Christchurch and Canterbury Travel Guide
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
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Guidebooks
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Fodor's New Zealand
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Photo: David Wall/Tourism New Zealand
John Robert Godley, whose memorial statue until the recent earthquake stood in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, would have seen the spectacular views of the Southern Alps at the top of the Port Hills in 1850. The Canterbury Association, a British organization, had sent him to New Zealand to prepare for the arrival of settlers for a planned Church of England community. That year, four settler ships arrived bearing roughly 800 pioneers, and their new town was named for Godley's college at Oxford.
Christchurch and Canterbury Hotels
At this writing the central city is off-limits and inside a cordon, meaning many of the city's hotels are inaccessible. But there are plenty of alternatives...read more
Christchurch and Canterbury Restaurants
Central Christchurch lost over 200 restaurants and bars in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Although some are reopening or have relocated there is still only...read more
Things To Do in Christchurch and Canterbury
Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.
Travel Deals in Christchurch and Canterbury
- $1298* -- New Zealand 'Spring' Fares from West Coast, R/T Air New Zealand
Christchurch and Canterbury Experiences
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The Arts: Christchurch has a solid collection of galleries, museums, heritage buildings, and cultural activities.... Read more
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The journey is the thing. Nowhere in New Zealand does this Homeric phrase resound more than at Arthur's Pass, where the way itself is the marvel... Read more
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Enterprising local tourist offices have sketched out thematically linked, self-guided sightseeing routes throughout the region. You can pick... Read more
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Although officially part of New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, 800 km (500 mi) east of the South Island, are a land apart. Bearing the full force... Read more
News & Features
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Trip Ideas
From backpackers to businessmen, luxury seekers to religious pilgrims, all kinds of travelers are draw... Read more
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Trip Ideas
Ask around and most people will tell you to spend as short a layover as possible in Athens before booking... Read more
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News, Hotels
When an Aman Resort opens, we come running.... Read more
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We went to NZ starting on June 30th (left the US on June 28th), for 20 days. Read more
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We went to NZ starting on June 30th (left the US on June 28th), for 20 days. Read more
