Christchurch, 'the Garden City' is home to many attractions that have made it a popular destination spot for tourists the year around. There is plenty of excellent public transport, so getting around is economical and easy. Check out some of the great features you can find in and around Christchurch. Airport Christchurch has it's own international airport where you can fly in and out daily on most major airlines. Domestic flights within NZ are available as well Arts / Crafts Most weekends feature various arts and crafts markets, all of which are free to enter and hold differing stalls. The most popular one is located at the Arts Centre on a Saturday and Sunday. Art Gallery Christchurch has a new Art Gallery where you can find stunning works and exhibitions from both local and international artists. Bars / Clubs / Wine Gardens / Pubs There are over 650 establishments in and around Canterbury from night clubs to beer gardens to elegant fine dining. The central city houses a fine selection of all while a quick trip to the outskirts of town will reward you with a fine buffet of wineries and local taverns. Beaches Being a coastal city, there are a multitude of beaches to choose from. Whether you are into sunbathing, surfing, swimming or walking you will find some great places here. There are life guard patrolled areas operating over the holiday periods and most weekends. Beers / Wines NZ is home to some of the world's finest beers. Steinlager and Monteiths are both brewed in NZ. Christchurch is home to some great locally brewed ales whether you are in to draughts, lagers, stouts or darks you'll find something you like here Wines aplenty, locally made and full of character. Most local vineyards offer tours, tastings and some have full menus from top Canterbury chefs Biking The Port Hills makes for some great bike riding, whether you are casual, street or a mountain biker. Bottle Lake forest makes for some superb mountain biking with a variety of tracks for all ages / levels. Bikes are hireable from local vendors in and around the city. Camping Within 20 minutes of the central city you can be in the country and there are plenty of camping sites and spots within and around the city. Everything from tent sites to motorhome parks to selfcontained units. Casino Christchurch features the South Islands largest casino, slot machines, table games, a fine restaurant, bistro and gift shop. Churches / Houses of Worship All major denominations have Houses of Worship in Christchurch. The unit is located within walking distance of Christchurch Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Basilica Climbing Whether it's indoor or outdoor, Canterbury has some great spots. The Port Hills features some of New Zealand's best routes with some of the best scenery. Guides and guidebooks are readily available. Fishing Christchurch and the surrounding districts have some of the greatest fishing rivers in the South Island. A fishing licence is required and information regarding these can be found here. Lyttelton Harbour also allows for some sea fishing. Gardens The most popular and well known garden in Christchurch, would be the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. Running alongside Hagley Park you can easily spend days looking around the gardens and the various types of flora and fauna. There are fountains, picnic areas, swimming pools, tea rooms and the Avon River loops peacefully through it. Aside from the Botanical Gardens, Christchurch City is known as 'the Garden City' due to it's large number of gardens, parks and outdoor recreation areas. Historic Sites Christchurch is full of historic sites to keep all avid history buffs enthused. Whether it's architecture or people, there's a lot to be found here. You can visit WWII gun emplacements and walk through tunnels cut through seafront cliffs. You can retrace the footsteps of the early canterbury settlers who walked over the Bridal Pass from Lyttleton to Christchurch. Horse Treks Horse treks are available from half day rides to full day / over night stays out of Christchurch. Flying Local businesses in and around Christchurch Airport feature both light aircraft and helicopter options. You can charter or book a standard visitors tour to see Christchurch and Canterbury from the best views. Helicopters also run ski trips up to most mountains in the winter seasons. Museum Christchurch has a fine museum, located next to the Arts Centre and Botanical Gardens. Here you can learn about New Zealand history, the Maori and find out about great and famous New Zealanders. Skiing Christchurch is the central hub for the South Island ski fields. People come from all over the world to ski at some of the finest slopes New Zealand has to offer, and they are right here in the South Island. Being a little more than an hours drive to the very popular Mt Hutt, makes Christchurch an ideal base. The other main skifields are Cardrona, Porter Heights, Mt Cheeseman, Mt Lyford, Mt Dobson, Ohau, Treble Cone, Temple Basin, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Sports Christchurch houses two main stadium complexes, AMI Stadium (formerly know as Jade Stadium and Lancaster Park) and QEII Sports Complex. Both cater to different parts of the sports field and are located within 10mins drive of the unit. All major sports can be found in and around Christchurch. Theatre / Shows / Cinemas A variety of theatres show everything from stage plays to movies to concerts. Most are within walking distance of the central city or on public transport routes. Walking There are plenty of inner city walking sites and you can access most of the attractions of the inner city on foot. The unit is located just a few minutes walk from the central city. For those of you looking for something a little more adventurous the Port Hills has some lovely walks and hikes, which show off the true beauty of Christchurch city and the Canterbury plains. Wildlife There are two main wildlife parks in Christchurch, Orana Park and Willowbank. Both feature wildlife from around the world as well as a fine array of NZ's own indigenious species ... including the nocturnal Kiwi.