Top Reasons to Go to Christchurch and Canterbury

The Arts: Christchurch has a solid collection of galleries, museums, heritage buildings, and cultural activities, often housed in original 19th-century buildings.

Fantastic Festivals: Hardly a month goes by in Christchurch without a festival staged by one organization or another. Festivals honor various professions, gardens, seasons, and heritage days.

Hiking and Trekking: Arthur's Pass and the Rakaia and Rangitata river gorges have walking and hiking trails and boating and picnicking areas.

Parks and Gardens: The city on the swamp, as it might have been called 150 years ago, blossomed into the Garden City thanks to the foresight of Christchurch's city fathers.

Superb Skiing: There are eight major ski slopes and a number of club runs within two hours' drive of Christchurch. Season runs from June until September.