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Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

When I mentioned we would spend a weekend in Christchurch we received varying responses of a negative nature.  When I reminded Kiwis that I am not from these antipodean shores and although now living here still consider myself a tourist, the response softened and suggestions of what we may like to visit were finally forthcoming!

Twisted Hop
Twisted Hop

The river Avon runs through the city lending a lovely serenity to Christchurch, the waterside easily accessible with  plenty parks to relax in or meander through in the Garden City including the vast Botanical Gardens.  We checked out “the strip” which is a run of restaurants and bars running alongside part of the Avon, but wound up in Poplar Lanes which is a cute area of bars and restaurants which reminded me of Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s West End!  We were pleasantly refreshed at The Twisted Hop, a bar with a brewery right behind it!  The boysenberry cider was a delicious treat!

Cathedral Square seems to be the centre of the city, tram and buses leaving from this central point and the busy Information centre is also located here.

Lyttleton

Harbour
Harbour

We decided to head out to Lyttleton and stood for the rather popular Number 28 bus outside the Bus Xchange… along with a potential bus full of tourists!  It took a full 10 minutes for the queue to pile on the bus, with every other tourist having to search for change, etc… and of course as the bus arrived you had the usual European queue jumpers (Germans the worst in this case!).

Anyway, the pleasant bus trip out of the city through the tunnel takes you to Lyttleton, a port town on the shores of the harbour next to Banks peninsula,  in about 30 minutes.

Set in an inlet surrounded by steep hills formed by an extinct volcanic crater it makes for a stunning location.  The settlement officially became a port in 1849 and has quaint streets and a nice selection of cafes.  We came across a market in the school playground which sold local produce and was quite a find!

Lyttleton
Harbour view

Lyttleton

A walk up the hill to the Timeball Station which was built in 1876, providing me a reminder of Edinburgh and Calton Hill’s timeball, gives a lovely view point over the harbour.

Gondola

City view
City view

The No. 28 bus also stops at the Gondola.  The 945 metre gondola lifts you up to the top of the Port Hills around 500 metres above seal level.  Once at the top you get 360 degree views from Christchurch over the Canterbury plains to the peaks of the Southern Alps and then over Lyttleton Harbour and the Banks Peninsula and the pacific – quite stunning.  $24 for adults, on a clear day this is well worth it.

Sumner

Forgetting the Coast to Coast challenge was winding up in Sumner we arrived to a hectic beach front.  It seems that a lot of Brits end up living in Sumner, and I can see why.  Lovely feel to this suburb, right on a nice stretch of surf beach, with nice cafes and wee shops.

Sumner
Sumner

On a Sunday it is worth heading to the Arts Centre to wander around the numerous market stalls selling a vast variety of items, as well as taking the opportunity to explore the old buildings and the artwork on show within.  There is a lane of food stalls with yummy delights from Lebanon, Greece, China, Hungary… it all smelled delicious!  Exploring the Botanical Gardens is also easy from this spot once you have exhausted the market stalls.

We loved our visit to Christchurch and will happily return!

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