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— THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKES —
On February 22, 2011, an earthquake leveled much of downtown
Christchurch. The devastation resulted in nearly 200 deaths,
the collapse of many buildings including the iconic
Christchurch Cathedral bell tower, and extensive damage to
the utilities infrastructure of the city and its neighboring
suburbs. Damage assessment and recovery are still ongoing as
a series of subsequent aftershocks and new earthquakes
continue to occur, frustrating the region's continuing
reconstruction. At least one of the Christchurch lodgings used by
Home At First visitors was damaged beyond repair and had to
be demolished (no injuries occurred here). However, others
remain intact and operating. Parts of downtown Christchurch
remain off-limits to visitors. We will update this space as
recovery continues. Meanwhile, Canterbury beyond the
earthquake zone — including the Southern Alps,
Mackenzie Country, the Kaikoura Coast north of Christchurch,
and the Pacific Coast south of Christchurch (including
Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula) — is accessible and eager to
welcome visitors. The Tranzalpine train is operating, too.
See the Editor's Blog
for a personal view of the Christchurch earthquake and its
meaning for New Zealand. |
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the city of
gardens is the cultural center of Canterbury,
bread basket of the south island.
PHOTO CREDITS: David wall (Balloon, Christchurch Tram),
tourism NZ
(Canterbury plains, mt. Cavendish Gondola, TranzAlpine Train), home at first
(Christchurch Lodging Bedroom),
and Chris McLennan
(whale tail).
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The South
Island's largest city speaks with an English accent.
Christchurch is the jumping off
point for
the great agricultural plains of Canterbury, Southern Alps resorts, and
even for Antarctic expeditions.
Go whale watching,
take a great train journey
through the Alps,
and explore a former French
colony.
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Attractions in Christchurch:
This most English of all New Zealand cities and largest city of the
South Island offers touring, shopping, fine
restaurants, museums, a great city parks with botanic garden, and golf
courses.
•
CATHEDRAL SQUARE:
Downtown
Christchurch
centers around the Cathedral, with punting
(boating) on the pretty River Avon, nostalgic
tram (trolley car) rides, shopping, and
excellent
restaurants all in easy walking distance.
NOTE:
some parts of downtown Christchurch affected by the
earthquakes of 2010-11 remain off-limits to visitors.
•
MUSEUMS:
especially the International Antarctic
Centre with its Snow & Ice Experience and |
Christchurch: English
enough
for a Spitfire in the garden. |
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Penguin Encounter. |
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Christchurch
Cathedral as it was
before the devastating
Feb. 2011 earthquake. |
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WIDE OPEN SPACES:
strolling
through the Botanic Gardens of
Hagley Park, taking the Christchurch gondola up Mt. Cavendish,
and
golf
at Christchurch Golf Club.
Attractions outside Christchurch:
Easy day-trips from Christchurch include:
•
THE KAIKOURA COAST:
the dramatic coast line north of
Christchurch leads to opportunities to
see seal colonies and go
whale
watching.
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AKAROA:
this lively seaside town maintains its heritage as a
former French
colony on the pretty Banks Peninsula 90 minutes
drive from Christchurch. Swim with dolphins in Akaroa harbor and
browse the galleries and shops of numerous artists and artisans. |
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RIDING THE TRANZALPINE:
New Zealand's
most famous
train takes one of the world's great scenic journeys
daily. The
TranzAlpine
offers half-day and full-day trips
to and through the Southern Alps and
to Greymouth in
Westland.
The TranzAlpine train
departs Christchurch
daily for the Southern Alps and the West Coast. |
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Lodgings:
Home At First offers top-quality
bed and breakfast lodgings like the
Christchurch Inn in quiet
residential communities near
the center of Christchurch.
Christchurch Inn -- elegant lodging just
five minutes
from central Christchurch. Spared by the 2010-11
earthquakes, this beautiful, traditional inn remains
in full operation, although parts of nearby central
Christchurch are still closed to visitors. |
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Getting to/from Christchurch:
Most Home At First guests arrive in Christchurch by rental car,
driving 3 hours northeast
from Lake Tekapo for Christchurch,
driving 5 hours north from
Dunedin,
driving 6 hours northeast from
Queenstown, or driving
7 hours southeast from
Nelson.
Many Home At First guests
make Christchurch their last stop in New Zealand, and depart from Christchurch by air for Auckland and home.
Some visitors make Christchurch their first stop on New Zealand's South
Island, driving from Christchurch to Lake |
Seal colony along the
Kaikoura Coast north
of Christchurch -- on the coastal route
between Nelson and Christchurch. |
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Tekapo (3 hours), Dunedin
(5 hours), Queenstown (6 hours), Westland (6 hours via Greymouth), or
Nelson (7 hours). |
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Getting around Christchurch:
While it's possible to use public transport (buses and taxis) for travel throughout the
city, a rental car is essential for touring the region outside of the city. Christchurch
traffic is the heaviest on the South Island of New Zealand.
Junior cricketers at
Hagley Park, Christchurch. |
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HOME AT FIRST IS
A DESIGNATED "KIWI SPECIALIST"
TOUR OPERATOR BY THE NEW ZEALAND TOURISM
BOARD.
AFFORDABLE DREAM
TRAVEL WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME.
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