Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. This is the city of exploration, and it is constantly evolving. Therefore, it gives locals and visitors something new to explore. Here, you will discover street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces. Christchurch is in fact the newest city in the world.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
The gardens have an information centre, tea kiosk, and all the basic amenities. It is popular for being home to beautiful trees like rhododendron and shrub borders. There is a long herbaceous fence, and a lovely traditional rose garden.
The Avon River
The Avon River is a special area of the region. It supports a range of plant and animal life and offers various recreational activities. You can do lots here: it is an ideal place to take a beautiful stroll. You can also witness the restoration work that took place after the Christchurch earthquakes struck. It is listed amongst the places to see in Christchurch for the scenic views. The quiet river is flanked by cool cafes and bars, and shopping spots that are the cherry on the top.
The International Antarctic Centre
This is situated close to Christchurch International Airport. And, it is an entertainment hub and major tourist attraction of the city. It supports Antarctic scientific programs. You can also chill in the Antarctic storm room or take a ride in the all-terrain vehicle tour. One can also witness huskies and blue penguins. Or, you can take a big screen ice tour in the 4D theatre. Here, one can uncover the most important collections in the world from the epic era of exploration and discovery of the Antarctic. You can get to know about the frozen continent’s courageous pioneers. Plus, you could see artefacts from the globally important Antarctic collection of the Museum.
Canterbury Museum
Here, you can witness the fascinating historical and heritage background of New Zealand. Explore unique Maori relics and more than 1,000 pāua shells encircling the walls of the popular Paua Shell House. Or, take a stroll down Christchurch Street with scenes of the developing times of the city. It’s like a tour back into history!
The Cardboard Cathedral
It is the world’s only cathedral made just from cardboard. And, it replaces the Christchurch Cathedral, which was severely affected in the Christchurch earthquake of 2011. It was designed by the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. The Cardboard Cathedral was opened to the public in August 2013. It is made from 98 similarly sized cardboard tubes and 8 steel shipping containers. Hence, it can be classified as Christchurch’s strongest, earthquake-proof structures.
Christchurch Trams
These offer a fascinating opportunity where they bring history and Christchurch sightseeing places together. The newly renovated historical trams are among the most loved destinations in the region. What’s more, they are family-friendly, and suitable for locals and tourists alike. Their all-day hop-on-hop-off passes enable you to explore the central city attractions at your pleasure. On each tram you can hear an insightful live commentary. And, their polite and helpful operators will keep you informed about all the must-visit spots.