Christchurch City Guide

• International Antarctic Centre
  Not far from the airport, this award-winning centre focuses on the Antarctic, with hands on exhibits, a Hagglund Antarctic snowmobile ride, an aquarium and audiovisual displays.
• Canterbury Museum
  At the Eastern edge of Hagley Park, this excellent regional museum contains exhibitions of early Antarctic relics, a Maori gallery, a pioneer street, period furniture and a rooftop planetarium.
• The Christchurch Art Gallery
  An extensive collection spans more than 1000 items from classical Greek and Roman periods through to the present day, including two pieces by French sculptor Rodin.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
  Located on Hussey Road in Christchurch, the reserve has an extensive selection of native wildlife and a large kiwi house.
• Christchurch Casino
  New Zealand's first casino, located on Victoria Street, offers a selection of gaming options, bars and dining at the Grand Café restaurant.
• Orana Wildlife Park
  New Zealand's only open-range zoo specialises in endangered New Zealand and African animals, with a walk-through aviary and nocturnal kiwi house. Located on McLeans Island Rd, Harewood.
• Air Force World
  Located at nearby Wigram, the complex showcases planes and Air Force memorabilia at the country's first airbase.
• Ferrymead Heritage Park
  Southeast of the city, this working transport museum showcases locomotives, cars, machinery and appliances.
• Hagley Park
  The city's largest park (200ha) contains cycling and walking tracks, sports grounds, a golf course and, within its central reaches, the 30ha Christchurch Botanic Gardens. A pleasant diversion is to hire a punt at the old Antigua Boatsheds on Rolleston Avenue and view the park from the Avon River.
• Christchurch Botanic Gardens
  These beautiful gardens contain some lovely walks past award-winning flowers and plants.
• Punting on the River Avon
  The river meanders from the suburb of Avonhead through the inner city, providing good views of Hagley Park from the water. Punts and canoes are available for hire at the old Antigua Boatshed, built in 1882.
• Cycling
  Cycling trails are located within Hagley Park, the city's largest reserve (200 hectares). Visitors can hire a cycle at City Cycle Hire (73 Wrights Road, Addington).
• Flightseeing
A number of operators provide flights over the city and the magnificent alpine country nearby. Tour options include:
• Up, Up and Away Ballooning
  Balloon flights over Christchurch and the environs
• Mount Cook Ski Planes and The Helicopter Line
  Great Sights - half and full day tours, with coach and aircraft options available.

Christchurch city’s parks and gardens offer an easy stroll on the flat, or hike the scenic hill climbs and the half and full day hikes slightly furter afield.

Strolls

Hagley Park

If you haven’t seen Hagley Park, you haven’t seen Christchurch. This sprawling central park can be accessed from several entrances but most commonly Rolleston Avenue and Armagh Street. Springtime is spectacular with fields of daffodils. Avenues of mature trees, shrubs and flowers meander alongside the Avon River. Tree-shaded pathways lead past the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, a large ornate fountain, sports fields and an excellent children’s playground. Summer often sees the park hosting free outdoor entertainment. On the Avon, you can feed the ducks or drift slowly along in a hired punt and spot the trout as you enjoy the park at water level.

Full Day

Oxford Forest

About an hour north of Christchurch are a variety of walking tracks and picnic areas. One of the most popular tracks is the Wharfedale. Another, the Ryde Falls Walks, is a relatively easy round trip from the View Hill carpark. The bush is a lush mix of rimu, matai and kahikatea (red pine, black pine and white pine).

Multi Day

Banks Peninsula Track

This is a popular track across farmland, reserve, native forest and spectacular volcanic coastline starting from Akaroa. It is renowned for its charming accommodation, including a bath under the stars.

Internationally recognised for its award-winning gardens, elegant and sophisticated Christchurch is surrounded by a breathtaking backyard, including the vast Canterbury plains and dramatic Southern Alps, the extinct volcanoes of Banks Peninsula, stunning coastline and fresh snow-fed rivers.

