Christchurch

If you want to see why Christchurch is the "garden city," then the Botanic Gardens are a must-visit. You can arrive as early as 7 AM to experience this magnificent collection of flora from New Zealand and elsewhere - and best of all, you are sure to notice quickly that admission is free! Did you know that the Botanic Gardens were launched in 1863 with the simple planting of just one English Oak Tree? Today, you can see that the Botanic Gardens are more than just trees - the Botanic Gardens consist of 21 hectares boasting trails, art, plants, a cafe, and conservatories. Before your visit, double check that the facilities you want to visit are open, as in the wake of the earthquake, several buildings have been temporarily closed for earthquake strengthening work.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a quaint stone church that is a symbol of New Zealand's Lake Tekapo. The church was constructed from building materials collected from surrounding construction sites, preserving the stones and plants around it. This gorgeous and elegant church blends perfectly with the natural scenery around it. The church is a popular destination for tourists, who enjoy taking a seat in the pews and watching the beautiful lake outside.

Lake Tekapo is located between Christchurch and Queenstown, in the heart of the Mount Cook Basin and MacKenzie. Surrounded on all four sides by thick bush and white snow, the sight of lake Tekapo under the dazzling sun is stunningly beautiful. As the glaciers of the Southern Alps melt into the lake, the rocks within the glaciers are broken into fine powder. As a result, the color of the lake in this area is a pale blue tinged with milky white.

A third of Mount Cook National Park is covered in ice or snow all year round. One of the highest peaks in Mount Cook National Park is Mount Cook itself, which is one of the highest in all of Oceania. It is a great location to take a stroll through the park, or take part in other outdoor adventures, such as viewing New Zealand's Tasman Glacier or taking a helicopter to see the majestic peaks from above.