Local Information
The Garden City of Christchurch is the hub of the South Island combining the history of the English and Scottish forebears with a vibrant cultural and cosmopolitan flavour. Home to more than 300,000 people, Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand and is world-renowned for the beautiful parks and gardens that grace the city's landscape.
The inner city centre boasts many activities and sights to see. In Cathedral Square, you will find an Anglican cathedral, often surrounded by buskers and street stalls. Close by are a number of retail shops in the Cashel Mall including historic department store Ballantynes. The city also boasts a fully restored Victorian electric tram with a loop that passes many of the sights and is well worth the time to travel.
The Avon River meanders through the inner-city landscape with restaurants and bars overlooking its banks. Punting on the river is a popular inner-city activity, as is simply sitting back and relaxing with a picnic hamper in the botanic gardens, visiting the Arts Centre or taking in some history at the Canterbury Museum.
During the winter there are great ski fields within 1-2 hours drive. Porter Heights is just 90 kilometres from Christchurch airport and approximately one hour's drive from the Garden City, making it the closest ski area to Christchurch
