4 minute read
Maximise your Christchurch visit
THE ART CENTRE
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is a cultural treasure held in trust for Christchurch residents and visitors. Its mission is to foster interest and involvement in art, culture, creativity, the creative industries and education. Combined with the country’s largest collection of heritage buildings, more than two-thirds of the site is open to the public (the rest is under restoration). Explore Rutherford’s Den, art galleries, boutique retailers, cafés, wine bar and cinemas. Every Sunday local artisans sell crafts and edibles at the mākete.
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TOP TIP: The four-bedroom Creative Residence is available for hire when the centre is not hosting creatives from out of town.
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
ORANA WILDLIFE PARK - Visitors here get to see New Zealand’s only gorillas, hand-feed majestic giraffe, meet mighty rhino up close, travel through the Lion Habitat, observe shy kiwi and encounter mischievous kea. There are scheduled daily presentations, a Safari Shuttle, a guided walkabout, adventure playground and a 50-metre flying fox. And don't forget the gift shop! Park staff are proud to contribute to the release recovery programmes for threatened native wildlife and by visiting the zoo you are directly supporting this conservation work.
WILLOWBANK WILDLIFE RESERVE - There are more than 100 animal and bird species – including tuatara, otters, gibbons, wallabies and farmyard animals – that can be viewed while taking a pleasant stroll in a tranquil setting. Willowbank is the only place with the ‘Big 5’ – the cheeky kea, the very rare takahē, New Zealand’s bush parrot, the ancient tuatara and, of course, the fluffy kiwi.
Tiger, Orana Wildlife Park
Orana Wildlife Park
Gardens you'll go gaga for
They're not joking, this really is The Garden City. And it was awarded as much. In 1997 the South Island’s largest city was ceremoniously crowned the Garden City of the World in an international competition. This is what clinched the deal…
Covering 165ha, Hagley Park is just minutes from the CBD and is often used for events such as Christmas In The Park and sports games in the international standard Hagley Oval. Adjacent to this green mecca is Milbrook Reserve. Formerly part of architect Heathcote Helmore’s estate, it is lesser known than its neighbour but offers a quiet pocket of riverside and landscaped garden, much liked by the locals. The Botanic Gardens have an impressive collection of horticulture from all over the world scattered across its 21ha oasis. Sit beside a beautiful lake watching the ducks, absorb the colours or pace the pathways. The Visitor Centre is an incredibly beautiful, architecturally-designed building with a function space and dedicated gallery with displays exploring Christchurch’s world of plants. There’s also a great café and gift shop.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens © Getty Images
September is an ideal month for catching the Japanese Cherry Blossoms. Top spots include the botanic gardens as well as the trees lining Harper Ave, north of Hagley Park.
Cherry blossom © Getty Images
International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch is only 3825km from Antarctica, making the city the world’s gateway to the ice – but this attraction will have you thinking you’re right there, with interactive Antarctic adventures and fun learning experiences for visitors of all ages. Experience the dramatic seasonal lighting in the Four Seasons of Antarctica show where it snows every six minutes. Play in real snow and ice, survive an Antarctic storm, learn about modern day Antarctica, and hang out with cute little blue penguins! Buckle up for the exciting Hägglund ride, take a simulated 4D Antarctic cruise with awesome scenery and wildlife, boogie down with Mumble in Happy Feet in 4D and see an Antarctic movie on a MASSIVE screen, plus more. It’s possibly the closest you’ll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition – but it’s warmer. This attraction is air-conditioned and warm jackets are provided for the snow and ice.
POP TO PORT HILLS
Once you’ve absorbed every last drop of Christchurch, swap your shopping bags for a day pack and head out to Port Hills (Te Poho o Tamatea). This raw strip of land is the result of the Lyttelton volcano 12 million years ago, and just a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Explore Halswell Quarry, with its historic sites and six sister-city gardens, discover the WWII military remnants at Godley Head, rock climb at the top of Rapaki Track and enjoy the views along the Bridle Path.
Walking in the Port Hills, Christchurch
Julian Apse
LOVELY LYTTELTON
Don’t get us wrong, the coffee in Christchurch is as top-level as you’d expect in any latte-loving city, but there’s something about taking the 20-minute drive to Lyttelton and nipping into a café in this cool, bohemian corner of the globe that really inspires. It’s both artsy and community spirited.
Slinking down from Port Hills, this bubbly port town has it all. Sheltered summertime swimming can be sought at Corsair Bay and there’s a weekly Saturday morning farmers’ market where a yarn with the vendors comes as easily as it does with your friends.
Catch the ferry from the jetty to Quail Island. It's an idyllic motu for a picnic and multiple dips in the sea. Further along Lyttelton Harbour is Governors Bay, a thriving community, or if one ferry journey doesn’t suffice, return to the jetty for another cruise to Diamond Bay. The art galleries sparkle and the water dazzles: that's how the bay got its name.
