Introduction
Beneath the veneer of understatement lies a vibrant city of new ideas. The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches, rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 452
Coordinates: -43.5239982605 latitude and 172.638000488 longitude
Population: 344100
Area codes: 03
Getting There
The peak travel time in New Zealand is the summer school holidays, from late December to late January - this is also the best time for beach weather. The warmer months (November to April) in general are busy, and you should consider booking accommodation in advance.
Getting there and away
Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island, with flights to Australia and a limited number of other countries. The airport is 12km (7.5mi) from the city centre. Both the international and domestic terminals have excellent facilities, including a bureau de change, ATMs, car rentals and left luggage. Air New Zealand is the main domestic carrier and there are daily direct flights between Christchurch and Auckland, Blenheim, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hokitika, Invercargill, Nelson, Queenstown, Wanaka and Wellington, with connections to other centres. Other carriers also offer daily direct flights to the bigger centres. Departure tax for international flights is payable at the airport. Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. Regular coach services will get you south to Queenstown, Picton, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass.
Getting around
Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. There is a daily TransAlpine train service that runs from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass - dubbed one of the world's great train journeys. Regular coach services will get you north to Picton, south to Queenstown, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass. Christchurch's bus service is good, cheap and efficient. Most city buses run from the well-organised City Exchange, which can be accessed from Colombo Street. Christchurch's compact size and flat topography make it ideal for cycling, and hired bikes can be delivered to your accommodation. Taxis are plentiful, as are car rentals. Christchurch is the best place on the South Island to rent a car or a motor home.
Weather
Christchurch has a temperate climate, although summers can be hotter than the norm for the South Island. They are usually pretty dry too, thanks to the shelter of the nearby mountains. Winter temperatures can be cold, with snow at sea level not unheard of. Christchurch has its own notorious wind - a fiery springtime nor'wester - that can cause widespread damage when at gale force.
Beneath the veneer of understatement lies a vibrant city of new ideas. The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches, rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 452
Coordinates: -43.5239982605 latitude and 172.638000488 longitude
Population: 344100
Area codes: 03
Getting There
The peak travel time in New Zealand is the summer school holidays, from late December to late January - this is also the best time for beach weather. The warmer months (November to April) in general are busy, and you should consider booking accommodation in advance.
Getting there and away
Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island, with flights to Australia and a limited number of other countries. The airport is 12km (7.5mi) from the city centre. Both the international and domestic terminals have excellent facilities, including a bureau de change, ATMs, car rentals and left luggage. Air New Zealand is the main domestic carrier and there are daily direct flights between Christchurch and Auckland, Blenheim, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hokitika, Invercargill, Nelson, Queenstown, Wanaka and Wellington, with connections to other centres. Other carriers also offer daily direct flights to the bigger centres. Departure tax for international flights is payable at the airport. Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. Regular coach services will get you south to Queenstown, Picton, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass.
Getting around
Trains run to Picton via Blenheim with connections to the Interislander ferry to Wellington. The train station is 2km (1.2mi) southwest of the city centre. There is a daily TransAlpine train service that runs from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass - dubbed one of the world's great train journeys. Regular coach services will get you north to Picton, south to Queenstown, Mt Cook and Dunedin and west to Greymouth and Hokitika via Arthur's Pass. Christchurch's bus service is good, cheap and efficient. Most city buses run from the well-organised City Exchange, which can be accessed from Colombo Street. Christchurch's compact size and flat topography make it ideal for cycling, and hired bikes can be delivered to your accommodation. Taxis are plentiful, as are car rentals. Christchurch is the best place on the South Island to rent a car or a motor home.
Weather
Christchurch has a temperate climate, although summers can be hotter than the norm for the South Island. They are usually pretty dry too, thanks to the shelter of the nearby mountains. Winter temperatures can be cold, with snow at sea level not unheard of. Christchurch has its own notorious wind - a fiery springtime nor'wester - that can cause widespread damage when at gale force.
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