Attractions

Christchurch prides itself almost equally on its arts, sports, history, and gardens. There are a number of theaters and art galleries, along with several excellent museums, parks, and gardens to explore. Attractions and events are listed in the daily newspaper, The Press, and in the monthly Tourist Times, available free at the visitor center.

The Top Attractions

The hub of the city center and an excellent starting point is Cathedral Square. There are several restaurants, hotels, duty-free shops, and attractions within an easy stroll. It's also where you'll find the Wizard of Christchurch, who performs daily at 1pm in summer and when the weather cooperates in winter. The Wizard stands above the crowd on a ladder, ranting and raving about all things from bureaucracy, love, and religion to Americans and politicians. He's an essential Christchurch personality -- quirky, smart, and not to be trifled with intellectually. Be sure you know what you're talking about if you pick an argument. You'll also find Chalice here. It's a massive new sculpture created by internationally renowned, Christchurch-based sculptor Neil Dawson.

Additional Attractions

Animal lovers who are short on time may have to choose between Orana Park and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Both are closer to the airport than to Central City, so either could make a good last-minute stop. Personally, I'm a big-cat fan, so I'd opt for Orana, where things African are to the fore. But if you want a guaranteed sighting of a kiwi before you leave New Zealand, go to Willowbank.

Crossing the Harbor -- Take the stunning scenic drive over the Port Hills to Lyttelton and once you've explored the little village, leap aboard the Diamond Harbour Ferry (tel. 03/366-8855), located on Lyttelton Wharf. For the small sum of NZ$10 (US$7.10/£3.60) for adults and NZ$5 (US$3.55/£1.80) for children ages 5 to 15, you can travel across to the other side of the harbor and back. It's a walk uphill once you get there, but you can catch your breath over coffee, or a cool beer at historic Godley House (tel. 03/329-4880; www.godleyhouse.co.nz). A ferry run can also drop you off at Quail Island for the day. This former quarantine station and leper colony was also used by Scott and Shackleton as home base for their Antarctic expeditions. It abounds with interesting walks and historic points of interest. Get dropped off by Black Cat Cruises, B Jetty, Port of Lyttelton (tel. 0800/436-574; www.blackcat.co.nz).

Double Deal -- Get two rides for the price of one with the Double Deal offered by Christchurch Gondola (tel. 03/384-0700) and Christchurch Tramway (tel. 03/366-7830). Pay just NZ$30 (US$22/£11) for adults and NZ$15 (US$11/£6) for children ages 4 to 14.

Maori Magic -- Tucked away in suburban Christchurch sits the largest urban marae and carved ancestral house (Aoraki) in New Zealand. Nga Hau E Whau National Marae, 250 Pages Rd., Linwood (tel. 03/388-7685; www.nationalmarae.co.nz), offers a number of daytime and evening cultural experiences and you'll be impressed by the bounty of fine Maori carving on site. This is the best place in the South Island to enjoy a traditional hangi and cultural experience.

Parks & Gardens

Christchurch isn't called the Garden City for nothing, and taking pride of place among them all are the Botanic Gardens.

Mona Vale, 63 Fendalton Rd. (tel. 03/348-9660 or 03/348-7011; fax 03/348-7011), has 5.5 hectares (14 acres) of rolling lawns, rose gardens, fountains, and a grand turn-of-the-20th-century homestead, all open to the public free of charge. The homestead restaurant serves lunch from noon to 2pm, morning and afternoon teas from 10am to 3:30pm. Reservations are essential. Guided garden tours are held daily from November through March.

The Avon River runs along the border of Mona Vale, and a punting excursion will give you a peek into some of the beautiful private gardens on the river. The punts operate October through April, daily from 9am to 4:30pm, or on request. The cost is NZ$25 (US$18/£9) for 20 minutes, NZ$30 (US$21/£11) for 30 minutes.

