Christchurch or ‘the Garden City’ Christchurch is the hub of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest of all the South Island cities and is situated at the confluence of the Heathcote and Avon rivers with a backdrop of the port hills.
Chardonnay Motor Lodge accommodation Christchurch is close to the exclusive Peppers Clearwater Resort & Golf Club and premier golf courses – Russley and Harewood.
Just a short stroll away from Chardonnay Motor Lodge accommodation Christchurch is the Groynes recreational area, with walks, lake, picnic areas and playgrounds.
Surrounding the city there are a multitude of activities for all walks of life. Including golf courses and driving ranges, tennis courts, wild life parks, walking tracks, cycle tracks, wind surfing, boating and much more.
During the winter take advantage of the great ski fields within 1-2 hours drive including Mount Hutt, Craigieburn and Porter Heights.
Other attractions include:
Chardonnay Motor Lodge accommodation Christchurch is also a 5 minute drive to :
Day Trips
Akaroa
Cafés
Harbour cruises
Swim with dolphins
Hanmer Springs
Bush walks
Mountain biking
Bungy jumping
Thermal pools
Kaikoura
Whale watching
3 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1
Morning:
Option 1 – Antarctic Centre – See the Little Blue Penguins. Experience the cold of the Antarctic. Allow 2-3 hours.
Option 2- Walk or cycle around The Groynes, 98 hectares of reserve.
Afternoon:
Option 1 – Visit Willowbank Wildlife park.. See the Kiwis, perhaps stay for dinner and “Ko Tane” Maori performance.
Option 2 – Pop down to the supermarket, get some supplies, relax back at Chardonnay and have a wine in the sun.
Evening:
Option 1 – Dinner at Styx and Stone – generous portions, great service, value for money. Less than 5 minutes drive from the Motel.
Option 2 – Tutto Bene Italian experience in Merivale. Lots of noise and activity, great food.
Day 2
Morning:
Option 1 – Take a day trip to Hanmer Springs – home of the Thermal hot pools and Spa. (1½ hrs drive north). Stop on the way at Pukeko Junction for a delicious morning tea. Stop at Brew Moon Cafe on the way back for a home brewed beer. Hanmer is a lovely Alpine Village with walks, arts’n’crafts, cafes and restaurants.
Option 2- Take a day trip over the hills to Akaroa – a beautiful little “French” village on Banks Peninsula. Full of quaint little houses, great arts’n’crafts and several pubs and restaurants. Take a trip with Wildlife Cruises and swim with the dolphins!
Evening:
Option 1 – After a busy day why not cook up a storm on the BBQ at Chardonnay while sipping on 1 or 2 of same?
Day 3
Morning:
Option 1 – Shopping at Northlands Mall – one of the largest in ChCh.
Option 2- Drive to the Port Hills, over to Diamond Harbour and back through the Lyttelton Tunnel. Winding roads with great views. Allow 2-3 hours.
Afternoon:
Option 1 – Orana Park Wildlife Reserve.. A great experience of all types of wildlife, large and small. See the big cats being fed and the cheetahs showing off their speed. Allow 2-3 hours.
Option 2 – Afternoon Tea at “Sweethearts at Berryfields”. A gorgeous old fashioned cafe and berry farm. Delicious food in picturesque surroundings.
Evening:
Option 1 – Stop at Merivale and choose from several restaurants and bars. (Thai, Italian & European). Aikmans and No4 both have outdoor fires.
Option 2 – Need a rest? Grab a ready to eat meal from reception. Pop it in the microwave. Eat and relax!
On 22nd February 2011 at 12.51pm, the city of Christchurch was torn apart and changed forever by a violent 6.3 magnitude earthquake. It followed a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on September 4th, 2010
Two more significant earthquakes followed on June the 13th and December 23rd, both of magnitude 6.0.
By mid-2012, most of the damaged buildings of Christchurch and Lyttelton had been demolished. The city has commenced a reconstruction and rebuilding on a scale unprecedented in New Zealand history. 30,000 workers from all parts of the globe are estimated to be here for the rebuild by 2013.
After 12,000 aftershocks over a period of two years, seismic activity in Christchurch is declining.
Lonely Planet has described Christchurch as “re-emerging as one of New Zealand’s most exciting cities”. In the CBD, the RE: Start development features almost 30 retailers in colourful shipping containers on Cashel Mall.
Shipping containers have become the new symbol for the city. Many damaged and demolished businesses have now re-emerged in funky shipping containers whether they be bars, cafes, retail shops or makeshift braces for older damaged buildings.
The city has changed with a new focus on the suburbs. Addington on the edge of the CDB is Christchurch’s new most dynamic neighbourhood. Riccarton has become a lively venue for bars and restaurants. In fact, many pre-earthquake restaurants have moved to the suburbs.
A lot of Hotels, Motels and Hostels are still operating. Head out of Christchurch and there are only a few reminders of the earthquake damage; bumpy roads and cracked fences, older buildings with cracks.