondola.
The core bus network has four cross-city routes and a circular route through the inner suburbs. Buses on these routes run every 15 minutes during the day, seven days a week. The four cross-city routes converge at the Bus Interchange.

• Blue Line (B) - runs north-south between Belfast and Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). Every other service continues north of Belfast to Kaiapoi and Rangiora, and every other service continues south of PMH to Cashmere. Connects with Orbiter at Northlands (north) and PMH (south).
• Purple Line (P) - runs northwest-southeast between the Airport or Sheffield Crescent (alternating services) and Sumner. Connects with Orbiter at University of Canterbury and Westfield Riccarton.
• Yellow Line (Y) - runs west-east between Hornby and New Brighton. Every other service continues west of Hornby to Rolleston. Connects with the Orbiter at Westfield Riccarton (west) and Eastgate Mall (east).
• Orange Line (O) - runs south-west-northeast between Halswell and Queenspark. Connects with Orbiter at The Palms Mall.
• The Orbiter (Or, green) - runs a circular route through the inner suburbs, starting and ending at Eastgate.

In some areas buses may be infrequent, particularly at the weekend, when there may only be one or two buses per hour.

• Metro Info

  phone: +64 3 366 8855
  address: Bus Interchange, cnr Lichfield St and Colombo St

By scooter

• Lime electric scooters can be hired by the minute using a phone app. They do not come with safety equipment such as helmets. Pedestrians may need to watch out for inexperienced riders.

• Air Force Museum

  phone: +64 3 343 9542
  address: 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram
  Opened in 1987 before the closure of the Christchurch RNZAF base, this museum has full-size replicas of fighting planes and dramatizes the history of New Zealand's Air Force from World War I to Vietnam and beyond.

• Arts Centre

  address: Worcester Blvd, Central City
  Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. This area was damaged during the 22 Feb 2011 earthquake. While reconstruction work is taking place some of these buildings are closed to the general public. However, the beauty and historical significance of these building can still be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Blvd and Hereford St, and the excellent Canterbury Cheesemongers still operates from a modern building within its precincts. As of December 2018, the I-Site, a commercial gallery and the Great Hall (and the courtyard outside) are open. Rutherford's Den ($20 admission), an exhibition on physics, is open.

• Botanic Gardens

  phone: +64 3 941 7590
  address: Rolleston Ave, Central City
  30 hectares of exotic and indigenous plants and trees wrapped in a loop of the picturesque Avon River and linking to the 160-hectare Hagley Park. These put the "Garden" in the "Garden City", and the combined total with Hagley Park makes them the second largest inner city park in the world (after New York's Central Park). A new visitor centre and cafe opened in 2014.

• Bridge of Remembrance

  address: Cashel St
  A memorial to those lost in World War I and subsequent conflicts. A memorial arch was added to an existing bridge over the River Avon in 1923-24. The arch was damaged in the 2011 quake and reopened after repairs on Anzac Day 2016. The bridge is open all the time to walk across, but has been closed to vehicles since 1976.

• Canterbury Museum

  phone: +64 3 366-5000
  address: Rolleston Ave at end of Worcester Blvd
  Includes colonial, Māori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. Admission free to main exhibits (but donation appreciated), $2 for Discovery children's section.

• Cardboard Cathedral

  phone: +64 3 366 0046
  address: 234 Hereford St, Central City
  Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, well known for his use of cardboard elements in buildings, the cathedral was completed in August 2013 to serve as the Anglican cathedral while ChristChurch Cathedral is rebuilt. It is built on the site of St Johns church, which was demolished after being severely damaged in the 2011 quake.

• Christchurch Art Gallery

  phone: +64 3 941-7300
  address: Worcester Blvd and Montreal St
  Spectacular $47-million facility opened in 2003, the largest in the South Island, with over 5000 items and visiting exhibitions. The gallery reopened in Dec 2015, after 5 years of being a Civil Defence Centre and then repairs. You can store your suitcase at the reception, so it is a nice place to go in the morning if you are leaving in the afternoon.

• Earthquake tourism. Tours of affected sites are available. Visitors can also make their own way to sites of particular significance such as:

• Canterbury Earthquake National MemorialDedicated to those who died or were injured in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. It is beside the Avon River, immediately downstream from Montreal St and upstream from Rhododendron Island in the Avon.

• 185 Empty Chairs

  address: Madras/Cashel Sts
  An art work that is a memorial to the 185 people who died in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The chairs are on the site of the demolished St Paul's Church, across the road from the site of the most casualties, the Canterbury Television building, where 115 people died. There are actually 186 chairs, the extra one being for people who died in Christchurch on the day, but were not directly killed by the quake.

• Site of Canterbury Television buildingThe site of the CTV building, where 115 people died was planted as a memorial garden in 2018.

• Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

  address: South Barbadoes St
  The Roman Catholic cathedral, which partly collapsed in the quake. It may eventually be partially rebuilt. View it from the outside.

• ChristChurch Cathedral

  address: Cathedral Square, Central City
  The Gothic revival cathedral was consecrated in 1881 as the seat of the Christchurch Anglican diocese. Damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the cathedral sat largely untouched for years due to debate over what should be done with it. Removal of rubble commenced in late 2018 and rebuilding work is expected to take 10 years.

• Quake City

  address: 299 Durham St North
  Coordinated by Canterbury Museum, it has exhibits about earthquakes in Christchurch, particularly the quakes of 2010–11.

Ferrymead Heritage Park

phone: +64 3 384 1970

address: Ferrymead Park Dr

A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage (daily), tram (weekends and school/public holidays) and train (first and third Sunday) rides. Not all attractions run at all times, due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing the park. Special events are often held and the park has been used to film the TV One reality show Colonial House. Admission price is based on whether trams/trains are operating or not, and include unlimited rides if available.

• International Antarctic Centre

  phone: +64 3 357-0519
  address: 38 Orchard Rd, Christchurch Airport
  A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, café and gift shop.

• Orana Wildlife Park

  phone: +64 3 359-7109
  address: McLeans Island Rd
  New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary and conservation project featuring endangered animals from around the world. The park's design minimises fences and cages in favour of natural boundaries and habitats. Lion Encounter (limited 20 tickets per day, participants must be above 1.4 metres in height).

• Riccarton BushThe last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. The circular track passes under tall kahikatea trees, and there is a diversity of small trees, shrubs, climbers and ferns. Christchurch's oldest house, Dean's Cottage (built 1843), is adjacent. Five minutes drive from central city and easily accessible by bus.

• St Michael and All Angels Church

  address: 86-90 Oxford Terrace
  This wooden Anglican church dating from 1872 suffered only minor quake damage (it was closed for three months). It has an unusual separate bell tower.

• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

  phone: +64 3 359 6226
  address: 60 Hussey Rd
  A smaller park than Orana, with a focus on New Zealand species including kiwi in a natural environment. The site also houses Ko Tāne replica Maori village which offers cultural performances and hangi dinners.

• Yaldhurst Museum

  phone: +64 3 342-7914
  address: Main West Rd
  Mostly interesting for its collection of over 150 classic and vintage vehicles.

• Antigua Boatsheds

  phone: +64 3 366-5885
  address: 2 Cambridge Tce, Central City
  Boat hire from historic British boatsheds for a hands-on water experience.

• Christchurch Adventure Park

  address: 225 Worsleys Rd, Cracroft
  Very good mountain biking trails for advanced, intermediate and beginner bikers, and also zip-lines. Take the chairlift up then bike down. There are bike and gear rentals, lessons and skills clinics, and a cafe and bar. There are charges for the chairlift, rather than the biking as such – you can take the uphill trail for free.

• Christchurch Casino

  phone: +64 3 365-9999
  address: 30 Victoria St, Central City
  Dress code (jeans now allowed). You get a free meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) if it is your birthday (booking essential).

• Christchurch Gondola

  phone: +64 3 384-0310
  address: 10 Bridle Path Rd, Heathcote Valley
  Ride in an enclosed gondola car up to the summit of the Port Hills then view the Heritage Time Tunnel exhibit, take an outdoor nature walk, visit the cafe and shop. The trip takes 10 min but it is recommended to allow an hour all up. A shuttle bus runs daily from outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave.

• Garden City Helicopters

  phone: +64 3 358 4360
  address: 515 Memorial Ave
  Scenic flights from 20 min to 3 hours.

• Punting on the Avon

  phone: +64 3 366 0337
  address: 2 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central
  Punts depart from Antigua Boatsheds (see above). Glide down the river in Cambridge University style with a uniformed boatsman.

