Lonely Planet - free Guide to Christchurch

Lonely Planet have updated their information on Christchurch and made it available as a free 48 page PDF download from their website here.

The following is an extract from the beginning of the Chapter on Christchurch. If nothing else it is a reminder of why we live here and not somewhere else.

Why Go?

Nowhere in New Zealand is changing and developing as fast as post-earthquake Christchurch, and visiting the country’s second largest city as it’s being rebuilt and reborn is both interesting and inspiring.

A short drive from Christchurch’s dynamic re-emergence, Banks Peninsula conceals hidden bays and beaches – a backdrop for kayaking and wildlife cruises with a sunset return to the attractions of Akaroa. To the north are the vineyards of the Waipara Valley and the family-holiday ambience of Hanmer Springs. Westwards, the well-ordered farms of the Canterbury Plains morph quickly into the rough-and-tumble wilderness of the Southern Alps.

Canterbury summertime attractions include tramping along the braided rivers and alpine valleys around Arthur’s Pass and mountain biking around the turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie Country. During winter, the attention switches to the mountains, with skiing at Mt Hutt. Throughout the seasons, Aoraki/Mt Cook, the country’s tallest peak, stands sentinel over this diverse region.

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