Christchurch, New Zealand

Over 150 years ago some hardy English settlers scrambled up the steep slopes of the Bridle Path to the summit of the Port Hills and looked down on their new home, a vast stretch of unattractive muddy swampland. It must have been a discouraging sight after such an arduous journey. Those early settlers would be amazed if they were to stand at the same vantage point today. The swamps have been drained and the water now runs to the sea through two orderly rivers, the Avon and the Heathcote, while houses have filled vast flat areas and are steadily climbing the hills.

Nowadays few people arrive on sailing ships, most fly into Christchurch international airport. On a fine day they enjoy a panoramic view of the city, lying on the edge of the Canterbury Plains; bound to the east by the Pacific coastline, to the south by the hills of Banks Peninsula, and to the west by the mountains of the Southern Alps. As the plane circles lower, newcomers can see the expansive Hagley Park, and the reason why Christchurch is lauded as the 'Garden City' is evident with a view of trees, parks and gardens, but very few high-rises.

Central Business District

The city's Anglican heritage is evident in Cathedral Square, the heart of the city. Some fine hotels overlook it, while one block west "The Strip" follows the Avon River along Worcester Boulevard, offering visitors cafes by day and clubbing by night. Cuisine styles range from Egyptian to Asian to Pacific Rim.

Taking a tram is a pleasant way to see the western CBD: see the Gothic stone buildings of the Arts Centre with its cafes, cinemas and Court Theatre; the Canterbury Museum and Christ's College; and the Christchurch Art Gallery, that hides in the expansive Botanic Gardens next to Hagley Park's golf course and various sports fields. If the flatness of the city and its one-way streets are disorienting, get maps and advice from the Christchurch and Canterbury Visitors Centre before heading off.

Experience the spectrum of entertainment at the Town Hall, the Convention Centre, and the Christchurch Casino, with nearby specialist shops and restaurants. Expensive shops tout for tourist trade close to the Central library, while the tram journey ends under the Spanish facade of New Regent Street.

Further south, you will discover an eclectic mix of restaurants, art galleries, bookshops, red light establishments, and a variety of churches, from the traditional to the more lively Pentecostals. South City Centre offers upmarket clothing and department stores, footwear, wine, antiques and other specialty stores. Cinemas and Science Alive offer entertainment nearby.

West of Cathedral Square

West of Hagley Park, Riccarton is best known for its large indoor shopping facility, Westfield Riccarton. Two early settlers' homes and some original native forest can be seen here at Deans' Bush. The upmarket Fendalton has Christchurch Boys' High School, built on land purchased from the Deans family, and Christchurch Girls' High School, erected on a former mill site alongside the Avon River. Just upstream is Mona Vale with its popular rose garden. Further west is the University of Canterbury's Ilam campus with its world-renowned rhododendron gardens that flower in October and November.

Hornby has cinemas and is the site of November's annual Agricultural and Pastoral Show where country comes to town for three days.

North of Cathedral Square

Merivale is a fashionable suburb with cafes, designer clothing and a growing reputation for antiques. To the northwest, Jellie Park Aqualand offers waterslide and picnic facilities. Golfers can visit Russley Golf Course and Garden City Golf driving range next to Pirate's Island Adventure Golf. To the northeast, Christchurch Golf Club Inc claims to be among the best in New Zealand and borders on Horseshoe Lake Reserve.

South of Cathedral Square

At Addington, the WestpacTrust Centre offers a multi-sport facility and Addington Raceway hosts the prestigious New Zealand Trotting Cup. Head up through Cashmere on to the Port Hills where you can walk and mountain bike along various tracks, or hang-glide and revive at the Sign of Takahe. The Christchurch Gondola gives 360 degree views of the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, down to the thriving port of Lyttelton and across to Diamond Harbour.

East of Cathedral Square

The suburb of Linwood is a very old part of town, but sports fans will appreciate the rugby fields and cricket grounds of AMI Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) near Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Sumner District

The pick of the city's beach suburbs, Sumner is a favorite summer swimming spot with the landmark Cave Rock and popular restaurants like Scarborough Fare. On Clifton Hill, the Gethsemane Gardens look out to the Kaikoura mountains. Further east, Taylor's Mistake offers surfers a superb point break. Various walks begin in the area, notably to the old WWII gun emplacements on Godley Head, while Ferrymead Historic Park provides graphic insights of life in a bygone era.

Outside the City

Canterbury is renowned for its wines. A drive around Banks Peninsula to the early French settlement of Akaroa brings you to French Farm Winery, as well as a variety of cafes, accommodation, walks and harbor attractions. West of Christchurch are the vineyards Giesen Wine Estate, Morworth Estate and Sandihurst. Forty minutes north is the Waipara district and a cluster of wineries with dining facilities including Pegasus Bay Winery & Restaurant, Waipara West, Mud House Winery, and Glenmark Wines. Award winning wines proliferate in the area, so be sure to make time to enjoy them.

And in keeping with true Canterbury pioneering spirit, head towards the Southern Alps and check out the numerous ski fields and all the action adventure tours of the Southern skies, rivers and harbors.