Christchurch Travel Blog

As earthquake relief efforts continue in the Christchurch CBD and immediate outlying areas, travellers who had planned to visit Christchurch may be wondering what sort of alternatives there are. Also, if you have booked to come to the South Island, but are now having second thoughts, this is for you....

Kaikoura is the number one of New Zealand’s eco-marine activities: best of all it’s only two hours north of Christchurch. New Zealand Geographic called Kaikoura “A maritime Serengeti” and is world famous not only for whale watching, but giant albatross encounters and swimming with Dusky dolphins....

Pass school buses VERY slowly It’s always important to spend a little time on learning local road rules and regulations when you are in a different country. Here are some tips to get your  New Zealand road rules knowledge started. watch for Kiwi especialy at night A current driving license or...

Christchurch is the home of the beautiful, heirlooms of the future, Banksia Bears Rosalie Dixon is a world class teddy bear designer: all her bears are either limited editions or one-off designs. They are perfect for both the collector or, as a very special gift for a little person in your life. pretty...

Christchurch has many scenic, commuter and mountain bike routes for you to explore. Check with the local i-site to collect a brochure of maps Remember its compulsory to wear helmets in NZ – even if you are on a bike route or footpath.                  Basic rule – on a bike?...

The award -winning (the Best Cultural Activity in NZ 2009 2010) Maori Tours, Kaikoura, use family history to provide boutique tours which trace tribal history and explore belief’s about the medicinal properties of native plants. On the Kaikoura peninsula, overlooking the whale-feeding grounds,...

The longest running event of its type in New Zealand, Timaru’s Caroline Bay Carnival, turns 100 this year. (Timaru is about 100k south of Christchurch so an easy drive – book your accommodation first) This much-loved summer-time carnival features all the usual fun of the fair: including the...

Entrance to art gallery Two new things to check out at the Christchurch Art gallery ( Montreal St, city centre) :  the Brought to Light exhibition shows more than fifty new works: from a  nineteenth-century narrative painting and  Petrus van der Velden’s extraordinary The Dutch funeral and...

Organised pandemonium takes over  our city every January as locals and visitors of all ages flock to open-air inner-city malls, the cultural precinct to see the worlds’ very best busker talent: the award-winning World Buskers Festival. Belly laughs, amazement, admiration, and surprise fill our lives...

I always add a little Christmas decoration from the most countries I visit: perhaps you will find a kiwi ornament  here in Christchurch for your tree.  The shop is open all year.