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Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch - just like the rest of New Zealand
- is a city of contrasts. A place residents enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural
environment world-renowned for its beauty. Everywhere there is an understated elegance that speaks
of times gone by and promises a future where anything is possible.
Internationally famed as ‘The Garden City' Christchurch’s well-established expansive
parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city’s founding
fathers. The centrally-located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city
avenues, Victoria Square and spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River
Avon bear testimony to this legacy.
There is something different to see and do within one or two hours’ drive of Christchurch,
in any direction. To the east lie the open ocean and Banks Peninsula, featuring sheltered bays,
sandy beaches, bush clad valleys, rocky coastline and high, wild places. To the west, past fertile
plains and braided rivers, are forested foothills and lakes. Beyond them lie the tallest mountains
in Australasia, the Southern Alps, strung out parallel to the coastline. A journey north reveals
green rolling hills, forests and long, empty beaches, with the whale-watching centre of Kaikoura
about 2 hours’ drive away. Mt Hutt, the premier commercial ski area close to the city,
lies to the south west.
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Christchurch |
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11:37:25 
Fri, 12 Mar 2010
