About Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island’s biggest city, with a population of around 380,000. It was originally named after Christ Church in Oxford University, and the historical buildings and winding Avon River carry an often-described English atmosphere.
It is also known as The Garden City, and for good reason. At 165 hectares, Hagley Park is the largest urban open space and beside it sits The Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863 and still a popular attraction for many visitors.
Christchurch attracts people from all corners of the world to live, work and visit. This can be attributed to its ideal situation on the east coast. There are few places in the world where you can find an international airport within two hours of world class skiing, vineyards, mountain biking, bungy jumping, surfing and whale watching. And that’s not to mention many a spectacular view.
The city is also the gateway to the Antarctic, and to New Zealand’s South Island, where the main attractions include Queenstown, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, the Nelson region and Milford Sound.
The earthquake which hit Christchurch on February 22nd should not stop people from holidaying in Canterbury and the South Island.
Part of the central city of Christchurch is still cordoned off to the general public to ensure people’s safety while safety checks and the clearing of damaged areas takes place. This cordon is gradually receding as more of the city is deemed safe and open for business. It is likely however, that some isolated parts of the city will remain behind cordons for some time while rebuilding takes place.
Christchurch remains the gateway to the amazing experiences that are on offer in the Canterbury region and the wider South Island.