OUTDOORS
Snow-biking with Arahi Tours – the ulti mate winter experience.
DESTINATION
Christchurch
STORY BY JOYA DEVINE
With Easter ti me and the school holidays
coming up, it’s a great opportunity to head
away for a break to the South Island’s
largest urban centre – Christchurch city.
With a populati on of just over 400,000, the
sprawling metropolis lies on the coastal
fringe of a broad alluvial plain. The city has
so many att racti ve physical features to enjoy:
the prett y Port Hills, a beauti ful coastline,
tranquil rivers – the Heathcote and the Avon
which thread their way through the city.
There’s also stunning Banks Peninsula and the
surrounding splendour of the Southern Alps. If a touch of family-friendly adventure is
your thing, Christchurch Adventure Park
is your base for mountain biking, zipline
and sightseeing adventures. With a whole
host of Easter acti viti es and school holiday
programmes, there’s something for everyone
in your family to enjoy. Just a 20 minute drive
from the centre of the city and you could be
racing through the valley on the zipline tour,
taking in the stunning views on Christchurch’s
longest Chairlift , or simply relaxing on the
large Café deck taking in the stunning natural
surrounds..
There are so many exciti ng opti ons when
contemplati ng a family trip to the garden
city, with loads of fun things to do and places
to see on your holiday. Christchurch Botanic
Gardens is the perfect spot for a picnic, with
plenty of trees to climb, a large playground
and super-sized paddling pool. Meanwhile,
Taylors Mistake, which is popular with
runners, hikers and bikers, has a stunning
coast, with guarantees you’ll spot some
wildlife along the way. New Brighton Beach is
famous for its pier, its sea view library and is
great for a spot of kite fl ying. Waikuku Beach
has a domain with a playground, paddling
pool, fl ying fox, tennis court basketball court
and skateboard area, as well as nearby forest
walks. Sprawling Hagley Park in the heart of
Christchurch off ers green spaces, dott ed with
century old trees and beauti ful pathways for
lovely long strolls. Arahi Tours is a tour company like no other.
Owner Vicky Eastwood off ers personalised
private tours for small groups, visiti ng places
that oft en only the locals know about. Every
tour is personally designed just for you, which
is why every one of her clients has the ti me
of their life. Popular tour opti ons include
The Big Explore, a relaxed and inti mate full
day tour around Christchurch, Lytt elton and
Sumner; Catch the Sunrise tours are popular
with April and May providing stunning photo
opportuniti es. This winter promises great
adventures for anyone wanti ng to explore
Canterbury’s winter wonderlands, with the
added opti on of skiing and now snow biking,
an exciti ng snow adventure that anyone can
do – it’s just like riding a bike!
A defi nite must for keen shoppers is Dress-
Smart, Hornby. Ideally situated for travellers
on their way into Christchurch, and only 10
Dress-Smart Hornby – the ulti mate fashion
retail experience.
Christchurch Adventure Park’s Chairlift
combining adventure with stunning views.
minutes away from the Christchurch Airport,
they really are your ulti mate outlet shopping
desti nati on where you will fi nd all your main
street favourite brands.
Despite the earthquakes having shaken
up many parts of Christchurch, the inner-
city retail precinct conti nues to take shape
with new shops opening all the ti me,
off ering all manner of retailers and a
multi tude of spectacular eati ng and drinking
establishments.
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