Christchurch Gondola and other moving objects
A wonderful way to view not only the city but all of the region with the opportunity to pack some action into your excursion is to opt for the Gondola cable car that climbs almost one thousand meters, 945M to be exact, to the summit for Mount Cavendish and enjoy the panorama. The gondola leaves from Heathcote Valley and there are shuttles from the square to take you there. It has to be said that the views are particularly fascinating at night. From here you can see the Southern Alps, the Canterbury plains and the volcanic outcrops of the Banks Peninsula. There are a number of paths around the summit that provide good trekking or rambling and different aspects of the view below. The way back down is open to investigation and if you are feeling more adventurous than returning in the gondola you can opt for a mountain bike return either guided or alone on one of the various routes. Alternatively you can head down accompanied, or in tandem with an instructor, in a paraglide. Cycling down gives you the chance to go to Ferrymead where there is the Ferymead Historic Park, a small reconstruction of an Edwardian town, fully decked out, townspeople included. The park has other reconstructions of the old airport, of a settlers' cob cottage and where the antique collections begin, the hall of flame with its antique fire engines. Continuing in the collection theme but adding back in the thrills and spills, the Air Force World is located at Wigram beside the former RNZAF base and has a wonderful display of old planes including the Dakota used for the queen in 1953 and the Dauntless from World War II that crashed on the Vanuatu Islands. There are flight simulators to delight all enthusiasts with re-enactments of combat situations or you can opt for a real flight in a Pitts Special.
|
