Christchurch
New Zealand
Backpacking Christchurch
Information on Christchurch, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Christchurch is described as many things: the Garden City, the most English city out of England (look at the street names), but now more commonly it has become the Earthquake City. The city has become a place of intrigue for those wanting to see how the 2010/2011 earthquakes impacted the city. The arts have been kept alive in Christchurch by the reopening of The Court Theatre. Throughout the bars in Christchurch, there are often local live acts and comedy nights. Lastly, when walking in the city center it doesn’t take long to spot huge street art amongst the construction works. Artists have used abandoned building walls as their canvas to create a contrast of colorful and grungy artwork. Christchurch is also home to a beautiful Botanic Gardens. Although a lot of New Zealand cities have botanic gardens, nothing compares to this vast area of different themes. It is apparent that Christchurch’s garden is on a different level. Other outdoor activates are not too far to reach either. 15 minutes away from the center is the Christchurch Gondola going up the Port Hills. This is perfect for views of the city, Canterbury Plains and all the way to the Southern Alps. There are a number of walking and mountains bike tracks from the top. You can mount your mountain bike on the Gondola for a day of downhill thrills. If you’re a fan of nature, you can see five of New Zealand’s much-loved native wildlife: the kiwi, kea, takahe, kaka and tuatara at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Buses run from the city center and take 15 minutes. When summer comes, it’s easy to be drawn to the sandy beaches on Christchurch’s coast. Sumner Beach is great for a swim, surf and windsurf. Don’t forget to check out the cave on Sumner Beach. New Brighton has always been a favorite for shopping, swimming and surfing. A visit isn’t complete until you walk the New Brighton Pier.
Must See
The Botanic Gardens - The Botanic Gardens are over 150 years old and consists of 21 hectares. There are ten gardens in all, many of which contain rare and exotic plant species from all over the world. In addition to its vast collection of plants, the Botanic Gardens also provide fantastic bird watching opportunities, especially during the spring.
Mount Cavendish - The Christchurch Gondola is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The gondola is 1000 meters long and takes you to the summit of Mount Cavendish. Along the way, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of Christchurch and the Southern Alps. The gondola is also a great way to reach some of Christchurch’s best hiking trails.
Must Do
Hike at Godley Head - There are many great hiking trails in Christchurch, but none are quite as spectacular as the one you’ll find at Godley Head. Not only does it do a great job of showcasing New Zealand’s natural beauty, but it also has a lot of history behind it. It once served as a coastal defense during WW2, which will certainly be of interest to any history buffs out there. This trail starts at Taylors Mistake Beach, which is an excellent attraction in itself. During your hike, you’re likely to see some wildlife during the hike, including penguins, dolphins, or even whales.
Hang at Sumner Beach - Sumner Beach is practically an icon among Christchurch locals, who like to spend the summer days basking at its beauty as they soak up sunshine. The beach lies some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southwest of the city, stretching to Cave Rock (which is best viewed at low tide) as well as Scarborough and Taylor’s Mistake beaches.
Nightlife
Christchurch is known for being one hell of an artsy city. The cultural hub of the South Island certainly comes alive at night with a vibrant nightlife full of entertainment. It’s an exciting time for the night scene in Christchurch at the moment with many new bars and clubs popping up across the city post-earthquakes. Along the Avon River on a section known as The Terraces is where the fresh and contemporary nightlife in Christchurch is located. If you dig multi-cultural vibes and themed bars then Christchurch is your place with Japanese to Mexican to Irish bars.
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