Punting on
Avon River
Delight yourself to the sophisticated luxury of the English Oxbridge,
where cotton-shirted, straw-hat-wearing punters glide passengers across the
majestic gardens of the riverbanks. This is indisputably the best way to
experience the green strands and unequalled parkland attractiveness of downtown
Christchurch, where a blooming kaleidoscope of colors bursts in the spring, the
dropping branches of the regal weeping willows hang into the water, and the
attractive stone bridges of the Avon above.
Punting trips in Christchurch leave from both the
Antigua Boat Sheds on Cambridge Terrace and Worcester Bridge in the city each
day of the year. One itinerary around the Avon takes around half an hour, and
boats are suitable for groups of up to 10.
Christchurch Gondola
If you’re fascinated in
travelling to the roof of
the city, take bus 28 from the central City Exchange. The gondola is accessible
10.00 am - 5.00 pm daily, costs $25 for a return trip, and has split ticket
deals for families, bike carriers and children.
Fly high overhead the Christchurch cityscape,
beyond the birds and clouds, on this iconic ‘must do’ journey that brings
visitors just under a kilometre from the centre, to the panoramic peak of the
close to Port Hills.
Here guests appreciate unrivalled 360s of the
Southern Alps, central Christchurch, the Pacific Ocean and the quaint harbour
town of Lyttleton, cushioned tidily behind the crater rim. No one ever had
complaints regarding it beauty. There’s also a possibility to travel around the
metamorphic early stages of South Island’s unique volcanic topography, with a
journey to the immersive Time Tunnel display that can be noticed on top.
Orana
Wildlife Park
Orana Park is simply accessible just 15 minutes’
drive out of central Christchurch on the McLeans Island Road. Ticket prices
differ between $9 for children and $25 for adults, and the park is open 10.00am
- 5.00pm daily. Reviews say money is all worth it!
Educational, immersive and hands-on Orana Wildlife
Park has been one of the main ‘must dos’ of Christchurch. It is home to below
400 individual species from right through the globe, from the colossal white
rhinoceros of Africa to the indefinable Sumatran tiger of the Indonesian isles,
whereas guests can also get up-close-and-personal with some of New Zealand’s
own most iconic beasts; the skink; green geckos, and the iconic kiwi bird as
examples.
Air Force
Museum
Take a trip into the honored and admired past of New Zealand’s Air
Force at this extensive collection of historical aircrafts and aviation-related
artifacts. Warning! Ensure not to skip a ride on the fighter jet simulator, or
the Horizon to Horizon gallery, which pays homage to the nation’s wartime
courage in the skies. If you’re fortunate enough to stay on a weekend, sign up
for the exclusive Air Force Adventure Tour, and feel all the hidden gems of the
museum’s exhibitions.
One of the grand bonuses about Christchurch’s Air
Force Museum is that overall entry is free, whereas the above stated organized
tours price between $8 and $10. To get here, lead on the way to the district of
Hornby on the Main South Road, turning off at Harvard Avenue and Symes.
Botanic
Gardens
Not only Hawaii or Bali and Jakarta Indonesia can make you feel the
tropic vibe. Surrounded by the lovely Avon River, these ever-growing botanical
gardens have ornamented the center of Christchurch for over 100 years, creating
them an absolute must on any tourist trail across the town. Amongst the
seasons, the parkland oscillates from the blooming colors of spring and the
attractive white hues of the South Island winter, and guests are requested to
add to their trip with a self-guided tour book that’s existing to download
online.
So, whether you chose to flounder away daily during
your stay twisting on a bet down the handsome Avon waterway, or going high to
the dramatic Port Hills ridges only outside of town, visitors equipped with
these top tips on Christchurch will be well listed to your musts that the city
has to offer, you are sure of no complaints after each trip.