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Saturday, December 08
NZ Arrival - Auckland - Christchurch
Arrive in Auckland early in the morning and catch a domestic flight to Christchurch. Spend the remainder of the day and night in Christchurch, The Garden City.
Tour the Cathedral and meet the Wizard in the Square then take the Gondola to the top of a nearby mountain to get the panoramic view and enjoy dinner. Or... spend the afternoon at the beach!
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city and beautifully encapsulates the best of what New Zealand has to offer. This is a vibrant city of exciting festivals, art galleries, theatres and great shopping. Award-winning attractions are available within the city and the surrounding countryside.
Christchurch is a bustling commercial centre located in the heart of the rich and fertile Canterbury Plains. The Copthorne Central Hotel overlooks beautiful Victoria Square and the tranquil River Avon, and is located only 2 minutes walk from the centre of the city.
Flight Arrival Info
Arrive Auckland, NZ (AKL) (7:15am NZT)
Bags will need to be collected and cleared through customs then returned to Air NZ for the flight to Christchurch (CHC).
AKL - CHC Flight Info
Air New Zealand 0509
Depart Auckland (AKL): 9:00am
Arrive Christchurch (CHC): 10:20am
Rental Car Info
Budget Rent a Car New Zealand - *ZZ908H* Compact Automatic
Sunday, December 09, 2007 - Friday, December 21, 2007
Your car rental includes unlimited miles and standard CDW (collision damage waiver) insurance - please note, a deductible applies (additional insurance to cover this may be taken at time of rental). There are several options for additional insurance, information and rates may be obtained from the budget representative when collecting your vehicle. There is a one time charge of NZ$22 applicable to hires commencing or ending at any airport location or the ferry terminal - paid directly to Budget at the time of hire. Airport and vehicle recovery fees may be applied and are payable direct to Budget. There are no refunds issued for unused days once rental has commenced.
Driving
CHC to Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central
(Google Maps Driving Directions)
24 minutes
12km
Internet Cafés / Cyber Cafés
Vadal Internet Fone Shop
57/59 Cathedral Square
Christchurch
03-3772381
Cyber Cafe Christchurch
127 Gloucester Street
30 meters from Colombo Street
Christchurch
6433655183
Internet access
4 Farmers Food Court
767 Colombo Street
Christchurch
Websites
Christchurch, NZ (Wikipedia entry)
Alpine Pacific Triangle Visitor’s Guide
Christchurch Activities Info
Christchurch Gondola - Unique 360-degree panoramic views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as you rise to the summit of Christchurch's famous extinct volcano. Relax and enjoy a snack at the Summit Cafe, shop at Discover New Zealand and visit the Heritage Time Tunnel Experience.
The Christchurch Gondola Base Station is located 15 minutes drive from central Christchurch. Open daily, from 10am
10 Bridle Path Road
Heathcote
Telephone: (+64 3) 384 0700
Email: gondola@gondola.co.nz
Website: http://www.gondola.co.nz
Gondola tickets are NZ$22pp
Gondola/Tram Combo tickets are NZ$30pp
Christchurch Tramway - (a 25-minute tour through central Christchurch) Christchurch's heritage trams are a great way to experience the heritage and charm that makes Christchurch special, with an informative and entertaining commentary.
The tramway offers a quality inner city tour experience that combines the heritage of the trams, attractions and historic buildings with the culture of the Garden City.
The trams follow a 2.5 kilometre loop around central Christchurch taking in some interesting sites. These include Cathedral Square, Southern Encounter Aquarium, The Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Punting on the Avon, Victoria Square, and New Regent Street to name just a few.
The operating hours of the trams are:
9am - 9pm (1 November - 31 March) with the last tram leaving Cathedral Square 30 minutes prior to closing time.
7 Tramway Lane
PO Box 872
Christchurch
Telephone: (+64 3) 366 7830
Email: enquiries@tram.co.nz
Website: http://www.tram.co.nz
International Antarctic Centre - The World's Best Antarctic Attraction - A Unique Experience. Christchurch is the world's aerial gateway to the Antarctic and has been proudly associated with the Antarctic since the early heroic era when Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton visited Christchurch on their way down to the Ice.
The International Antarctic Centre is a modern day working Antarctic campus and is home to the United States, the Italian, and the NZ Antarctic Programmes.
The Antarctic attraction is located in the heart of this campus and has twice been voted the best attraction in NZ. It is a fun interactive and hands on experience the whole family will enjoy. Slide down a snow slope in the world's first indoor Snow & Ice Experience, throw a snowball, or try on your own Antarctic clothing at the Camp Site area. The audio visual and interactive presentations are fantastic and the children will enjoy meeting "Pom Pom" the penguin and "Slip" the seal! The outdoor Antarctic Hägglund Ride is a "must do"- a 10 - 15 minute Adventure Course ride on a genuine Antarctic vehicle. Set aside 2-3 hours for your visit and make time to have a meal in the Antarctic Café & Bar.
The attraction is open seven days a week from 9am.
Orchard Road (next to Christchurch Airport, 15 minutes drive from the city)
Freephone: 0508 Penguin
Telephone: (+ 64 3) 358-9896
Website: http://www.iceberg.co.nz
Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House - Located in the heart of Christchurch's Cathedral Square, Southern Encounter Aquarium & Kiwi House is designed to take you on a journey of discovery to explore the splendour of the South Island's unique aquatic wildlife as well as lively NZ Kiwi, Tuatara and native Geckos.
Over 120 different species are displayed including Sharks, Rays, massive Eels, Seahorses, Octopus, Blue Freshwater Crayfish and much more. Visitors can view native freshwater fish set in a simulated glow worm grotto, stroll across the swing bridge for views over the facility and enjoy a range of short wildlife films in the theatre.
Scheduled feeds enable visitors to either feed the fish or observe aquarists interacting with marine creatures. This inner city venue is the perfect location for cocktail functions and product launches.
Southern Encounter is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 9.00am until 5.00pm.
Kiwi are on display from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
Cathedral Square West (entry via Visitor Centre or Pathway Shop)
Telephone: (+64 3) 359 7109
Website: http://www.southernencounter.co.nz
Christchurch Cathedral - Up on top is about the only place close where you can get a bit of a view because the city itself is F-L-A-T. One hundred percent flat. But you will have to work for the view as there are quite a few steps that get more exciting and narrow as you go up. The views across the city to the Southern Alps make it worth while.
New Brighton Beach - the closest to the city offers long uncrowded stretches of sand and dunes. Walk for miles, surf cast, surf or you can just hide out in the sand dunes.
Sumner Beach - 25mins from downtown you can walk along the promenade and waters edge, take a dip to explore the inside or outside of Cave Rock or dine in one of the many excellent restaurants.
Also - Hanmer Springs... Ashley Gorge... Peel Forest... Banks Peninsula... Timaru...
With 87 standard rooms, 43 deluxe rooms, 5 family suites and 7 deluxe suites. All rooms include direct dial phone, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, electric blankets and SKY TV. Non-smoking, interconnecting and rooms for guests with disabilities are also available.
Guest services include 24-hour room service, guest laundry, laundry/drycleaning service, babysitting, foreign currency exchange facility, safe deposit facility and ski storage. The Terrace View Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant specialising in the best of New Zealand food and wine. Colombo's Bar is open daily.
- Internet access: wireless broadband in public areas, high-speed access in rooms
- Parking: ???
Christchurch Hotel Info
Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central (Google Maps Driving Directions)
Standard Room
776 Colombo Street
P.O. Box 13159
Christchurch
T: +64 3 379 5880
