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Christchurch, the “Garden City,” is also called the “most English city outside England.” The largest city on the South Island, it is filled with beautiful parks and gardens, through which the Avon River runs. Whale-watching, visiting the International Antarctic Centre, punting on the Avon, hot air ballooning, and wine tasting are some highlights of a visit to Christchurch. Toward the center of the South Island, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Activities include jetboat rides, garden tours, lake cruises, helicopter flights, bungy jumping, golf, skiing, gondola rides, guided walks, fishing, skydiving, wine tasting, and much more. If there’s any outdoor activity you crave, chances are you can find it in Queenstown! By far the most popular activity is the trip to Milford Sound, including a launch cruise on this stunning fiord. FIND NEW ZEALAND HOTELS & RESORTS
Select your Christchurch & Queenstown hotels
The South Island Hotel Deals
Location:
189 Deans Ave. Adjacent to Hagley Park and close to the Botanical Gardens.
Facilities:
193 air-conditioned rooms with TV and mini bar. Hotel features restaurants, bar, heated pool, and 24-hour room service. ...
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Location:
In the Canterbury region, just a 45-minute drive from Christchurch airport.
Facilities:
6 luxury rooms with individual charm and country views over the gardens, farmlands and mountains. Relax and unwind in ...
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Location:
Corner Adelaide and Frankton Road. Conveniently-located within walking distance of the center of Queenstown..
Facilities:
241 rooms with refrigerator and TV. Serviced daily. Hotel features a restaurant, bar ...
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Location:
Corner Durham Street. In the city center, minutes walk from Christchurch Town Hall.
Facilities:
335 air-conditioned rooms with mini bar, TV and telephone. Hotel features a restaurant, bar, gym, spa, sauna, ...
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Location:
Corner Durham and Kilmore Streets. In the center of the city close to the casino and shops.
Facilities:
298 air-conditioned rooms with TV and mini bar. Hotel features bars, restaurants, coffee shop, 24-hour ...
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Location:
Nestled in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island. Grasmere Lodge is a haven for those in need of relaxation, or for those who are seeking a more adventurous interlude.
Facilities:
13 ...
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Location:
A 10-minute drive from Kaikoura, Hapuku Lodge is situated within an expansive deer breeding farm and olive grove.
Facilities:
6 guest rooms, 5 tree houses and an apartment, complete with wide-screen ...
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Location:
28 Cathedral Square. A unique hotel with historical heritage and prestige. Centrally-located in Cathedral Square.
Facilities:
177 rooms including 1 and 2 bedroom suites with air-conditioning (some rooms), ...
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Location:
91 Fernhill Road. Close to town, with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range.
Facilities:
177 rooms and 36 apartments with heating, mini bar, TV, full kitchen and separate lounge/dining ...
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Location:
10 Brunswick Street, overlooking picturesque Lake Wakatipu.
Facilities:
144 rooms and suites with mini bar and TV. Serviced daily. Hotel features restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service and tour desk. ...
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Location:
Sainsbury Road Fernhill. Two minutes from the city center with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.
Facilities:
148 rooms, mini bar, TV, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, 24-hour ...
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Location:
A 20-minute drive from Queenstown and three minutes from historic Arrowtown. Formerly a 19th century wheat farm, Millbrook Resort is nestled in an alpine amphitheater of snow-capped mountains.
Facilities:
170 ...
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Location:
14 Cathedral Square. Centrally-located in picturesque Cathedral Square, the heart of Christchurch and only minutes from the city’s key attractions.
Facilities:
179 air-conditioned rooms with mini bar ...
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Location:
Earl Street, situated among local gardens, right on the waterfront.
Facilities:
273 rooms with mini bar, telephone and satellite TV. Hotel features a restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service and tour ...
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Location:
Situated at the base of the Remarkable Mountain Range on Kingston Road, 10 minutes drive from Queenstown.
Facilities:
3 suites with decks, 3 lodge rooms and a garden suite opening onto a garden. Uninterrupted ...
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Location:
8 Duke St. downtown Queenstown, within walking distance of shops, restaurants and activities.
Facilities:
Boutique style hotel. 82 air-conditioned deluxe rooms and suites with mountain or lake views, mini bar ...
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Location:
On Park Terrace. Alongside beautiful Hagley Park and the tranquil Avon River, within easy walking distance to the city center.
Facilities:
53 air-conditioned rooms with mini bar and TV. Hotel features ...
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| NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL TIPS |
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Size, Location, Population
1,400 miles east of Australia, New Zealand consists of two major islands
(the North Island and the South Island) and one smaller island (Stewart
Island). It is 1,000 miles long, and approximately the same size as
Great Britain, with a population of only 3.5 million.
Time Zones
Pacific Standard Time + 19 hours (+18 hours during Pacific Daylight
Time).
Entry Formalities
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months following your
departure from New Zealand. A visa is not required for US citizens
for stays under 90 days.
Currency
New Zealand dollar. Decimal currency system. Notes: $5, $20, $50,
$100. Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, $1 and $2.
Bank Hours
Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am-4pm.
Departure Tax
NZ$25 per person.
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110V outlets for electric razors.
Most power outlets accept three-pin flat plugs or similar adapters.
Language
English is the common language of New Zealanders. The Maori people
have their own tongue, which is the country's only indigenous language.
Shopping
Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30pm. Fridays, 9am-9pm. Exceptions:
In some areas, late night shopping is Thursday, and in most cities
shops are open Saturday mornings. Some shopping malls are open Sunday.
New Zealand is perhaps best-known for its sheepskin products, but
you will also find paua shell (abalone) and greenstone (jade) jewelry,
woodcarvings, and many other handicrafts.
Tipping
Tipping is not the custom, nor are service charges added. In restaurants,
for special service, 10% is an appropriate amount. For taxi drivers
or porters, NZ$1 will suffice for normal service.
Climate
Temperate climate - subtropical in the north,and colder in the alpine
regions of the south.
Food
The traditional Maori feast is the hangi - food cooked in baskets,
in the ground, over hot stones, similar to a luau. There's no shortage
of good meat and fresh vegetables. Fish and shellfish are always
available, although if you are a trout lover, you must catch your
own. The Bluff oyster is seasonal (April to July), but cultivated
rock oysters are available fresh almost year 'round. A traditional
dessert is the pavlova - meringue covered in loads of whipped cream,
topped off with fresh fruit. The major cities have a wide range
of excellent restaurants serving cuisine of many different nationalities.
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while traveling"
When traveling, staying in contact with friends and family can be difficult. Travelscene has partnered with Wireless Traveler to offer communication solutions for your travels. With a Travelscene/Wireless Traveler Global Cell Phones and SIM Cards, it's easy and affordable to stay in touch.
For more information, or to purchase a mobile phone, visit www.travelscene.
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