Known as the Garden City. Every one has a lovely colorful flower garden and the city parks are outstanding.

It reminds me of an English country town. Nice neo-gothic cathedral and go look at the slate tablets outside which have all the names of the first immigrants on them. Great restaurants on Cashel Street.

MO'S MUST SEE's:

• Explore the International Antarctic Center
• Take a garden tour
• Punt down the River Avon
• Great museum and art gallery
• Take a wine tour
• Visit a fishing village on the Banks Peninsula, take a cruise
• Take a hot air balloon ride
• Take a tram car ride around town
• Take the Trans-Alpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast. A lovely journey thorough the Southern Alps.

Recommend staying at one of the Wilderness Lodges in the region of Arthurs Pass.