This is an excellent and innovative museum, with displays of such varied topics that they will interest anyone of any age. To fully appreciate this museum you need to spend at least half a day here. I had a limited time in Christchurch, so only set aside two hours, which was nowhere near enough ... Read review
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Advantages: Something for everyone, free, great for children. Disadvantages: Needs best part of a day to fully appreciate.
This is an excellent and innovative museum, with displays of such varied topics that they will interest anyone of any age. To fully appreciate this museum you need to spend at least half a day here. I had a limited time in Christchurch, so only set aside two hours, which was nowhere near enough to see it all properly, and I found myself jogging round like Challenge Anneka in a speed-reading frenzy before it shut for the day to get everything in. ...cathedral, on the tram route, and on the edge of the lovely botanic gardens, so it is well located on the general tourist trail, and admission is free with a box for donations. They do run free guided tours, but it really is a good place to look around on your own, with enough writing to give you the facts, but great visual, audio and moving displays too.
The topics covered include the history of the city and area, Maori culture, a ... more
This is an excellent and innovative museum, with displays of such varied topics that they will interest anyone of any age. To fully appreciate this museum you need to spend at least half a day here. I had a limited time in Christchurch, so only set aside two hours, which was nowhere near enough to see it all properly, and I found myself jogging round like Challenge Anneka in a speed-reading frenzy before it shut for the day to get everything in.
The museum is centrally located near the cathedral, on the tram route, and on the edge of the lovely botanic gardens, so it is well located on the general tourist trail, and admission is free with a box for donations. They do run free guided tours, but it really is a good place to look around on your own, with enough writing to give you the facts, but great visual, audio and moving displays too.
The topics covered include the history of the city and area, Maori culture, a reconstructed street of Old Christchurch with shop windows, doctors surgeries etc., a really hands-on environmental education display, natural history and fossils, costume and fashion, an Antarctic exploration display, photography, glasswork, and a whole science area for children, which costs a small fee, but looked really fun with a chance to try out and explore unusual things. I'm a bit of a twitcher, so my favourite section was definitely the comprehensive display of stuffed native birds, past and present.
There is a good museum shop with souvenirs and relevent books, and a cafe overlooking the botanical gardens.
I would definitely recommend this to all visitors to Christchurch, especially those with children as it will really insprire them into thinking museums are fun, and they will definitely pick up loads of interesting facts without even trying. If you don't have long, just pop in to enjoy one or two sections which interest you. The museum is laid out in a way that you can easily pick and chose, and I can assure you it's definitely worth it.
Advantages: Beautiful city Disadvantages: Not very Kiwi
the feel of a very small city, but this is deceptive as maps of the sprawling suburbs show.
It reminded me of a mixture between Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews. Indeed, adjacent to the river on either side, the roads are called Oxford Terrace and Cambridge Terrace. This naming scheme can make navigation interesting on occasion - you start off on one road and it suddenly turns into a road with another name, then changes back again further down.
There is much for the tourist to do in Christchurch. I recommend the trams, the Botanic Gardens and the Canterburymuseum in particular. I would very much like to see the Christchurch Gondola, a cable car that takes you to nearby Mount Cavendish, but it is not very convenient to access if you only have a short time in the city and are travelling by public transport. The public transport is, in my (very ...
Advantages: Cheap, clean, central, comfortable Disadvantages: No privacy, poor bathrooms
travellers had left behind in the common room. There were security lockers but rather too few to go around. I didn't use the laundry myself, but the other residents said it was acceptable.
This hostel is located in the city centre, which is quite small ? it is only a 10 minute walk to the cathedral square, which is the heart of tourist Christchurch. It is about a minute's walk from the Canterburymuseum and the botanic gardens, both of which are well worth a visit. Do take the opportunity to go for a punt ride on the River Avon if you get a chance.
Opposite the hostel is a restaurant/bar called Dux De Lux which I can recommend you visit if you stay at the hostel. This offers an excellent range of vegetarian and fish dishes, with some of them vegan and gluten free. For more adventurous night life, there are many bars and restaurants within ...
