More than 50 reasons why you should come to Christchurch for the Nationals in October 2019

Promotion for the 2019 FAWABNZ National Competitions

• Visit Canterbury Museum, founded 1867
• Art Gallery. The new Christchurch Art Gallery –Te Puna Waiwhetu – was opened in 2003
• Christchurch Arts Centre.  Based on Benjamin Mountfort’s Gothic Revival style of architecture and dating from 1877
• The Christchurch Arts Centre is one of the most significant collection of heritage buildings in New Zealand. 
• Turanga, the new Christchurch Public Library built on a new site in Cathedral Square after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes destroyed the old central library building
• Riding ‘The Tram’.
• Punting on the Avon.
• Cycling. There are six new dedicated cycleways that connect the suburbs with the central city via local attractions.
• Lime scooters. 
• Walking the new Riverside Promenade. 
• Hagley Park. Hagley Park has been at the heart of Christchurch since the 1850s
• Botanic Gardens. Nestled in the eastern part of Hagley Park are the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
• Ferrymead Heritage Park. 
• Gondola.  Take a gondola ride to the top of the Port Hills
• The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is the national museum for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and New Zealand military aviation.
• The Antarctic Centre.
• Mountain biking. Christchurch is renowned across the country for its stunning mountain bike trails.
• Christchurch Sky Casino
• New Brighton Pier.
• Golf. There is plenty of choice.   Fifteen golf courses in Christchurch and another 15 within one hour’s drive.
• Speedway.  Ruapuna Speedway
• Trots and Races at Addington Raceway and Riccarton Race Course..
• Rugby. NZ plays Italy in the last of the Pool B World Cup playoffs in Japan on Saturday 12^th October. 
• Shows. There are shows and regular features such as The Court Theatre and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
• Rebuild progress.  Drive or bus into town and walk your way around the inner city, stopping to enjoy the shopping and eating opportunities as you go. 
• Shopping downtown or at malls. 
• Breweries.  We have many micro or boutique or craft breweries. 
• Wineries.  The largest concentration of first class wineries close to Christchurch is in the North Canterbury district of Waipara/Glenmark.
• Cheese makers. The most well-known are at Barry’s Bay (Barry’s Bay Cheese), on the road to Akaroa, and Karikaas Cheese, at Loburn near Rangiora.
• Markets. There are several Farmers Markets.
• Restaurants. How many Restaurants make up a city? 
• Bars. Again, Bars Galore
• Tranz Alpine and Coastal Pacific.  These world class railway trips are not to be missed.  Booking a long way ahead is essential.
• Weka Pass Railway.
• Pleasant Point Vintage Railway.
• Taieri Gorge Railway. 
• Visit Gladfield Malt. Modestly billed as the producers of the World’s Best Malt.
• Visit Akaroa. Parlez vous francaise? 
• Visit Hanmer Springs.
• Visit Kaikoura.
• Visit West Coast.
• Visit Oamaru.
• Visit Dunedin.
• Visit Aoraki Mt Cook. 
• Don’t visit Central Otago because its our best kept secret.
• Visit Queenstown. 
• Visit Milford Sound.
• Visit the great southern lakes.
• Visit Stewart Island – Rakiura. 
• The NATIONALS of course>
• And, if you’ve been counting, that’s 50 reasosn, and I am sure you can think of a few more.