Many travellers take cheap flights to Christchurch as a starting point for travelling around the South Island, and sometimes beyond - flights to the Antarctic take a mere six hours - but the Garden City is a wonderful destination in its own right.
Established in 1850 by English settlers, Christchurch has a very "English" feel. The focal point of the city is a very fine Anglican cathedral, much of the architecture is Victorian and the river is called the Avon, which you can punt along, gliding under the quaint bridges and pretend you are an aristocrat at play. The founding fathers showed great vision in laying out the city. There is Victoria Square and the four inner-city avenues, the lush and verdant 161- hectare Hagley Park, the much-lauded Botanic Gardens, Riccarton Park and Mona Vale, which is on the banks of the Avon.
Nowhere else in New Zealand hosts as many festivals as Christchurch. Their events calendar is legendary. Starting with Summertimes, which takes place in Hagley Park from December to late January, through the World Buskers Festival (January), Christchurch Arts Festival (July/August), Carnival Week (November) and winding up with Carols by Candlelight, a Victoria Square tradition on Christmas Eve.