Known as The Garden City, Christchurch certainly lives up to its name, with gorgeous parks and gardens right in the city centre. Discover the cycle and walking trails in tranquil Hagley Park or take a stroll in the Botanic Gardens and enjoy the beautiful blooms. A punt ride down the Avon River is the perfect way to experience the city’s beauty, as you glide beneath the weeping willows.

Roadtrip Routes

• Christchurch to Christchurch via Greymouth
• Christchurch to Christchurch via Queenstown
• Nelson to Christchurch

2. Easy Access
As the major airport access for New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch International Airport is gateway for a number of airlines flying direct services from Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands with connections from cities worldwide. Australia is only three hours by air from Christchurch with direct daily trans-Tasman flights provided Air New Zealand, Qantas, Emirates, Jetstar, Virgin Pacific Blue and Singapore Airlines.

3. Sophisticated City
A quick 15 minutes from the international airport, Christchurch is a relaxed and friendly city, offering a great variety when it comes to culture, food, shopping and entertainment. A lively café scene and world-class restaurants are matched by a thriving creative scene, and the city has its own stunning modern art gallery, professional theatre company, symphony orchestra and opera.

4. High-quality Accommodation
There are over 2500 quality hotels rooms close to the many restaurants, shops, nightlife and cultural attractions. Within minutes of the city are diverse resort and lodge options offering acres of activity and relaxation space.

5. Team Building Activities
Within the city, you can make the most of magnificent Hagley Park - 161 hectares of greenery with tree-lined walkways, lakes, Christchurch Botanical Gardens, a golf course and playing fields. Meandering through the park and city is the enchanting Avon River, ideal for a punting adventure. Just beyond the city, the beautiful South Island and Canterbury environment offers a wealth of possibilities. Dolphin cruises, albatross & dolphin encounter, ballooning, horse trekking, aerial obstacle courses, whale watching, wildlife & Maori cultural performance, Airforce Museum, golfing, and relaxing at an alpine spa are among a range of options for team activities.

6. Unique Dining
Christchurch offers an astounding array of dining venues for private and corporate events. Choose one of the many reputable international restaurants, historic pubs and casual bars or opt for something a little different – an historic home, heritage village,  harbour cruise, theatre, winery, art gallery, or lawn marquee. Or simply transform a hotel function room with the flair of local theming companies. The fertile Canterbury plains and clean ocean waters are the source of superb local produce. Waipara wines, famous Canterbury lamb, Akaroa salmon and Kaikoura crayfish are all on the menu at a host of the city’s award-winning restaurants and dining venues.

7. World-class Facilities
Meeting venues vary from golf resorts like Clearwater, thermal spa hotels and high country retreats to university campuses. There is also a strong network of support service providers, audio-visual experts and quality local entertainment.

8. Cost-effective
Accommodation, food and transport are all good value for international visitors, and the city’s world-class facilities are competitively priced on the domestic market as well.

9. Safe and Sustainable
New Zealand has been voted number two in the world and number one in Asia Pacific as most peaceful and safe country in the 2007 Global Peace Index. As a carbon-neutral organisation, Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism is committed to assisting conference organisers in managing carbon-neutral events.

10. Free Professional Assistance
The professional team at Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau offers a wide range of free resources and free planning advice. This includes an informative website and the latest Meeting and Incentive Planner: a comprehensive directory of the region’s capabilities including programme enhancers, venues, accommodation, dining, entertainment, activities, tours and transport. Seed funding and event loan options are also available in Christchurch, through Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau.

Accommodation suitable for conference attendees
Athena Motel
Bellagio Motel Suites
Elms Hotel
Fyffe On Riccarton Motor Lodge
Lorenzo Motor Lodge
Milano Motor Lodge
Riccarton Mall & Deans Bush Motel
Roma on Riccarton

Useful Information

• Order your free copy of Jasons NZ Business Traveller Accommodation Directory
• Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau