Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 03-366 6768;
www.boatsheds.co.nz
;
2 Cambridge Tce; 7am-5pm)
Dating from 1882, the photo-
genic green-and-white Antigua Boat Sheds hires out row boats ($35), kayaks ($12), Cana-
dian canoes ($35) and bikes (adult/child $10/5); all prices are per hour. There's also an ex-
cellent cafe.
Punting on the Avon
MAP
BOATING
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.punting.co.nz
;
2 Cambridge Tce; adult/child $25/12; 9am-6pm Oct-Mar, 10am-4pm Apr-Sep)
The
Antigua Boat Sheds are the starting point for half-hour punting trips through the botanical
gardens. Relax in a flat-bottomed boat while a strapping lad in Edwardian clobber, armed
with a long pole, does all the work. Other boats depart from the
Worcester St bridge
and punt
through the ruined city centre.
Swimming & Surfing
Despite having separate names for different sections, it's one solid stretch of sandy beach
that spreads north from the estuary of the Avon and Heathcliff rivers. Closest to the city
centre is
New Brighton
, with a distinctive pier reaching 300m out to sea and a pedestrian
mall lined with phoenix palms. On either side,
South New Brighton
and
North Beach
are quieter
options, as is
Waimairi
, further north.
Smaller but prettier
Sumner
is at the foot of the Port Hills, on the south side of the estu-
ary. With good eateries, accommodation and an art-house cinema, it's an easy place to vis-
it and a relaxing place to stay, only 12km from the city centre.
Further east around the headland, isolated
Taylors Mistake
has the cleanest water of any
Christchurch beach and some good surfing breaks. Beginners should stick to Sumner or
New Brighton.
Walking
The i-SITE has up-to-date information on walks around Christchurch. Some popular
tracks, particularly around the Port Hills, were closed at the time of writing due to rock
falls and instability following the earthquakes, so it's vital to check the current situation
before setting off (search
www.ccc.govt.nz
with the keywords 'Port Hills').
For great views of the city, take the walkway from the
Sign of the Takahe
on Dyers Pass
Rd. The various 'Sign of the…' places in this area were originally roadhouses built during
the Depression as rest stops. This walk leads up to the
Sign of the Kiwi
through Victoria Park
and then along Summit Rd to Scotts Reserve, with several lookout points along the way.
