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The Suburbs
Fendelton and Merivale are comprised of classy and expensive real estates. The mall in Merivale is one of the city’s best shopping places. Port Hills, however, offers a clear view of the city from Summit Road. One side presents spectacular views of the city, the plains, and the Southern Alps, while the other introduces the port of Lyttelton and the hills of Banks Peninsula. The latter offers a variety of exotic nuts and herbs. It also offers gondola rides, which is one of the town’s attractions. At the end of the ride are souvenir shops, a restaurant, and a bar. There are also many gardens in Port Hills. The Garden of Gethsemane, a private garden-cum-commercial nursery, is worth a visit.
The airport of Sumner is located on one end of the town but there are several attractions worth visiting here. There is the Transport Museum, as well as an interesting Antarctic Center. The Orana Park, a safari-style zoo, is located nearby. Those with a liking for spirits should visit the many wineries that surround the rural outskirts of Christchurch. The northeast of Christchurch introduces Queen Elizabeth II Park, which was once a stadium and swimming sports complex built for the 1974 Commonwealth Games. However, it has been renovated to a family retreat with water slides, go-karts, and other recreational facilities. For other beautiful and unspoiled areas, visit Diamond Harbor, Okains Bay, Okuti Valley, and Port Levy.
Of course, the most conspicuous entities in Christchurch are the churches in Akaroa. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Patrick is the oldest building in its original form. Built in 1864, it is the third church that is attended by the French and Irish people of Akaroa. St. Peter’s Anglican Church was built in 1863 in a Protestant architectural style. The most distinctive of all churches is the tiny Kaik, a Maori church 6 km (4 miles) south of the township along the foreshore. This building is a reminder of the once strong Maori presence in Akaroa Harbor. Turning inland from the peninsula, Christchurch has a huge hinterland. A day trip to Hanmer Springs will offer spas, horse riding, and mountain walks. It is also home to the old Queen Mary Hospital that was built as a recuperative center for returning war veterans and was later turned into a rehabilitation center for recovering alcoholics. Although still standing, it is less active now. A nicer and more pleasant way to see the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps would be through the TransAlpine Express. This popular train leaves Christchurch and heads across the plains up into the mountains of Arthur’s Pass. The return trip would take one day. Advanced booking is recommended as this ride is remarkably popular, having claimed the title as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Magnificent scenery abound, especially during winter when the mountains are covered with snow. The plains crossed during the train ride are the biggest and richest cropping areas in New Zealand. Last but not least, the Lincoln University is definitely worth a stop. In a way, there could never be an end to the beauty of the outskirts in Christchurch! |
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Away
from the city center, northwest towards Fendelton
and Merivale
The
port of Lyttelton
is located beyond the Hills. It is an extremely charming place with cute
cottages placed on the slopes. A drive over the hill will lead to the
seaside suburbs of Ferrmead,
Redcliffs,
and Sumner.
The
real gem in the suburbs would be Akaroa, which is approximately
80 km (50 miles) from Christchurch. It presents a certain charming colonial
style, as it was once a French settlement. Although the English finally
outnumbered them, the town has retained its former influences, with street
names such as Rue Lavaud and Rue Jolie. Town planning rules protect the
area, thus ensuring the originality of this place. A noteworthy site to
visit is the Langlois-Eteveneaux House, which has an attached colonial
museum. The town of Akaroa also offers numerous bars, restaurants and
cafes. Fresh fish are sold at the wharf and the Akaroa Harbor is
the gateway to the home of the rare Hector’s dolphin.