The 2 1/2-hour Garden Drive, described in Christchurch Scenic Drive Guide brochure at the visitor center, includes both the Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale. Although much of the tour highlights architecture rather than actual gardens, it will give you a good look around the northwest suburbs, where there are many exquisite private home gardens.

Two other self-guided drives in the same brochure cover the Port Hills Drive and the Avon River Drive, which are not exactly garden tours, but will give you an excellent overview of the city and its natural landscape. The Port Hills Drive is especially worth doing for its spectacular views from Alps to ocean.

During the 4-day Cathedral Garden Festival, many of Christchurch's private gardeners throw open their gates. It's held annually in late November. Ask at the visitor center for more information.

If you take the spectacular drive up Dyer's Pass Road and over the Port Hills to Governor's Bay, you'll find a cluster of private gardens open to the public (ask at the visitor center for details). Barry Sligh at Taunton Gardens (tel. 03/329-9746) is an enthusiastic plant breeder whose stunning 2 hectares (5 acres) of woodland gardens are open September to April Tuesday through Sunday for NZ$12 (US$9/£5). Just down the road is one of the most famous structured gardens in New Zealand: Ohinetahi (tel. 03/329-9852), owned by architect Sir Miles Warren and open by appointment for NZ$26 (US$19/£10).

The Wineries

There are now over 40 wineries in the Canterbury region, making this the fourth-largest winemaking area in the country. The combination of long hours of sunshine; stony, free-draining soils; low rainfall; extended autumns; and cool winters produces grapes with complex and developed flavors. The region is well suited to the production of red wines such as cabernet, merlot, and pinot noir. The main growing areas are Waipara, Christchurch, and Banks Peninsula. Look out for the development of the Waipara Wine Village & Day Spa, which is expected to open in 2009. The attraction will include a 132-room Grand Mercure hotel, a wine bar and restaurant, international ale house, wine tasting facilities, and a luxury day spa.

For details on February's Christchurch Food & Wine Festival, call tel. 03/371-1761, and for March's Waipara Wine & Food Festival, call tel. 0800-166-071 in New Zealand.

The visitor center's brochure on the Waipara Valley Wineries Wine Trail has a map showing the main wineries. Here are a few suggestions to whet your appetite.

Canterbury House Vineyards State Highway 1, Waipara. (tel. 03/314-6900; www.canterburyhouse.com), planted their first vines in 1994 and pinot noir is their flagship. They're open daily from 10am to 5pm for tastings and they also have a large restaurant. Daniel Schuster Wines, 192 Reeces Rd., Omihi, North Canterbury (tel. 03/314-5901; www.danielschusterwines.com), is one of my personal favorites. It's a few kilometers north of Waipara Valley in the Omihi area, and international wine consultant and owner Danny Schuster is well worth meeting. You can visit the tasting room and peruse wine for sale, or take a more comprehensive cellar tour and enjoy barrel tastings with the winemaker by prior arrangement. The vineyard produces pinot noir, chardonnay, and Riesling.

Morworth Estate, Block Road, RD6, Christchurch (tel. 03/349-5014; www.morworth.com), is a state-of-the-art winery with an excellent contemporary restaurant complex. It was established in 1993 and has quickly established a reputation for the production of excellent sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, rosé, Gewürztraminer, pinot gris, and Riesling varieties. Pegasus Bay Winery & Restaurant, Stockgrove Road, Amberley (tel. 03/314-6869; www.pegasusbay.com), is a small vineyard and winery run by the Donaldson family, who have been seriously involved with wine for over 30 years. A 100-seat restaurant serves top-quality cuisine. Specialties include sauvignon/semillon, chardonnay, merlot cabernet, pinot noir, and Riesling.

Well Oiled --If you're in the Waipara Valley, make sure you visit Athena Olive Groves, 164 MacKenzies Rd. (tel. 03/314-6774; www.athenaolives.co.nz), and try their fabulous range of extra virgin and flavored olive oils, plus their pickled olives. Open daily from 10am until 5pm.