THIS IS CHRISTCHURCH

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

01 — Café Valentino

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

03 — Cathedral Square

will tickle your senses with incredible treats (be sure to try the weekend brunch).

Down Cashel Mall by the Bridge of Remembrance is the fresh seven-day-a-week Riverside Market. Stop by and you’ll discover plenty of bangin’ eateries, artisan suppliers and boutique retailers – you’ll be spoilt for choice. Among the 30 independent food outlets and 40 market stalls are a city favourite, Pedro’s Kitchen, where you can pick up delectable tapas; the Argentine BBQ bosses at El Quincho; Bohemian Bakery, serving up fresh baked goods; Cured NZ by the team from Cashmere Cuisine, with their delicious deli fare; and Fritz’s Wieners, where you’ll find the best bratwurst around. Be sure to head upstairs, too, where you can quench your thirst and soak in some sunshine as you check out some of the ‘laxed rooftop bars that overlook the Avon River.

The Terrace has cemented itself as a hospo hotspot with its culinary and nightlife destinations, and the weaving laneways that have sprouted in and around the block are worth a meander, too. At the BNZ Centre you can discover an array of treasures in the colourful and comfortable courtyard, including fab food outlets and the famous Scorpio Books. A meeting place for the business and cultural community, the central spot gives Britomart a run for its money with the space occupied by casual seating, colourful signposts and boxed planters dotted throughout.

There’s plenty to see and do on the east side of Colombo Street as well. Make for the shopping mecca of The Crossing and discover a wonderful web of wicked finds. Hidden lanes and stylish air bridges dominate this style maven’s heaven and you’re sure to find some killer culinary destinations. If it’s stylish looks you’re after, you won’t be disappointed with Witchery, Country Road, Sunglass Hut and Barkers. If you’re on the lookout for a little something for someone special, The Gift Shop is the go-to and has some beautiful treasures including clothes, soaps, candles, skincare and ceramics – some are locally handmade and others are from all around the world. Don’t forget to treat yourself, too! Pick up a coffee from the team at Coffee Culture, and if you’re feeling a bit peckish, Cookai Japanese Restaurant serves up some of the best eats in town on its sushi train with more than 80 options plus a menu to choose from.

The SALT District is a punch of 04 — The Terrace

05 — The Arts Centre

sass and grit, home to funky cafés, gorgeous bars and a plethora of places to eat thanks in no small part to Little High. Taking its title from nearby streets St Asaph, Lichfield and Tuam, SALT’s name took hold as it relates to the ideas of flavour, preservation, effectiveness and dependability. Within the SALT District is Lichfield Courtyard, a collective of eateries framed by some seriously impressive and funky murals.

From the river all the way down to Little High is the South Frame, linking the Health, Justice, Retail, and Innovation precincts. Gorgeous art illuminates the urbane office buildings, funky gathering spaces, gardens and laneways along the Greenway. The South Frame is the place for getting together, checking out markets, finding a feed or chillaxing with mates.

South of the South Frame is one of the city’s most exciting developments. The Welder, on the funky and bustling Welles Street, is a mix of artisan retail, hospitality and wellbeing businesses. The Welder’s ethos is an inspiring one –making people’s lives better by producing healthy products and services, and creating enjoyable and memorable experiences. In the ever-so-trendy building (which was created from six buildings dating as far back as 1880), discover some of the best baked goodies you’ll ever try at Grizzly Baked Goods, get your zen on with some yoga and meditation at O-Studio, ditch your plastic and fill your pantry at GoodFor, or try some tender, traditional Wagyu beef at Bar Yoku.

New Regent Street is a feast for more than just the eyes. Rife with colourful and ornate architecture, gorgeous boutiques, unassuming watering holes and classy restaurants, the street has earned a reputation as one of the prettiest little streets in the country. Draped in history, New Regent Street 01 — Exploring the laneways formally opened in 1932 and has been at the forefront of destinations to peruse, stroll down and dine in ever since.

