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....

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...

We kiwi pride ourselves on our ingenuity and innovation and Christchurch has its share of them – either because they lived or studied here. Ernest Rutherford studied here: see his den at the Arts Centre The Hamilton Jet boat and the ski plane are examples of New Zealand inventions that embody the Kiwi...

Have you ever flown on a DC3? Here in Christchurch you can take a scenic flight on one – or even charter it for a special occasion. View from cockpit The DC3 is a legend around the world and from its first flight in 1935 it has impressed all with its reliability, safety and style, and I recently...

Each district in New Zealand has different rules about freedom camping and the parking of campervans. Sometime places it’s permitted, and in others,  it will result in a fine and you being moved on. The best place to find information about where you can camp and what procedures to follow is...

A  Ron Mueck exhibition at the  Christchurch Art Gallery – until 23rd Jan 2011 – is a ‘must see’ while you’re in my city. Mask -- a self portrait According to Wikipedia Mueck “began his career working on Australian children’s television programs, and his early career was as a...

Just over the river behind the Christchurch Town Hall and Convention Centre is Victoria Square: a cornucopia of history – invisible to those who hurry past. Town Hall & Avon River from Victoria Sq. In 1850, swamp covered Christchurch and settlers had to traverse bog to get home after shopping...

New Zealand’s bright green parrot – the kakariki – has won this year’s Forest & Bird Bird of the Year poll. (thanks for photo by Thomas Mattern Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand - Wikipedia ) It’s thought  the cheeky kakariki (right ) gained favour for...

International Wine Tasting As the newest member to the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network, Christchurch is thrilled to welcome visitors to Wine Discovery New Zealand 2010. The Great Wine Capitals Global Network International Conference will be held 31 October to 4 November, 2010 They are...