• Summit RoadDrive it or bike it or take a bus then walk it. The road (and the Crater Rim Walkway) traverses the crest of the Port Hills, which separate Christchurch from Lyttelton Harbour. Breathtaking views over Christchurch, the Southern Alps, Pegasus Bay, Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula – often all from the same vantage point. Lots of sheep on the walkways, some of which traverse working farms. It is not possible to drive along all of Summit Rd because part is closed due to earthquake damage. The route passes through countryside that was badly burned by the Port Hill fires in Feb 2017.

• Tram rideRuns every 8-10 mins on a loop in the central city that takes 25 min in total. Get on and off as you please with your day-long ticket.

• Christ's College

  address: Rolleston Avenue
  80-minute tours of the independent (fee-paying) boarding school. The school was established in 1850 and follows the English public school model. The school has about 650 boys who wear a black and white striped blazer. Tour tickets can be bought from the i-Site.

Festivals

Christchurch has the busiest program of annual festivals of any New Zealand city.

• SummertimesRuns from December through to late February and includes a number of major free events in Hagley Park, which attract audiences of up to 100,000. It consists of music, arts, culture and sporting events.

• The World Buskers FestivalRuns for two weeks in January and usually features about 30 comedy, street, and circus acts from around the globe.

• KidsfestDuring the midwinter school holiday. Programme is announced in early June.

• Christchurch Arts FestivalThe largest arts festival in the South Island, it takes place every second year around Aug-Sep. Next held 26 Jul – 4 Aug 2019.

• Carnival WeekCentred on a number of events taking place in November - Guy Fawkes' night (a major public firework display at New Brighton Pier), the two New Zealand Cup (trotting and galloping) horse racing meetings, and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral show, which is the largest in the country.

• Carols by CandlelightA long-standing tradition on Christmas Eve.

The famous Container Mall, a temporary replacement for the earthquake-damaged City Mall, closed in Jan 2018.

• Riverside

  address: 100 Oxford Terrace
  Indoor market with fresh produce and food stalls - full of artwork, local products and seating areas

• Ballantynes

  phone: +64 3 379 7400
  address: cnr Colombo and Cashel Sts
  This major upmarket department store has been through its fair share of disasters – as well as the earthquakes of the 2010s, in 1947 the store was gutted by the deadliest fire in New Zealand history, with 41 deaths.

• Christchurch Farmers' Market

  address: 16 Kahu Rd, Riccarton
  Meet the growers, farmers, brewers and other artisan producers. A lively affair in the grounds of Riccarton House.

• New Regent StreetA beautiful street of terraced Spanish Mission-style speciality shops that opened in 1932 and have reopened since the quake. The tram runs along the street.

• Suburban malls include:

• Northlands Shopping Centre

  phone: +64 3 352-6535
  address: 55 Main North Rd, Papanui
  135 stores over 42,000 m 2 , including Countdown, Farmers, Hoyts cinemas, Pak'nSave and The Warehouse.

• The Palms

  phone: +64 3 385-3067
  address: cnr Marshland & New Brighton Rds, Shirley
  110 stores over 34,000 m 2 , including Countdown, Farmers, Kmart and Reading Cinemas.

• Westfield Riccarton

  phone: +64 3 983-4500
  address: 129 Riccarton Rd, Riccarton
  The South Island's oldest (1965) and largest (55,000 m 2 ) mall. 200 stores, including Briscoes, Farmers, Hoyts cinemas, Kmart and Pak'nSave.

Riccarton Rotary Market

address: Riccarton Racecourse, 146 Racecourse Rd, Sockburn

Selling all sorts of things from plants, fruit and vegetables to kiwi souvenirs and cheap Asian wares. Has performances, bouncy castles and food.

Self-prepared

Fruit and vegetable shops offer locally grown high quality fresh produce for prices often much cheaper than supermarkets.
;Supermarkets

• Fresh Choice

  address: Lichfield St
  The most central supermarket, but also the smallest, and not the cheapest.

• Countdown

  address: cnr Moorhouse Ave & Madras St
  Supermarket.

• New World

  address: South City Mall, 555 Colombo St
  Supermarket in a small shopping centre which also has The Warehouse.

• Pak'n'Save

  address: 297 Moorhouse Ave
  The cheapest supermarket chain overall, but may not have as wide a range as Countdown and New World.