If you can’t bear to leave (and we wouldn’t blame you), there are plenty of options for spending even more time in the inner city. Stay overnight in one of the coolest little Airbnb offerings in the Boxed Quarter, or stay for good. The East Frame will be home to thousands in the next few years, with world-class apartment and communal living from Fletcher Living. With many homes within shouting distance of the best playground in the country, Margaret Mahy Playground (OK, we’re a tad biased, but can you blame us?), the pump track and mini putt, it’s going to be a family affair in the central city. And we can’t wait!

The city is bursting with so many delicious dining choices, but where do you go when you can’t decide? Don’t battle it out and end up hangry, just head to one of the many dining hotspots – each is unique in its own right and offers a little something for everyone. Eats on Oxford will have your mouth watering as you walk through the door. Situated on the beautiful Avon River, you can grab takeaways and enjoy the view or chow down in the chilled atmosphere. Eats has got you covered from Malaysian to Mexican and everything in between. EntX is conveniently located in the middle of town and offers diverse eateries. The space is huge and has sweet, savoury, hot and cold dishes served up from more than 12 stalls. The Yard is a super-styly hospitality hotspot that shares its space with offices and retail spaces. There’s French crêpes, Korean pancakes and Otto Delicatessen, a hole-inthe-wall sandwich bar, to choose from among many others. While you’re in the SALT District, be sure to check out Little High. Always full of hustle and bustle, the eight eateries here satisfy your hunger and leave you wanting more.

High Street will take you where you want to be – from awardwinning sourdough and sweet and savoury pastries at Bohemian Bakery to the trendy back-alley bars of Stranges Lane. If fashion is your passion, Infinite Definite will take care of you and have you looking très chic. Head just west of High and you’ll find premium menswear store Cutler & Co and on-trend fashionistas Hunters and Collectors. Just a short stroll and you’ll end up in Nutron where you can release your inner tech head with home automation, e-scooters and audio, plus it’s an authorised Apple reseller and service provider. Getting hungry? Head to New Regent Street and check out the exquisite culinary fare at Story, which blends Indian flavours and local ingredients. For breakfast and lunch with a bit of a twist, head to Miro. If you’re looking for a little fun, pop to St Asaph Street where you can have a laugh with the team at CodeBreakers – these guys are the masters of escape rooms and will have you immersed in a world of puzzling fun.

So what are you waiting for? Get your walking shoes on and head into the coolest little city in the world. Take your sunnies, your camera and your curiosity because you never know what you might find. Below you’ll find the main suburbs, what they’re famous for and reasons to visit. Addington/Sydenham On the southwest edge of the CBD, Addington has shrugged off its industrial heritage, but not completely. The SOMO (South of Moorhouse Avenue) district fuses funky bars and restaurants with the institution that is The Court Theatre. Nearby Sydenham, also in the city’s south, has experienced a postquake renaissance and offers boutique shopping (centred on trendy retail centre The Colombo) and some good cafés, bars and dining options like Hello Sunday and 5th Street. Merivale North of the city centre lies the upmarket suburb of Merivale. Rocking a fierce mix of designer fashion, homewares, gourmet goodies, slinky bars and eateries (and having upmarket Merivale Mall as its hub) boosts the area’s street cred as a shopping mecca in addition to making it an essential after-dark haunt. Riccarton West of the city centre, Riccarton’s entertainment HQ combines a sprawling mall (New Zealand’s third-largest) and high street shopping with international eats and buzzing bars, with several motels nestled along its main drag. Woolston New vitality has been breathed into this former industrial area thanks to The Tannery. This Victorian-flavoured boutique/retail emporium epitomises destination shopping. You’ll find retro wares, gourmet foods, craft brewing, fashion and design stores and more on offer. Sumner While it suffered considerable damage in the earthquakes, the seaside village of Sumner remains minutes from the city and miles from care, and is laced with fine fare, slick bars and intriguing shops, all packaged in a stunning beachside setting. Lyttelton Home to the legendary Wunderbar and a scattering of hip bars, cafés, bangin’ restaurants, eclectic shops and a popular Saturday farmers’ market, this quirky portside town is a must during any visit to Christchurch.