Christchurch

A fascinating mix of historic charm and exciting city life. The City charm will leave you thoroughly enchanted.

Christchurch City, the largest city in the South Island and the second largest city in New Zealand, is the gateway to the stunning Canterbury region and a great starting point to any journey around the South Island.

The city is home to some world-class attractions such as: The Antarctic Centre, Willow Bank Wildlife Park and the new, world class Christchurch Art Gallery.

Things To Do:

Christchurch City Sights: What better way to enjoy the Garden City. Take a half day tour that will take in such sites as the Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale plus many other sites that will have you falling in love with New Zealand's most English city.

Hot Air Ballooning: No other location in the world offers a more breathtaking array of views with a single balloon trip. From the sun rising out of the Pacific Ocean through to the snow capped peaks in the west with the patchwork quilt that is the Canterbury Plains filling in the middle, you will never want to come down.

Alpine Train Journey: You'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. From here you are met by your driver and you can start your West Coast adventure.

Akaroa: New Zealands most French city is just over an hour drive from Christchurch. The tiny harbour township offers harbour cruises around Banks Peninsula, where you can experience penguins, dolphins, seals and a salmon farm. Site seeing around the village is a must and you can't leave without sampling some of the local cheeses and wines.

Farm visits with working sheep dogs: What better way to forget about your troubles than a visit to real working farm. You will experience the clean green Canterbury atmosphere while watching farm dogs in action, watching sheep being shorn and you can even have a go at spinning the wool.

Wine Tours: Less than an hour north of Christchurch is the Waipara Valley. This is now one of New Zealand premier wine growing regions. On the tour you will sample a wonderful range of wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay as well as superb local cusine.