;Other

• Aha Wildlife Bakery

  address: 100 Oxford Terrace
  Wildlife themed bakery shop - bakes delicious animal-shaped bread and cookies fresh on the market. Try a kiwi, have a whale - and enjoy the artwork on the walls!

• Funky Pumpkin

  address: 290 Colombo St, Sydenham
  Fresh fruit and vegetables and some meat.

• Holy Smoke

  phone: +64 3 943-2222
  address: 650 Ferry Rd, Woolston
  Deli specialising in food that has been manuka-smoked in house. The smoked salmon alone is well worth the trip. (No longer has a restaurant.)

Budget

Fish'n'chips is the cheapest meal out.
The Asian district is mainly in the Riccarton/Upper Riccarton area. Church Corner is often considered the unofficial 'Chinatown'. It has Chinese supermarkets, all kinds of Asian restaurants and more. There are many Korean restaurants there, and in the shopping precinct near Westfield Riccarton. KOSCO, a Korean supermarket, has several branches in Christchurch, including one in Riccarton.

• Perry's Cafe

  address: 145 Madras St
  Surprisingly good cafeteria-style food with touches of cafe class, gets crowded around lunchtime.

• Welcome

  address: 2 Wharenui Rd, Riccarton
  Delicious Chinese vegetarian meals. Don't miss the hotplate and clay pot special dishes too!

• Afghan Resturant

  phone: +64 3 338 7029
  address: 314 Lincoln Rd, Addington
  A rustic place that offers tasty chicken or lamb cooked over an open flame grill, served with rice and salad. A chicken curry is usually available too. Large portions, and you can takeout any leftovers. There is no menu and no toilet on site.

Mid-range

• Addington Coffee Co-Op

  phone: +64 3 943 1662
  address: 297 Lincoln Rd, Addington
  Sells fair trade coffee and clothing in a lively atmosphere. Also has a laundry.

• Dux Dine

  phone: +64 3 348 1436
  address: 28 Riccarton Rd
  Pescatarian restaurant with lovely garden seating, the pizzas are good value to share, and the salads are fantastic. Also serves their craft beers including alcoholic ginger beer. One half of the erstwhile Dux de Lux in Hereford St.

• Under the Red Verandah

  phone: +64 3 381-1109
  address: 29 Tancred St, Linwood
  Offers a range of food incorporating fair trade coffee, free range eggs and gluten-free baked goods.

• Velvet Burger

  phone: +64 3 343 5924
  address: 111 Riccarton Rd
  Gourmet burger joint which also offers local beers.

Splurge

• King of Snake

  phone: +64 3 365 7363
  address: 145 Victoria St
  Offers Thai and Asian fusion food.

• Pascatore and 50 Bistro

  phone: +64 3 379-4560
  address: The George hotel, 50 Park Terrace
  Two restaurants in this upmarket hotel. Great views of Hagley Park from Pescatore.

• Strawberry Fare

  phone: +64 3 365-4897
  address: 19 Bealey Ave, Merivale
  Carries an extensive menu of modern interpreted New Zealand dishes and many dessert dishes. Reservations are required.

• @Tony's

  phone: +64 3 348-5644
  address: 2 Waterman Place, Ferrymead Central
  Good Japanese teppanyaki with special all-you-can-eat deals Su-Th ($42).

• The Watershed Restaurant & Bar

  address: 12/23 Humphrey's Drive, Ferrymead
  Overlooking the waterfront in Ferrymead.

• Aikmans

  address: 154 Aikmans Rd, Merivale
  An upscale bistro and bar in trendy Merivale.

• Bealey's Speight's Ale House

  address: 263 Bealey Ave

• The Craic Irish Bar

  address: 84 Riccarton Rd

• No. 4

  address: 4 Mansfield Ave
  Bar and restaurant. Relaxed during the day and busy (but not too busy) on weekend nights. Great wines, Monteiths beers and a solid menu.

• Speight's Ale House Tower Junction

  address: Tower Junction Mega Centre, 55 Clarence St, Riccarton
  A relaxed atmosphere bar, a great place for meals.
• If you fancy a short drive or bus ride (approx. 15 minutes from city centre), go to The Wunderbar in Lyttelton. It has a small room for gigs and is popular with artists. The Monster Bar (downstairs, next door) is an excellent Yakitori restaurant and bar though smaller and with more of a focus on DJs.

