Christchurch is often recognised as the most English of New Zealand cities.
The streets bear mainly English names and there’s a square lorded over by a cathedral of neogothic design right in the heart of the city. This is Cathedral Square, and you can start your Christchurch tour from here.
A river snakes through town and the parks on the river banks make you think of some placid English countryside.
Life is quite laid back and there’s not the rush-rush-rush of more commercialised or more industrialised cities.
Statues and monuments
Take your time in Cathedral Square which is a focal point of the city. The Christchurch banks (for that emergency withdrawal or to exchange traveler's cheques) are close by and, for dining, there is a variety of restaurants to walk to.
By the cathedral is a Christchurch monument to those who served and died in World War I. There is a statue as well of John Robert Godley, founder of the Canterbury region.
Browse through the Cathedral Square shops, if you will, or take the tram on the city loop and see Christchurch gliding by.
Gardens and museum
Christchurch Botanic Gardens are pleasurable to visit and the city loop tram stops close to its entrance gates near the Christchurch Arts Centre.
Fountains and gardens are a pleasant prelude to visiting the Canterbury Museum. The Robert McDougall Art Gallery, which was located on the grounds of the botanic gardens, has since closed. (It has reopened on the corner of Worcester Blvd and Montreal St as the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu.)
Across the road from the gardens is the arts centre which houses arts and crafts shops as well as restaurants.
Entry to the Canterbury Museum is free. If you feel like making a small donation, there should be a donation box near the entrance.
Mall and park
Going back to the heart of the city by tram, you might want to stop at the New Regent St Mall for a light lunch or to browse through its shops.
From there, it’s a short stroll to the city’s main street, Colombo St.
You may want to walk to Victoria Square by the Avon River, cross Victoria Bridge or walk along the river bank to view the poupou honoring the Maori.
Be sure to check out the city’s other attractions according to your interests. There should be stacks of material in the many visitor centres on other interesting places to visit.
