Are there any good beaches near Christchurch in New Zealand

Asks danmiller103

A. The two main beach areas can be found in and around the suburbs of New Brighton and Sumner which look out onto the Pacific Ocean. New Brighton reached its hey-day in the 1970s and much of its architecture e.g. the concrete pier, is a testament to that era. It is still a great place to visit, especially as it has miles of sandy beaches to tempt you, plus hotels, bars and restaurants. Many buses run from the city centre to New Brighton, every half an hour, so it is really easy to visit on a day trip.

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If you stay here for longer you can also visit the Queen Elizabeth II Park, built for the Commonwealth Games in 1974 and the wildlife reserves of Te Huingi Manu and Te Huingi Martu in nearby Bromley.

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Sumner, and nearby Redcliffs, are popular weekend destinations for Christchurch's inhabitants, so there is loads to do here - with lots of bars, cafes, restaurants and craft shops as well as fantastic sandy beaches. If you get the chance visit Cave Rock at low tide, when it can be accessed, it is full of holes and crevices and very spooky.

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The nearest beach to the city centre can be found at Waimari, a long stretch of sandy beach near the mouth of the River Avon, about 7km from the city centre.

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Q. What else is there to do in Christchurch

A. Being the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, Christchurch has a lot to offer the tourist, some of the best things to see and do include the following:

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Other buildings of interest in the Square include the Government Building, the Old Post Office, which dates back to 1876, and the Southern Encounter Aquarium.

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Gondola Ferry: is a great way to see the city at a very relaxed and even pace. Gondola cable cars climb up the summit of Mount Cavendish (950m) and offer views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula (and its volcanic rock and outcrops) and the whole of the Southern Alps.

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Town Hall & Convention Centre: you can't miss the Town Hall, as it is an amazing and huge minimalist structure that stands out like a sore thumb among the surrounding Gothic architecture. It is the site of the city's largest and most dominant theatre, with restaurants and cafes.

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Provincial Government Buildings: were designed by one of New Zealand's most prolific architects, Benjamin Mountfort between 1857 and 1865 in the Gothic style - and are a great tourist attraction.

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Canterbury Museum: was founded in 1870 by the archaeologist Julius Haast and its best known for its Antarctica exhibitions and its Maori artefacts.

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Church of St Michael and All Angels: dates back to 1875 and is made of native black pine or Matai timber.

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Arts Centre: can be found in the former buildings of the University of Canterbury and date back to 1874. Today it houses a theatre, cinemas, craft shops, restaurants, cafes and often plays host to many arts touring companies.

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Hagley Park: contains Christchurch's famous Botanic Gardens - the best on the South Island and some say the whole of New Zealand - and the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, which contains about 5,000 works of art by New Zealanders and international artists alike.

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Deans Bush: is only a ten minute walk from the city centre, but it offers an amazing contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life as it is an area of native forest over 500 years old, full of Kahikatea trees. It is also home to Deans Cottage, the oldest building in Christchurch, which dates back to 1843.

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Orana Park: is the city's zoo, set in spectacular parkland it has many native animals and birds, plus many imported species.

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Air Force World: is an aeroplane museum located at Wigram, a former RNZAF airbase. It has many old planes, particularly from WWII, plus three flight simulators.

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Q. What is the currency in New Zealand

A. The NZ Dollar.

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Q. What is the time difference between New Zealand and the UK

A. The time difference is GMT +12 hours (GMT +13 hours during the UK winter).

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Q. What is the official language

A. English and Maori.

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Q. Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand

A. Unlike Australia, you do not need a visa if you have a valid European passport.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. November to April is the best time to visit, with the best weather although it can often be the busiest time.

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By Karen Anderson