The Canterbury Museum
by kris-t
The tram runs down Worchester Boulevard with the Arts Centre an its left and the fine old buildings of the Canterbury Museum at the end of the street. The museum opened in 1870 under the directorship of Dr Julius von Haast, the distinguished explorer who was also the provincial geologist - and whose idea it was to build the museum. Daily 9AM-5:30PM summer, 9AM-5PM winter. Includes colonial, Maori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. Admission free to main exhibits (but donation appreciated), $2 for Discovery children's section
http://www.cantmus.govt.nz/
Driving
by keeweechic
Driving is all on the left-hand side of the road. You cannot turn right on a red light (as in the States), you must stop and wait for the green light.
The speed limit on the open road is 100km and in built up areas 50km. Seat belts must be worn at all times.
Beware! on country roads, don't drive too fast as you may turn a corner and encounter this scene in front of you. Have some patience and just enjoy NZ's 'little treasures' :-)
Christchurch Gondola
by kris-t
Christchurch Gondola, base station 10 Bridle Path Road (or take Best Attractions Express Shuttle from Cathedral Square, $5 adult, $3 child, or Leopard No. 28 Lyttleton Bus from Bus Exchange).
Daily 10AM-late.
$18 adult, $8 child (summer), $17 adult, $8 child (winter).
Ride in the enclosed gondola car up to the summit of the Port Hills then view the Heritage Time Tunnel, take an outdoor nature walk, or dine at the restaurant.
Three-course meal $60 including ride
A Christmas Haven not only at Christmas Time
by Kakapo2 about Christmas Jones
You might wonder why you see inflatable Santas and snowmen greeting you in Colombo Street all year round. But it is so simple: At Christmas Jones it is Christmas the whole year.
Adjacent to the shop is a Christmas Museum with a narrated animated Christmas show which displays hundreds of moving and talking pieces.
Already a visit to the shop is a step into a magic world. The 800 members of the Christmas Club help Mike Jones to always have unique Christmas items collected from around the world.
They also offer workshops and classes where you can learn to create your own festive decoration.
The shop is open thoughout the year Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, late Friday until 7pm, Sunday by appointment only; from October to December also on Sundays 10am-4pm.
The museum and Christmas show are open daily 5pm-10pm. Entry fee NZ$ 5. I would go for an inflatable Santa, snowman and Christmas Tree in a huge inflatable snow-ball... But I think there are one million smaller items which are easier to transport as a souvenir... ;-) depends on the item
The Orbiter for Shopping Sprees
by Kakapo2
If you plan to shop till you drop, the Orbiter is the bus to go with. It connects all the big shopping malls in Christchurch, which are:
Westfield Riccarton
Northlands
The Palms
Eastgate
This bus route also services Barrington Mall which is more for the daily needs, not a mall to spends hours in.
Other points where the bus passes are Princess Margaret Hospital, St. Martins and the University.
It is part of the Metro System, so with a Metro Card you would only pay $4.20 (as Aug. 2008) to get around the whole day. Single fare $ 2.80.
If you are in the city centre, I would take a red bus from the Bus Exchange to Riccarton Mall, and then get on the Orbiter to the other malls.
Bus lines to Riccarton operate every some minutes, for example routes 5 (Hornby), 19 (Burnside), 21 (Ilam), 81 (Lincoln), 83 (Hei Hei) and 84 (Russley). They all depart from platform B (downstairs) of the Bus Exchange.
Also route 3 (Avonhead) passes at Riccarton Mall, but this one departs from platfrom C.
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Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings
experiencing life at the Antarctic
Victoria Lake
Inside the Centre
