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Dunedin

city in New Zealand's South Island

299km

-45.87423170.50361

Queenstown (New Zealand)

city the Otage Region on the South Island in New Zealand

456km

-45.031111168.6625
Sights (11)

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

30 hectares of exotic and indigenous plants and trees wrapped in a loop of the picturesque Avon River and linking to the 160-hectare Hagley Park. These put the "Garden" in the "Garden City", and the combined total with Hagley Park makes them the second largest inner city park in the world (after New York's Central Park). A new visitor centre and cafe opened in 2014.

111m

-43.53172.62

Christ's College, Christchurch

80-minute tours of the independent (fee-paying) boarding school. The school was established in 1850 and follows the English public school model. The school has about 650 boys who wear a black and white striped blazer. Tour tickets can be bought from the i-Site.

537m

-43.52972222172.62583333

Canterbury Museum, Christchurch

Includes colonial, Māori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. Admission free to main exhibits (but donation appreciated), $2 for Discovery children's section.

682m

-43.5309172.6271

Christchurch Arts Centre

Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. This area was damaged during the 22 Feb 2011 earthquake. While reconstruction work is taking place some of these buildings are closed to the general public. However, the beauty and historical significance of these building can still be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Blvd and Hereford St, and the excellent Canterbury Cheesemongers still operates from a modern building within its precincts. As of December 2018, the I-Site, a commercial gallery and the Great Hall (and the courtyard outside) are open. Rutherford's Den ($20 admission), an exhibition on physics, is open.

813m

-43.53148056172.62823333

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

Dedicated to those who died or were injured in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. It is beside the Avon River, immediately downstream from Montreal St and upstream from Rhododendron Island in the Avon.

1.2km

-43.53455172.63149

Church of St Michael and All Angels, Christchurch

This wooden Anglican church dating from 1872 suffered only minor quake damage (it was closed for three months). It has an unusual separate bell tower.

1.4km

-43.53444444172.63305556

ChristChurch Cathedral

church in Christchurch Central City, New Zealand

1.8km

-43.531172.637

Riccarton, New Zealand

The last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. The circular track passes under tall kahikatea trees, and there is a diversity of small trees, shrubs, climbers and ferns. Christchurch's oldest house, Dean's Cottage (built 1843), is adjacent. Five minutes drive from central city and easily accessible by bus.

2.6km

-43.52998172.59744

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch

The Roman Catholic cathedral, which partly collapsed in the quake. It may eventually be partially rebuilt. View it from the outside.

2.9km

-43.5383172.646

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Opened in 1987 before the closure of the Christchurch RNZAF base, this museum has full-size replicas of fighting planes and dramatizes the history of New Zealand's Air Force from World War I to Vietnam and beyond.

8.3km

-43.547259172.547589

Kaikoura

town and territorial authority in New Zealand's South Island

149km

-42.4173.68
Nature

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Christchurch

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Someday we will visit Christchurch or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the third most-populous urban area in the country. As well as having the most attractions of any place in the South Island, it's the major international entry point for visiting the rest of the island. It is on the east coast of the South Island, and is the centre of the Canterbury region.

Christchurch is a distinctly English city, however it contains various European elements, with strong Gothic Revival architecture. As early settlers of New Zealand, Māori culture is also prevalent in the city. It features many public open spaces and parks, river beds and cafés and restaurants situated in the city centre and surrounding suburbs.

Christchurch lies in Canterbury, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers. To the south and south-east the urban portion of the city is limited by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills separating it from Banks Peninsula. To the north the city is bounded by the braided Waimakariri River.

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Source: Wikimedia commons
Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

22°C12
Precipitation: 44 mm

Feb

22°C12
Precipitation: 44 mm

Mar

20°C10
Precipitation: 53 mm

Apr

17°C7
Precipitation: 53 mm

May

14°C4
Precipitation: 63 mm

Jun

11°C1
Precipitation: 58 mm

Jul

11°C1
Precipitation: 62 mm

Aug

12°C2
Precipitation: 58 mm

Sep

15°C4
Precipitation: 42 mm

Oct

17°C6
Precipitation: 48 mm

Nov

19°C8
Precipitation: 48 mm

Dec

21°C11
Precipitation: 50 mm
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