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IMAGES: 02 & 04 CHRISTCHURCHNZ.COM
THIS IS CHRISTCHURCH
006 WHCHC
01 — Café Valentino
Packed with culture, oozing with character and having a cheeky charm all of its own, Christchurch is a city unlike any other. Whether you’re up for a swanky dinner and a night on the tiles, indulging in some serious retail therapy or hankering for a cultural fix, there’s much to discover in the South Island’s largest city. A perfect base for exploring a region packed with adventures, Christchurch is a regular on lists of top places in the world to visit. A dynamic urban centre with new art, hangouts and eateries popping up every month, Ōtautahi has healthy doses of innovation and quirk. Long heralded as one of New Zealand’s most beautiful cities, it had traditionally been known for its parks and gardens, Gothic revival stone buildings and the tranquil
Avon River snaking through the central city. But that was the old Christchurch: in late 2010 and early 2011, the city was subjected to severe earthquakes that damaged or destroyed many buildings and shopping precincts. Today you’ll find a modern metropolis with new and innovative markets, retail centres, architecture, nightlife and attractions interspersed with preserved and restored nods to the city’s heritage. Christchurch-only experiences include the Riverside Market, large-scale outdoor art murals, and the world-class Christchurch Adventure Park. On the city’s fringe you’ll find buzzing cafés and nightlife, and new retail precincts filled with exciting, brand-spankingnew hospitality options opening all the time. Beyond the city limits, in the
surrounding landscape of Canterbury, outdoor adventures abound, from rock climbing, swimming with dolphins (the world’s smallest!) at Akaroa (where back in the day, the French made their sole effort at colonising New Zealand – epic fail, though a certain je ne sais quoi remains), to white-water rafting and hiking plus, in winter, skiing at one of the region’s several commercial and club fields.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE CITY Sizzling style, tiny treasures, mystical makeovers and classy culinary creations lie in wait around every corner of Christchurch. The best way to navigate the central city is by foot – find your ‘sole mate’ at one of the many great bootiques. Sure, you can climb aboard a
02 — Transitional Cathedral
Lime, but there’s a lot to miss if you whizz by at 25 kilometres an hour. If you haven’t swung by Christchurch institution Ballantynes for a while, it’s worth a good nosey around. The Lichfield Street wing has a homewares department that boasts exclusive concept store Pottery Barn, the first New Zealand store for the iconic US chain. There’s also Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm and a florist alongside mouthwateringly rich and decadent sweets served up by the good folks at Chocolate Library. If you’re a foodie, The Pantry is the perfect place to stock up on all your tasty needs – it’s got you covered from bold red wines to botanical gins, spreads to meringues, take-home hand-crafted meals and everything in between. The luxe Lichfield Street offerings are rounded out by Kin, an elegant café and wine bar that
