Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch has a reputation in New Zealand and around the world as being the Garden City with its lush inner city gardens and parks, including the beautiful Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens. Christchurch has a compact, flat city centre which is easily explored on foot. Many of the major sights of Christchurch are within easy walking distance from the New Excelsior Backpackers Hostel's central Christchurch location.

There is more than an air of Englishness to Christchurch - vintage trams trundle their way through the city, visitors relax as their punts meander down the windy river Avon, fine Victorian architecture proudly lines pedestrian pathways and you'll be able to tick off the street names inspired by English cities as you explore the city of Christchurch.

Being the international gateway to the south island of New Zealand and the home to almost 1/3 of the south island's population the city of Christchurch offers a lively cafe and bar scene, a cosmopolitan feel, great festivals, stunning scenery and thrilling activities on it's door step, some of the best shopping in the south island, and excellent transport links making Christchurch the perfect place to stay for a few days or base yourself for further explorations into Canterbury and New Zealand's south island.

Things to see and do in Christchurch: * Hang out in Cathedral Square, people watch and be entertained by buskers. Climb the 63m high tower for amazing panoramic views * Take a punt down the river Avon past some of Christchurch's top tourist spots * Enjoy a few bevies in the trendy, tucked away lane ways of SOL Square and Popular Lane * Take a balloon ride over the flat Canterbury plains and see snow-capped

mountains and the sun rising from the ocean * Spend a few hours gazing at works of art at the Christchurch Art Gallery * Turn back time with a trip on a vintage tram * Take a picnic, some friends and enjoy an afternoon in the pretty surrounds of Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens * Take the Christchurch Gondola to the top of Port Hills for stunning 360o vistas and access to walking and cycling tracks * Get some sun worshipping in on the beaches of Sumner and Redcliffs * Wrap up warm at the Antarctic Centre * Play around in the trees at Adrenalin Forest

Day & half-day trips from Christchurch: * Skydi i i i i i i i i i i i iving! * Rafting, jet boating, bungy, quad biking * Wine tours * Dolphin spotting in Akora and Lyttleton * Whale watching in Kaikoura * Thermal Springs at Hamner * Ski Fields and so much more . . . . check out our tours and activities link page for more information on things to see and do in and around the Canterbury region.

And don't forget that the New Excelsior Backpackers Hostel can book your activities and tours for you with no booking fees!