CHRISTCHURCH

There are a number of things to do in Christchurch. One of the latest tourist attractions is the opportunity to drive a tank, or another military vehicle such as an Armoured Personnel Carrier, scout car etc. Tanks for Everything in McLeans Island Road offers the only opportunity for this activity in New Zealand. We drove the 52-ton Centurion Tank (picture right) and will go back to try the other vehicles next time! BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

Our favourites amongst the other activities include: The Antarctic Centre at the airport (dubbed "The World's Best Antarctic Attraction") and a trip to the port city of Lyttelton, including a visit to the Timeball Station (if you get there by 12.45pm you may be allowed to wind up and release the timeball!).

The Antarctic Centre (snow storm at left!) is a short walk from the airport terminal and is an excellent way to fill in some time if you have a reasonable wait for your flight. The Centre is most informative and includes the opportunity to experience a snow storm. We found the audio guide system a little disappointing in English but it is probably more useful in its foreign-language variants.

The Canterbury Museum, near the city centre is an excellent, somewhat traditional museum and the art gallery, though recently criticised by the art-purists for being 'unadventurous', was right up our alley when we visited! The docent's guided tourwas particularly informative. Close to both of these facilities is the Arts Centre, the former university cluster with more than 40 galleries and shops, cafes and a theatre. The weekend craft fair is well-worth a visit. The famous tram which runs on a 2.5km circular route around the central part of the city, passes close to all of these attractions and includes the square at the city centre. Though a ticket is reasonably expensive, it does allow 'hop-on, hop-off' use for the whole day.

From Christchurch you can take the scenic 'TRANZALPINE' train to Greymouth. This is an excellent journey, though we recommend that if time allows you book an excursion in the west coast area and spend at least one night there.

If you have the time, a trip to AKAROA on Banks Peninsula is highly recommended. This 'French' settlement has a charm of its own. Excursion trips into Akaroa harbour operate periodically.

BETTERPRICEHOTELS offer a considerable variety of accommodation options.