Garden City misses out on list of top 20
Christchurch is not among New Zealand’s top 20 highlights, according to the latest edition of Lonely Planet.
The influential paperback – often described as the Bible for backpackers – snubbed the Garden City in a list of New Zealand’s must-do attractions.
Wellington was named the best destination, with Auckland, Queenstown and even the West Coast making the list.
First published in 1977, Lonely Planet is the biggestselling guide to New Zealand, providing tourists with recommendations on accommodation, restaurants, outdoor activities and cultural experiences.
In the chapter devoted to Canterbury, the book does describe Christchurch as a vibrant and creative city but also cites that: ‘‘Scaffolding and cones will be part of Christchurch’s landscape for a while yet.’’
‘‘Curious travellers will revel in this chaotic, crazy and colourful mix, full of surprises and inspiring in ways you can’t even imagine.’’
Although the 19th edition of Lonely Planet New Zealand only hit bookshops this week one of its Christchurch recommendations has already gone out of business.
The guide advises visitors to ‘‘gather picnic supplies at Canterbury Cheesemongers’’ but the former Art Centre business closed in April.
Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction said: ‘‘While it’s unfortunate Christchurch hasn’t made it onto the Top 20, we’ve also had our time in the Lonely Planet spotlight, including being ranked as a global street art capital in the Lonely Planet Street Art book.
‘‘After being hailed as of New Zealand’s bravest and most resilient communities in the Lonely Planet’s 2012 guide, we definitely think we’ve got what it takes to be in the Top 20.
‘‘It’s fantastic that two iconic Canterbury destinations are holding their own as part of the Lonely Planet’s Top 20 list. Kaikoura and Akaroa/Banks Peninsula are both stunning places to visit and we’re delighted that Lonely Planet readers from all over the world will be adding these to their New Zealand must-do list.’’
A team of seven writers visited towns and cities from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island to research the latest book and praised Wellington for its arthouse cinemas, hip bars and live music.
Auckland is listed as fourth in the chart, down two places from the last edition of Lonely Planet New Zealand which was published in 2016.
‘‘[Auckland is] regularly rated one of the world’s most livable cities, and while it’s never going to challenge NYC or London in the excitement stakes, it’s blessed with good beaches, wine regions and a thriving dining, drinking and live music scene,’’ the book says.
The highest placed South Island destinations are Kaikoura in fifth, Milford Sound in seventh and Queenstown in eighth.
And of Kaikoura it states: ‘‘Following a severe earthquake in November 2016, Kaikoura has rebounded to become a fascinating destination to observe the profound impact of seismic activity.’’
The previous edition sold more than 90,000 copies worldwide but backpackers staying at hostel Urbanz Accommodation Christchurch, in Manchester St, said guides such as Lonely Planet have been superseded by information online. Florian Aussedat, 22, from Paris, France, said he had travelled around New Zealand for seven months and not used a Lonely Planet guide.
‘‘I have used them in the past in other countries but here I have used websites, such as Hostelworld, and blogs written by other travellers,’’ he said.
Fellow traveller Thoralf Berger, 18, from Potsdam, Germany, said: ‘‘It’s not that necessary to use a guidebook. When you are travelling you don’t want to carry a whole book around with you. It’s faster to look online for specific information or just ask other travellers.’’