Christchurch is New Zealand's "Garden City", famed for its beautiful gardens, leafy avenues and the 156-hectare Botanical Gardens. The first inhabitants of Christchurch were the Maori, who settled here around a millennium ago. The first European settlers landed at the "Banks Island" Peninsula in 1815, and gradually Christchurch and the surrounding areas in Canterbury. This cosmopolitan city has always been two steps ahead of its time. Indeed, it achieved a milestone in women's empowerment in 1893 when Christchurch became the first town that allowed women to vote.
Christchurch is situated on the ocean shores, and has no dearth of beaches, bays and rocky coasts. The bays provide visitors the opportunity for boating. Trekkers can indulge in a good stroll to the French style vineyards in the surrounding vineyards. You can also participate in the dozen or so art and culture festivals Christchurch celebrated all year round. The Showtime Canterbury is celebrated by the farmers in the area, and features horse races and many sports competitions. The summertime sees the Festival of Flowers and Romance, featuring flower shows, parades and dances.
The Hagley Park, popularly called Botanical Gardens, the Victoria Park, the Bottleneck Forest Park and the Halswell Quarry are also tourist hotspots because of their verdant forests and lush natural beauty. Visit the Canterbury Museum of Natural History and the Ferrymead Heritage Park if you are a history and culture enthusiast.
A climb to the summit of Christchurch volcano on the Gondola will provide you a bird's eye view of Christchurch and surrounding area. You can avail the ski facility at the Alpine Ice Skiing Center, or go scuba diving off Lyttelton Harbor, where you can see many of the rare marine fauna of New Zealand.
With so many attractions, it is easy to see why Christchurch is a must on the itinerary of every visitor to New Zealand.
