Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula

The Garden City

For over a week, Andy and I have just been exploring Christchurch and its surrounding areas. We took a few days to camp around the Banks Peninsula, just southeast of Christchurch, and visit a couple of the small towns there, including Lyttelton and Akaroa.

Akaroa is a historic little village located within a harbour of the same name. We spent a day walking around town and visiting all the little shops (including a fudge shop!).

A war memorial

We also wandered along the waterfront. I cannot get over the color of the water here:

Back in Christchurch, we decided to visit the Botanic Gardens in Hagley Park, which our couch surfing host Paul recommended. It was huge!

Here are just a few of the many gardens there:

Rock garden:

Rose garden:

(unfortunately the roses were not in bloom)

New Zealand garden:

Water garden:

They even had a free museum:

Canterbury Museum

The museum had an impressive exhibit on the early Maori, as well as exhibits on earthquakes and native species (including rare and extinct birds like the moa). My favorite was on Canterbury's heritage detailing the first European settlers and the establishment of Christchurch as the first city in New Zealand.

A reenactment of a street in early Christchurch

We spent quite a bit of time there before heading out and wandering around the city center of Christchurch. The aftermath of the earthquake last year is so evident and we plan to follow up with a post about it soon.