Following the earthquakes, some major hotels were demolished. This reduction in supply and the increased demand due to construction work means that accommodation in Christchurch is a little more expensive than other cities in New Zealand.
Backpackers are safe, clean, cheap and cheerful. The cheapest option is a share/dorm room usually costing around $30 per night. Most offer single rooms, twin and double rooms and shared rooms. The standard of backpackers is very good in New Zealand.
Motels are a notch up. Low end around $79 per night. There are also many good quality B&Bs in Christchurch and surrounding district.

Budget

• Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Park & Motels

  phone: +64 3 352-9176
  address: 39 Meadow Street, Papanui
  Deluxe motels, cabins and tent site facilities for overnight stays, group trips and longer vacations. 5 minutes walk to Northlands Shopping Centre, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, cinema and bus stop. 10 minutes drive to Christchurch Airport and 5 km to city centre.

• Dorset House Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 366-8268
  address: 1 Dorset St, Central City
  Charming hostel accommodation in an 1871 heritage home, top-rated. Open again after full renovation and re-decoration. Free Wi-Fi, car-parking, spacious rooms, no bunks, all beds fully made. Set among flower gardens and 50 m from Hagley Park. On the airport bus route. Multi-share and family rooms available. Secure online bookings available.

• Jailhouse Accommodation

  phone: +64 3 982-7777
  address: 338 Lincoln Rd, Addington
  Renovated heritage backpacker accommodation with a colourful history - the former Addington Prison (closed to inmates in 1999). The Jailhouse has single, double, twin, dorm and family rooms. Wi-Fi and free parking. Secure online bookings available.

• The Old Countryhouse Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 381 5504
  address: 437 Gloucester St, Linwood
  Backpacker prices for hotel grade mattresses and linen, spotlessly clean hostel facilities, guest telephone with free local calls, Wi-Fi, Spa Sanctuary with spa pool & sauna.

• Rolleston House YHA

  phone: +64 3 366 6564
  address: 5 Worcester Boulevard
  Converted from a characterful house. One of two YHA hostels in the centre of Christchurch.

• YMCA

  phone: +64 3 365 0502
  address: 12 Hereford St
  Modern hostel/basic hotel next to the Botanic Gardens.

Mid-range

• AAA Northlands Motel

  phone: +64 3 352-8478
  address: 232 Main North Rd, Northcote
  Close to Northlands Mall and QE2 Park.

• Addington Court Motel

  phone: +64 3 339-4211
  address: 197 Lincoln Rd, Addington
  Close to Addington Raceway, A&P Showgrounds and Westpac Trust Stadium.

• Airport Christchurch Motel

  phone: +64 3 977-4970
  address: 55 Roydvale Ave, Burnside
  4 minutes drive to the airport, but not on any flight path.

• City Central Motel Apartments

  phone: +64 3 379-0540
  address: 252 Barbadoes St, Central
  5 minutes walk to Litchfield St restaurants and 7 minutes walk to Cathedral Square.

• Classique Lodge Motel

  phone: +64 3 348-4977
  address: 290 Blenheim Rd, Riccarton
  5 minutes to Westfield Riccarton Shopping Mall.

• Heartland Hotel Cotswold

  phone: +64 3 355-3535
  address: 88-96 Papanui Rd, Merivale

• Milano Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 3 355-2800
  address: 87 Papanui Rd, Papanui
  5 minutes walk to Hagley Park or Merivale Shopping Mall, 2-3 minutes walk to restaurants

• Orpington House Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +64 3 325-7790
  address: 3 Marion Pl, Lincoln
  Has just one bedroom. 20 minutes drive outside of Christchurch city.

Apartments

For travellers who want to stay a month or longer, there are a number of furnished flats for rent advertised in the papers. A local company called Urban Rooms has furnished rentals specifically for travellers, ranging from rooms in a shared house to self-contained flats with garages.

• Red Door Cottage

  phone: +64 27 422 0764
  address: 115 Merivale Ln, Merivale
  Self-catering for up to 5. Close to City Centre, public transport, restaurants, shopping. Sky TV, free Wi-Fi, rate includes continental breakfast first day. King & queen beds, warm and private, with off-street parking. Minimum stay 2 nights.

