Explore Majestic Parks and Gardens
in Christchurch New Zealand

The largest city in the South Island, Christchurch is the oldest established city in New Zealand. This main city of the Canterbury region has been known since early this century as the Garden City, a theme which embodies the city’s style and is incorporated in its logo. The inner city is defined by four avenues of majestic deciduous trees. City planners are lauded for their preservation and use of beautiful, historic buildings and statues.

Maori oral history suggests that the first inhabitants of the area (about a thousand years ago) were moa-hunting tribes, followed by the Waitaha, the Ngati Mamoe and Ngai Tahu. The first Europeans landed in 1815, and between 1840 and 1850 Europeans settlers operated whaling ships out of Lyttelton and founded the city of Christchurch New Zealand in 1856.

Despite a growing population of over 300,000, the proportion of land to each person is high, thanks in large part to Hagley Park, found in the center of the city. A geometric grid system makes the main streets easy to navigate and the natural spring-fed waters of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers make their way through the city to the Estuary and the sea. The city’s visionary founders planned what is called the Cultural Precinct in the heart of the city. Art, recreation and education, science and religion, government and history are provided for in an area of less than one square kilometre, surrounded by the gently-flowing Avon river.

The temperature ranges between a mean annual maximum of 16.8 and a mean annual minimum of 6.5 degrees Celsius, as measured at the airport. The average number of rain days per month is only six and the sun shines an average of eight hours per day.

This is a place where residents and visitors alike may enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment famous for its beauty. The cosmopolitan ambience adds a touch of excitement and an understated elegance speaks of times gone by. Be sure to visit Christchurch on your New Zealand vacation!

For female travelers, Frauenreisehaus Womens BBH Backpackers Hostel Christchurch offers excellent women-only accommodations in Christchurch.