Located on the East coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is a mandatory stop in any road trip around this isolated and unique country. It is believed that the Maori people were the first to inhabit the area some one thousand years ago. It was not until 1840 that the Europeans first settled and started operating whaling ships out of Lyttelton in the 1850s. It was during the 1850’s and 60’s that a group of English settlers first founded Christchurch, sailing in on the ‘first four ships’ to arrive in the Lyttelton Harbour. By July 31, 1856, Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter and is now known as one of New Zealand’s oldest established cities. In 1893, New Zealand women won the right to vote, resulting in Suffrage Day. September 19, 1993 marked the first Suffrage Day for New Zealand.
Today, Christchurch is known as New Zealand’s second largest city, with a population of 348,400. Located at the edge of the Canterbury Plains and stretching to the Southern Alps, Christchurch serves as a gateway to the South Island. Even though parts of the area have suffered some earthquake damage, most are still in operation. Christchurch is one of the only places in the world where you can find a world class ski resort, mountain biking, golf ranges, river rafting, windsurfing, hot air balloon rides and whale watching tours, all within a two hour drive from an international airport.
The easiest way to get around Christchurch and the South Island is to rent your own car, which you can pick up at Christchurch Airport. Don’t forget that New Zealanders drive on the opposite side of the road. This means that you change gears with your left hand. If the thought of driving a car with a manual transmission on the wrong side of the road gives you nightmares, consider renting a car with an automatic transmission. That will take at least one thing off your mind!
Christchurch has something for everyone and everything you could ever want, from parks, restaurants and markets to free Wi-Fi. If you happen to work up a sweat in the mild climate, the best way to cool off is by going to the New Brighton and Sumner beaches. If you are visiting Christchurch from the US, you will want to know that their seasons are exactly opposite from the more familiar Northern Hemisphere, with the summer beginning in December and the winter beginning in June.
Thankfully, all the towns and cities in New Zealand have excellent public water and the tap water is safe and fresh to drink. The predominant language spoken in Christchurch is English, but many also speak Maori. Christchurch is known as “The Garden City”, the name stemming from their huge, well established public gardens. Due to the foresight of the city’s founding fathers, these incredible gardens are still flourishing today. If you are visiting Christchurch, you will not want to miss going to Hagle Park, Victoria Square and the Botanical Gardens. Located on the banks of the River Avon, you will find the gardens of Mona Vale.
If you happen to be in Christchurch in February or March, make sure to catch the Festival of Flowers and the Ellerslie International Flower Show. You will be amazed at how the entire city is ablaze with color. The show date for the Ellerslie International Flower Show is March 6-10, 2013. A trip to Christchurch at any time of the year will be an incredible and amazing adventure, one which will give you memories and photographs to last you a lifetime, and keep you wanting to come back for more.
