Setting and Location

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. Internationally known as 'The Garden City', it is also, arguably, the most attractive city in New Zealand, with extensive inner city public gardens and parks and the shallow Avon river meandering though the city centre. This all owes much to the planning and foresight of Christchurch city's founding fathers.

The city was a planned settlement founded by English colonialists. This rich English history is still apparent in the city's atmosphere - historic trams loop around the city, you can punt down the Avon, and the city is scattered with impressive Neo-Gothic buildings.

The city was originally designed around a square mile, laid out in rectangular city blocks. Adjacent is Hagley Park which is also a square mile of parkland. This park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square and spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon are a testimony to this legacy.

Christchurch also has the largest collection of Gothic architecture in the country, with Christchurch Cathedral, the Canterbury Museum, Christ's College School, and the former University of Canterbury, which now forms the bustling cultural centre of Christchurch, the Arts Centre.

Christchurch is also a city which embraces festivity, with a continuous stream of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Christchurch Arts Festival, New Zealand Cup and Show Week, the World Buskers Festival, the Lyttelton Festival of Lights, the Ellerslie International Flower Show and the Antarctic Festival.

The city has one of the three international airports in the country, and is connected via a tunnel to a seaport at Lyttelton on Bank's Peninsula. It is widely regarded as the Gateway to the South Island and is the perfect place to base your New Zealand holiday.

Chester Street West is in Christchurch's "Mayfair", and is very central to all main attractions and activities.