Christchurch Travel Blog

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...

Multi-Emmy Award winner and host of hit TV programme The Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan is a Christchurch boy and still one of our biggest fans. "Try our crayfish" (lobster) says Phil. Tks to Christchurch & Canterbury Marketing for this photo He has signed on as a tourism ambassador for us...

the crowd arrives The national sport in New Zealand is rugby football and attending a local match is a good insight into locals no matter what country or code you are watching - or if you understand or not. one of the local heartthrobs: Sonny Bill Who is ‘my team’ well the ‘Crusaders’ of course....

What’s the best deal for deal for souvenirs in Christchurch? Intro: when I travel I often find it difficult to see good souvenirs for myself and, or friends and family. So, let me help you find authentic, affordable gifts to take home from Christchurch, New Zealand. We Kiwi would never travel without...

Christchurch (& NZ in general) is well served with clean, free public toilets. Sometimes labelled  restrooms or bathrooms, they are mostly labelled ‘toilet’. If it’s written in Maori (an official language in NZ)  its will usually be very obvious, or be in English too: in Maori it’s whare...

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...

Diwali festival Intro: Writing about clothing fashions in Christchurch is very much like trying to describe the homes in my inner city, very short, street.  I could say they are million dollar apartments or homes,  circa1850 cottages, Victorian villas, or social City Housing – because my street has...

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...