The Cable Car Museum opened in December 2000 in the former winding house, which operated from 1902 until 1978, at the Kelburn end of the Wellington Cable Car. The museum houses a pair of original grip cars that once ran along the line. No. 1 is in red 1970s livery and features contemporary advertising, while No. 3 was restored in 2005 to a green livery dating to circa 1905; a San Francisco Cable Car bell was also added. If nothing else, the area around the museum offers some of the best views of Wellington.
The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial opened on Feb. 22, 2017, the sixth anniversary of the 2011 earthquake that claimed the lives of 185 people. The memorial, located in a gentle curve of the Avon River in the heart of Christchurch, pays respect to those who died, were seriously injured and survivors. The memorial’s name, Oi Manawa, means “tremor or quivering of the heart.”
Julius von Haast, a German geologist, founded the Canterbury Museum in 1867. He used his collection as the core of the museum’s exhibits. The Canterbury Museum opened to the public in December 1867 and moved to its current location in October 1870. The museum is part natural history museum and part history museum. Its extensive holdings include the largest collection in the world of Antarctic objects from the age of exploration and discovery.
After the 2011 Christchurch earthquake heavily damaged the Christchurch Cathedral, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed the Cardboard Cathedral pro bono to serve as a transitional cathedral. The Cardboard Cathedral, part of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, opened in August 2013. The A-frame in style structure rises 79 feet tall and uses 86 cardboard tubes sitting on top of 20-foot-long shipping containers. Despite its controversial design, the transitional cathedral is a popular destination for tourists to the city. The Anglican Diocese built the structure on the site of St John the Baptist Church, the first church built in permanent materials by Anglicans in Christchurch. The 2011 earthquake destroyed the church.
The Cardrona Bra Fence in Central Otago, New Zealand, is a quirky and controversial tourist “attraction.” The “attraction” dates to sometime between Christmas 1998 and New Year 1999. Apparently, passers-by began attaching bras to a rural fence near the Cardrona Distillery. The original reason for doing so remains unknown, but the number of bras quickly grew, reaching hundreds. By early 2006, about 800 bras adorned the fence, drawing attention from far-away media sources. Although popular with visitors, the fence has sparked debate over its value as an attraction.
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph, colloquially known as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland and the seat of the Bishop of Auckland. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier acquired the land in 1841, and a wooden chapel was built in 1843. A stone church replaced the structure in 1848. The church expanded in 1884 and was replaced by the current cathedral in 1907. The church was designated as a cathedral in 1848 and consecrated in 1963. Heritage New Zealand registered the cathedral as a Category I historic place on Sept. 9, 1984.
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu opened in May 2003 and replaced the former Robert McDougall Art Gallery, which opened in 1932. The Christchurch Art Gallery is home to works by both New Zealand and international artists. Following the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Civil Defence used the building as a headquarters. The art gallery reopened in December 2015 following extensive refurbishments.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens traces its origin to 1863. That year, an English oak was planted to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens are located next to the loop of the Avon River and Hagley Park. The gardens, which cover 21 hectares, are home to a collection of local and exotic plants. Its collection includes plants from across the globe.
Christchurch Tram’s heritage tramcars offer a unique way to explore Christchurch’s inner city. Operating since 1995, the trams offer live commentary from your friendly driver along the 4-kilometer circuit. Your all-day ticket allows you to discover the delights of the central city at your leisure with stops at Christchurch’s major sights, including Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens, Arts Centre, Art Gallery, The Terrace and Riverside Market and New Regent Street. Eco-friendly and Qualmark Gold accredited, the Christchurch Tram is a must-do activity on any visit to the city
