Destination:
Christchurch

*On February 21st, Christchurch was hit by its second major earthquake within five months. The quake was centralised in the middle of the city, and serious damage was done to many buildings. The city has since reopened the Air Force Museum, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Tranz Alpine train service, and the Chateau on the Park Hotel, however there are still intermittant aftershocks as of June 2011. It is still advised to check with your travel agent or tour operator before travelling to Christchurch, however. The city will no longer be hosting any Rugby World Cup matches in 2011.

The largest city on South Island, Christchurch is the most English of New Zealand's cities, named after an Oxford college. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an English university town, with school boys in striped blazers and punting on the River Avon, a grand Anglican cathedral dominating the central square, little stone-walled bridges, elegant Victorian architecture and numerous parks and exquisite gardens.

Dubbed the 'Garden City', it is the lively capital of the Canterbury region, priding itself on its green areas, arts and history as well as its sports. The surrounds offer beach suburbs, protected bays and dolphin swimming, green valleys and snow-capped mountain ranges for skiing, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. The city itself has a relaxed and cosmopolitan centre with historic trams rattling along the streets of the bustling downtown area, a lively pub and restaurant scene, theatres, street buskers, museums and art galleries.

Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and offers the visitor an appealing mixture of historic charm and vibrant city life, a pleasing balance between urban pursuits and outdoor activities. With the least rainfall of any of the other cities and plenty of sunshine it is a perfect base for a Canterbury experience.