• Valley View Cottage

  phone: +64 27 422 0764
  address: 101 Hillsborough Tce, Saint Martins
  Self-catering for maximum of 3. Private, relaxing and peaceful, on lower slopes of Hills with views to City. Sky TV, free Wi-Fi, rate includes continental breakfast provisions for first day. Queen bed, warm and cosy with off-street parking.

• West Fitzroy Apartments

  address: 66 Armagh St
  Large apartments with parking, short walk to city centre, balconies with views.

Splurge

• Eliza’s Manor Boutique Hotel

  phone: +64 3 366-8584
  address: 82 Bealey Ave, Central
  Luxury B&B with 8 ensuite rooms, smoke-free.

• The George

  address: 50 Park Tce
  Luxury boutique hotel by the river Avon and Hagley Park. Two restaurants, 50 Bistro and Pescatore.

• Novotel Christchurch

  address: 52 Cathedral Square
  Built in 2010 and reopened in 2013. Meeting and conference rooms, restaurant, bar, gym and 154 rooms. Qualmark rating of 4 Star Plus.

• Rendezvous Hotel

  address: 166 Gloucester St
  Built in 2010 and reopened in 2013.

Christchurch has a problem with smog during the winter, but only at night. Although conditions have improved over the years due to the intervention of the city council, take care venturing out on calm frosty evenings if you have a breathing-related medical condition.
While violent crime is relatively rare, some people do have a tendency towards aggression when drunk, as in most cities. Linwood is one of the lower socio-economic area of Christchurch, and is rougher than some other neighborhoods, but is still considered safe. As in any city, take care late at night, especially on Friday and Saturdays, as levels of intoxication can lead to unwanted attention or unprovoked violence. Avoid dark alleyways and confrontations and, if in doubt, make haste to a populated area and call the police (dial 111).
Aftershocks from the 2010-11 earthquakes have long since subsided. There is still a risk of another major earthquake rocking Christchurch, but the chances are comparable to any other New Zealand city.

• Christchurch Central Police Station

  phone: +64 3 363-7400
  address: 68 St Asaph St

• 24 Hour Surgery

  phone: +64 3 365 7777
  address: 401 Madras St
  Urgent accident and medical centre, with on-site facilities for fractures.

Consulates

• Austria

  phone: +64 21 440 164 (Mobile)
  address: 19 Joyce Crescent, Ilam
  Honorary Consulate-General - the embassy is in Canberra, Australia. Can issue emergency travel documents. This consulate deals with Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Stewart Island and the Chathams and there are other honorary consuls in Auckland and Wellington.

• Cyprus

  phone: +64 3 343-0587
  address: 50-58 Parkhouse Rd, Sockburn
  Mr Kypros Kotzikas, Honorary Consul.

As a major gateway to the South Island, Christchurch is often the starting or finishing point for touring the rest of the island.

Greater Christchurch

The Greater Christchurch area covers the Banks Peninsula southeast of Christchurch and the lowland areas of the Waimakariri and Selywn district, approximately in a 50 km radius of central Christchurch.

• Lyttelton, the port town just over the Port Hills from the city, is accessible by car/bus through the tunnel, or by the scenic Port Hills route via the seaside suburb of Sumner. (The road from Sumner over Evans Pass to Lyttelton is closed because of earthquake damage; the epicenter of the 2011 earthquake was close to the surface here.) Although only 15 km (9 mi) from the central city, Lyttelton feels like another world entirely, with its cafes, bars, shops and locals, its ever-busy port, its stunning hilly backdrop and beautiful harbour. But because of the 2011 earthquake damage, Lyttelton is no longer the port of call for cruise ships visiting Christchurch; it has been shifted to Akaroa.
• Banks Peninsula is on the edge of the city, and offers a quieter beauty than the Alps, but quite lovely. At its southern end of the peninsula is Akaroa – beautiful, quaint and packed with good eateries. Try out the "Swim with the Dolphins in the sea" trip.

Further afield

• Arthur's Pass National Park for a bush getaway, a fantastic train journey and on to the West Coast, containing the Glacier Region, Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks), Greymouth and Hokitika with its Wild Foods Festival
• Hanmer Springs to soak in the hot pools and then via the Lewis Pass to Nelson for sun, wine, art and the beaches of the Abel Tasman NP
• Kaikoura for crayfish and whale watching, on the way visiting Waipara, the newest wine region
• Timaru and on to Otago
• Queenstown for high-octane pre-packaged adventure tourism and stunning scenery