The Devon Bed & Breakfast Guest House
69 Armagh Street, Christchurch, 8013, New Zealand
99%
of people enjoy staying here
14 Opinions
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- Very Good
- 2
- Average
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- Terrible
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More about Christchurch
Photos
Ready to roll....
The Whanau with the Crier
Up and down
Nigel Cooper at work.
Forum Posts
Campervan theft
by briggsfamily
I've heard that there is a lot of break ins to campervans in car parks whilst the tourist are stocking up supplies or visiting a site. How true is this and does it happen lots??
Re: Campervan theft
by amckenzie
which country are you in? have camped happily and safely in uk and france with no break-ins at all.
Re: Campervan theft
by allikat
Hi,
As you are asking this in the Christchurch, New Zealand forum, I guess that's where you are asking about :-)
Yes, it does happen, but the situation isn't rife. Some tourist sites can be a bit out of the way and those can be targetted, so it makes sense to keep valuables locked out of the way. Some are now employing volunteer groups to keep an eye on the car park, particularly in the Rotorua area which has had some problems lately.
I think the best advice is to keep any valuables such as passports and wallets on your person, and park the campervan in a prominent, easily visible space, and make sure it is properly locked. Don't let the worry spoil your holiday, but do stay aware of the risks.
Re: Campervan theft
by briggsfamily
thanks for the replies and advise. We are travelling on the south island of NZ only.
Re: Campervan theft
by kzapanta
was not a problem or concern for us when we did it for two weeks.
It helps that we stay away from tourist car parks/overnight sites.
Re: Campervan theft
by Kakapo2
Unfortunately such things do happen, and of course, most tourists will tell you that they did not experience any problem at all. They can tell you what happened to them - not to the rest and those who were unlucky.
It happens at supermarkets in Christchurch, but not at a daily basis, that burglars target carparks, and just two weeks ago thieves broke into the car of a scientist from Dunedin and stole her scientific work of two years. We hear it, and we read about it in the paper every now and then.
BUT - Christchurch is not mini Chicago but not 100% safe either. Nothing must happen but something can happen. But there are not thousands of thieves waiting at every corner, so do not get paranoid. Just take care, and keep your stuff safe.
Never leave valuables in your van, like camera, laptop or whatever you carry with you. And never leave things of interest on seats, so everybody can see them from the outside. And do not do things you would not dare to do at home.
Take the warning at carparks seriously: Lock it or lose it. And do not forget: A car or a campervan is not a safe for valuables.
Travel Tips for Christchurch
The arts/souvenir market in Cathedral Square
by Kate-Me
I was expecting this market to be really super touristy and a bit trinkety, since it is right in the middle of Cathedral Square (not sure how many days a week it's on), but it's anything but. There are many different stalls here - selling everything from polar fleece hat/scarves, to carved greenstone and bone jewellery, to African jewellery, quality souvenirs, and other crafts.
Well worth a look. I spent quite a lot of time here and didn't come across those 'seen it all before in 100 other souvenir shops' stalls.
Arts Festival Biennially in Winter
by Kakapo2
The Christchurch Arts Festival is held biennially in mid-winter. The last time it took place was in 2009. The next one is scheduled for 4 to 21 August 2011.
The opening multimedia show is normally held on Cathedral Square, with a big dance and light show. And you cannot avoid to at least stumble over some of the art as Cathedral Square features as the heart of the Festival.
The ONE WinterGarden with an ice skating rink has become part of the festival on Cathedral Square. In one year there was a spectacular flower pod sculpture - Snow Orchids - beside the Winter Garden that dwarved the Cathedral from a certain angle. The ONE WinterGarden was made up of an array of performance installations placed around three performance venues: the ChristChurch Cathedral, the Futuro and the TelstraClear Club.
The Festival presents a broad programme of theatre, dance, music, opera, literary and visual arts, at many venues, right from Cathedral Square, to the Arts Centre, to Lyttelton. 70 to 80 % of the programme is New Zealand-sourced, the rest is international. From Cuban dance to Circus Oz, from Chamber Music to textile art exhibitions - you get it all.
Check the official website to find out what interests you most.
Christchurch City Walks
by freshia
Pick up the Christchurch City Walk flyer from Tourist Information Center and start the walk from Cathedral. There is a clear signage along the path, you can't miss it :)
The Walk is interesting as it covers all things to see within christchurch. And a cheap alternative to take the TRAM. It takes 2 hours walking slowly to complete the circuit.
Victoria Park: Plants, Picnics, Views and Displays
by Kakapo2
Victoria Park - not to confuse with Victoria Square in the city centre - is a fabulous park at the foot of the Port Hills, opened on 22 June 1897 to the commemoration of the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It has many great features and is easily to reach by public transport and a really little walk. You take bus #10 (Cashmere) and get off at the final stop at the Sign of the Takahe. A shared car/walkway leads up to the park. If you walk it should not take you longer than 10 minutes to the Visitor Centre.
This Visitor Centre is a great place. First, you have great views over the city. Second, there are great displays which explain the geological history of the Port Hills and Lyttelton Harbour, the volcanic activity, and all kinds of rock samples show you of which material the hills are made up. Third, you find a lot of free maps of the Port Hills with all walkways (and some maps which cost 50 cents).
Around the Visitor Centre all plants have name tags, so you can learn a lot about the flora of the area.
Finally, and this is why most people come to Victoria Park: There are many nice picnic spots, a playground, a lot of lawns where you can lie down and relax - and from nearly every place you can enjoy the fabulous views over the city and the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. And sure, as you are already a bit up the hill towards the Sign of the Kiwi you also get a nice and close impression of the Port Hills.
Car access is via Dyers Pass Road (just follow Colombo Street to its southern end, and then drive up the hill, the street continues as Dyers Pass Road). At the Sign of the Takahe (big spectacular castle-like granite building to your left) you either carry on, and turn left into the park after about 2 km. Or you turn left at the Sign of the Takahe, and immediately to the right. This would be the shared narrow road for cars and walkers.
If you carry on walking uphill from Victoria Park you reach the Sign of the Kiwi (on Harry Ell Track) after 20 to 30 minutes.
Punting on the Avon River
by ATXtraveler
Although I would recommend this as a thing to do, and have written more extensively in that section, Punting is actually a mode of transportation around Christchurch, so if you wish to take advantage of this ride, then go right ahead!
Hotel Helper
Christchurch
Questions and Answers
Q: Hanmer Connection Shuttle stop location? "I've sent an email requesting a booking for the Hanmer Connection shuttle from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs. Their website..."
A: "no reason for them not to leave from Rolleston Ave..there is no traffic disruption on Rolleston Ave
there s a YMCA and a YHA in walking distance, a couple of B&Bs nearby..."
Read 5 Replies ยป
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