Christchurch new visitor centre

Christchurch’s i-Site visitor centre finally has a specially designed portable base in a central location after spending 8 months is temporary premises. The new visitor centre opened in November and is now on Rolleston Ave, next to the Canterbury Museum. It has been landscaped by staff of the Botanic Gardens and will be an inviting welcome for both locals and visitors.

Tim Hunter is the CE of Christchurch and Canterbury tourism, and he has said that this was the ideal spot for a visitor centre as it is in an area that naturally draws many of the visitors in the city. He added that they were thrilled to have secured a location that was so central, and are looking forward to welcoming many locals and visitors through the doors over the forthcoming summer months.

Prior to the February quake the i-SITE Visitor Centre was based in the Old Post Office building in Cathedral Square. For the past few months it has been operating out of temporary premises at the Chateau on the Park.

Manager, Sandra Caldwell says the new i-SITE Visitor Centre is a one-stop shop for visitors and locals looking for travel advice. It also offers ticketing for many key Christchurch events and booking services for tourism activities, accommodation and transport for Canterbury region and the whole of New Zealand.

“It’s also going to be a great place for locals to pop-in and find out what’s happening on their door-step,” Ms Caldwell says. “Whether you’re looking for ideas for a day-trip or just a fun afternoon out we can provide suggestions about places to go and things to do and, of course, help with bookings.

“And the location of the centre is superb; it’s an easy walk to attractions such as Punting on the Avon, the Canterbury Museum, Caterpillar Tours at the Botanic Gardens and the North Hagley Park Events Village which is going to be home to some great events over the summer, including the World Buskers Festival in January.

“There are cafes and restaurants close-by and the Re-Start retail complex, with its attractive and vibrant mix of 26 shops and Ballantynes, is a short walk down Cashel St,” Ms Caldwell says.

She says i-SITE staff are delighted to have a more permanent home in time for the busy summer season.“We’re expecting lots of visitors, including cruise passengers to come through this centre. Our new facilities in the Botanic Gardens will allow us to provide a high level of service to those who want information about the experiences and activities they can enjoy around Canterbury and the South Island.”