Christchurch

Nestled at the base of the hilly Banks Peninsula, New Zealand's third largest city faces inland toward a broad panorama the flat Canterbury Plains backed by the snowy Southern Alps. South Island's largest city, Christchurch is the busy yet relaxed capital of the province of Canterbury.

Though known for its peaceful ambience and unhurried pace, Christchurch is a city that gets things done. It has one of the country's busiest and most modern airports, a handsome town hall bordering the Avon River, and an outstanding sports complex developed for the 1974 Commonwealth Games. A new shopping mall on Cashel and High streets attracts downtown shoppers.

The Canterbury settlement was the last and most successful of the mid 19th century colonizing ventures. Four shiploads of hand picked English colonists arrived at Lyttelton in 1850 and made a historic trek across the Port Hills to found Christchurch. Surveyors laid out the town in a grid pattern, its dignified order broken only by the serpentine course of the Avon River.

Enjoying Christchurch

Occupying a spacious square in the heart of the city is Christchurch Cathedral, a reminder of the important role the Church of England played in the settlement of Canterbury. Major arteries radiate from Cathedral Square.

Often called "New Zealand's most English city," Christchurch retains many features established by its Anglican settlers. Shaded by overhanging trees, the Avon River meanders through the city, adding a note of gracious, old world charm. Still in daily use are many stately Gothic buildings, constructed by early civic leaders to house the settlement's religious, educational, governmental, and cultural institutions.

Parks soften the city's rectangular layout, and home gardens blaze with color from spring through autumn. You'll probably see uniformed students cycling along city streets or waiting for city buses. A special Christchurch touch: baby strollers hook a ride on the front of the buses, a convenience reflecting the city's relaxed pace.

Shopping. Christchurch's main shopping district clusters around Cathedral Square. Nearby shopping arcades such as Chancery Lane and New Regent Street offer shops and a relaxed atmosphere. A two story shopping center links Hereford and Cashel streets near High Street, and a pedestrian mall the Triangle Centre connects High and Cashel streets.

Shops are generally open from 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.m. on weekdays and until 9 on Friday evening. The city mall and most suburban malls are also open on Saturday morning but closed on Sunday. In Riccarton, stores stay open late on Thursday night. New Brighton shops are closed on Monday; on Saturday they're open until 9 P.m.

Entertainment. Most ballet and theater performances, concerts, and touring shows take place at the city's handsome Town Hall. Plays are presented in the Court Theatre at the Arts Centre of Christchurch.

Major hotels and many restaurants offer live entertainment and dancing in the evening, particularly on Friday and Saturday. If you'd like to meet a local family, you can make arrangements through the Information Centre or the Government Tourist Bureau.

Sports and special events.In the Christchurch area, you can play golf, go river or surf fishing, and ski from May through November at Mount Hutt.

You can see some of the country's top horses in action here at two of the country's finest tracks. Light hamess racing (trotting) takes place at Addington Raceway; racing and steeplechase events are held at Riccarton Racecourse. Racing events highlight November's Carnival Week celebration. Premier classic on the racing calendar is the New Zealand Cup; the companion New Zealand Trotting Cup race takes place at Addington. The Canterbury Agricultural & Pastoral Show is also held during Carnival Week.

Getting there Passengers arriving by plane disembark at Christchurch International Airport, only 10 km/7 miles northwest of Cathedral Square.

Travelers who have made the interisland ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton continue by rail south to Christchurch. Other trains link Dunedin and Invercargill in the south and Greymouth on the west coast with Christchurch. The railway station is on Moorhouse Avenue.

Long distance buses of Railways Road Services, Mount Cook Line, Newmans Coach Lines, and Midland Coachlines connect all areas of the island with Christchurch. Cruise liners anchor at Lyttelton, south of Christchurch.

Accommodations.

Christchurch has dozens of hotels and motels, located in the central business district, in the suburbs, and near the airport.

Major downtown hotels include the high rise Noah's Hotel and the older Clarendon Hotel (both overlooking the Avon River a block from Cathedral Square), and the Hyatt Kingsgate, on Colombo Street facing Victoria Square. Among the smaller downtown hotels are the refurbished 1884 United Service Hotel, facing Cathedral Square, and Coker's Hotel on Manchester Street. For a centrally located motor hotel, try the Avon Motor Lodge, Latimer Motor Lodge, or Avon Park Hotel, among others.

Hotel Russley. Among other leading hotels are the Chateau Regency on Deans Avenue, Shirley Lodge Motor Hotel on Marshland Road, Canterbury Inn in Riccarton, DB Redwood Court Hotel on Main North Road, Autolodge on Papanui Road, and Gainsborough Motor Lodge on Bealey Avenue.

Restaurants. In Christchurch and its surroundings, you can choose from restaurants offering continental dining, ethnic specialties, home style cooking, or grilled meat and seafood specialties. Dinner reservations are advisable at leading restaurants, especially on weekends.

Getting around. Taxis are available at Cathedral Square and at all transportation terminals. Bright red city buses depart from Cathedral Square for city and suburban points; for route information, inquire at the kiosk in front of the cathedral.

Several companies operate half day and full day sightseeing tours. Some depart daily the year around; others are scheduled only on certain days or during the main October to April tourist period. Tours feature Christchurch attractions, the Port Hills and Lyttelton, Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula , Erewhon Park , and other destinations.

Tourist information. For city maps, local sightseeing tours, and information on points of interest in the Christchurch area, stop at the Canterbury Information Centre, 75 Worcester Street (comer of Oxford Terrace).

Travel arrangements, tour information, and accommodation reservations are handled by the Government Tourist Bureau, located in the Government Life Building facing Cathedral Square. For motoring information, visit the Automobile Association office, 210 Hereford Street.