campervan rental christchurch

Christchurch is NZ's second largest city and the international gateway to the South Island. Maori history suggests people first inhabited the Canterbury area about a thousand years ago. The first European landed in Canterbury in 1815, 45 years after Captain James Cook sighted what he named 'Banks Island', later found to be a peninsula. In 1840 the first Europeans settled on the plans and whaling ships were operating out of Lyttelton by 1850. During 1850 - 1851 the first organised groups of English settlers, the founders of Christchurch, arrived on the first four ships into Lyttelton Harbour.
These pioneering settlers brought with them the gardening traditions of their homeland. It was just thirteen years after their arrival that the initial plans were made to form the present Botanic Gardens and the roots for its reputation as 'The Garden City'. Named by nostalgic settlers after an Oxford university college, the traditional English ambience can be felt in many ways. Christchurch has achieved a fine balance between the extremes of modern metro hustle and the grace and charm of an earlier era. The city is large enough to achieve economic viability yet small enough for people to feel they belong. Christchurch and Canterbury are famous for natural beauty and a wealth of things to do. Christchurch has a lively entertainment scene, strong cultural heritage, gorgeous parks and gardens, lots of sports facilities and good shopping.
	Experience the multitude of must-see visitor attractions such as the Botanic Gardens, The Arts Centre and ArtGallery. Visit Cathedral Square where you will find, Chalice, artwork by internationally renowned sculptor Neil Dawson. Known as the Garden City, Christchurch has many parks available for you to enjoy.

Appreciate Christchurch’s cultural heritage, take a walk from the Square down Worcester Boulevard where you will find many attractions that make up the Cultural Precinct. In the central city you will also find a series of lanes that are offer designer shops and restaurants.

Enjoy the vibrant hospitality and entertainment, take comfort in the garden city’s urban living scene. From central hotels it is easy to walk to most of the main heritage, entertaining and dining venues. The ‘Four Avenues’ area defines the central city precinct bounded by Moorhouse, Fitzgerald, Bealey and Dean avenues and Cathedral Square is the landmark epicentre. From here an historic restored electric tramcar follows a 2.5 km circuit past the major city sights and a shuttle bus operates from the Visitor Information Centre in the square.

Visitors are sure to fall in love with Christchurch city, but beware of falling under the wizard's spell. Once you have experienced everything the city has to offer there are many more surprises further inland. The breathtaking mountain vistas of the Southern Alps, spectacular lakes, rivers and bush clad valleys, giant glaciers descending almost to sea level, precipitous fiords and World Heritage scenic wonders await.

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