Christchurch in Winter?

[LSKahn]

I have a home exchange in Melbourne, Australia, agreed to for a month next summer. There is a possibility of a second deal in Christchurch, NZ. Can anyone tell me if it is realistic to go there in winter? What can I do at that time? What is to be avoided?

I do not ski.

The deal is contingent on being made to work timewise with the Melbourne exchange, so nothing is definite yet.

Thanks for your help.

[Traveling Granny]

Christchurch is beautiful in the winter. I was there a number of years ago in July. There were roses in bloom in Christchurch. It was cool enough to need a jacket, but it was not uncomfortably cold to walk around. No one there talked about the weather being unseasonably warm so I assume that what I experienced there was not unusual. The city reminded me of England. There is a river with little boats for punting and a beautiful cathedral. We visited various craft centers, too, which may or may not interest you. I was with a ski club, but I don't ski either. The ski club stayed in Queenstown, but I rented a car and along with a friend drove to Christchurch and spent overnight there. Christchurch is not near the fjiords but if you are there, you could probably arrange to either drive or find a tour that would take you there. Both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are well worth visiting. There are sheep stations that welcome visitors with demos of various aspects of farm life there. The South Island also has glacier tours and other natural beauties such as waterfalls.
Aside from the natural wonders of New Zealand, the people there are wonderfully polite and friendly.

[LSKahn]

Thanks for your reply. I haven't heard from the Christchurch people since their initial contact, so they may not be serious about exchanging. I shall have to be patient.

[LSKahn]

This finally looks like it will come off. I will have a swap in Melbourne followed by one in Christchurch during next (American) summer. Now the big challenge will be purchasing airline tickets and considering all the options for tickets. I have to keep checking Quantas and Air NZ for their respective deals. It may be that I will do a simple round trip to Melbourne and then a ticket on one of the discount airlines back and forth to Christchurch and then go home from Melbourne.

I am also looking into going to Uhluru for 3-4 days while I am in Melbourne.

I had thought about Tasmania, but I will target that for an eventual home exchange somewhere in Tasmania and save it for another trip.

And I thought the trip down under two years ago was the trip of a lifetime. Who knew I was going to do it all over again in two years--albeit with different destinations in Australia and NZ.

Home exchange is good.