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Christchurch, New Zealand Vacations, Tours and Luxury Travel Packages

Christchurch is frequently described as 'the most English city outside England' which, however true the statement may or may not be, is at least partly reflected in its Cathedral Square, punting on the willow-lined Avon River, some noble old stone buildings and the very English traditions of Christ's College secondary school for boys.

The first settlers in the area (organised settlement took place in the 1850's) were certainly English to the core and brought with them not only their Anglican faith but also their cricket bats. Christchurch has been the headquarters for New Zealand cricket ever since. The city was named, after Christ Church College at Oxford, where one of the early settler leaders had studied.

The City Centre

Cathedral Square, in the middle of town, is a good place to start a walk around the inner city. For those who are driving (and who have successfully negotiated the one-way street system) there is parking at the corner of Gloucester and Manchester Streets.

Around Christchurch

Some of the city's other attractions are best reached with either the bus or car. The International Antarctic Centre is located out near the airport. It offers an insight into the Antarctic research schemes that are being carried out by American and New Zealand scientists. Christchurch is in fact, the US headquarters for 'Operation Deep Freeze', as the aerial supply link to their main Antarctic research station at McMurdo Sound is known. Multimedia special effects and the fascinating Great White South audio-visual presentation make the trip here a memorable experience.

Around 4 miles (6km) north-east of the City Centre is the National Marae - Nga Hau E Wha (The Meeting Place of the Four Winds of the Earth). The largest marae in New Zealand features the traditional art of New Zealand's main tribal groups. Entrance to the marae is through a finely carved gateway that symbolises the Maori settlement of New Zealand and later European colonisation. The whare nui (meeting house) is decorated with traditional carvings and
painting (kowhaiwhai) whereas the whare wananga (house of learning) recounts ancient Maori myths and legends using contemporary styles and colours.

Air Force World is an imaginatively arranged museum, only a 15 minute drive from the City Centre. Pride of place is taken by 16 vintage aircraft that have seen service in the New Zealand Air Force over the years. A special attraction is the chance to fly in a Tiger Moth biplane.

Roughly the same distance away, but this time to the south-east of the City Centre, the Ferrymead Historic Park focuses on transport and technology. Visitors who passed on the role (and expense) of being a World War One flying ace at the previous museum, can at least ride on a steam train or tram here. Only a few minutes away, the Mount Cavendish Gondola offers spectacular views of the Southern Alps and Banks Peninsula on its way up to the top of the Port Hills.

The TranzAlpine Express

Before finally leaving the South Island's largest city, it is worth mentioning the TranzAlpine Express. The route this train takes over the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass is quite spectacular and some consider it to be one of the world's finest train journeys. The train departs daily from either Christchurch or Greymouth (on the West Coast). The trip can also be done as part of a package tour that combines a ride on the TranzAlpine Express with a jet-boat ride and a visit to a high country sheep farm.

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