Christchurch

Centred around the willow-lined River Avon, Christchurch is compact and easy to explore, with a refreshingly friendly buzz. But far from being a quiet backwater, this is a vibrant city where there is seldom a dull moment. There are numerous street performers, lively markets, music venues and theatres, as well as more cafes, bars and restaurants than any other New Zealand town, not to mention at least a dozen annual festivals.

For visitors, the Southern Encounter Aquarium, Science Alive Museum and award-winning International Antarctic Centre are a great draw, but what many remember most about Christchurch is its Englishness. The neo-Gothic architecture and streets named after British towns and poets give it the feel of a typical English university town. However, just take the gondola ride to the summit of 946m Mt. Cavendish for the panoramic view of the Alps, the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula and you will soon know that this can only be New Zealand.