Go Wild Without Overspending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted November 9, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Known as New Zealand's Garden City, Christchurch makes being green look oh so natural. Come witness the area's wildlife with an eco-minded tour company, stay in a house designed to be kind to the environment, and shop at a certified organic grocery store. Best of all, you can go wild without overspending.
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Elm Wildlife Tours: Located outside Christchurch in Dunedin, you'll find a tour operator with an eco-friendly heart. Elm Wildlife boasts a negative carbon footprint, since its self-planted forest absorbs more carbon than its tours create. Come along on the Peninsula Encounters half-day tour, where you'll travel to the Otago Peninsula to view the Hooker's sea lions and blue penguins in their natural habitat. Tours cost 89 NZD (about $65.50 US; check XE.com for current exchange rates).
Stay
GreenSpace: GreenSpace goes to great lengths to offer guests a comfortable place to stay while preserving nature. From the solar water heating system to the plantation timber flooring, the entire house is eco-friendly. Choose between two rooms that come with cotton bathrobes and cruelty-free toiletries. Daily breakfast is made with ingredients picked from the hotel's own organic garden. Rooms with breakfast start at 115 NZD per night.
Shop
Seven Fields Organic: As the first certified organic retailer in Christchurch, Seven Fields sells items right from the farm such as fresh meat, salsa, nuts, and dried fruit. Prices depend on the item, but you can create a picnic lunch for less than you'd spend at a restaurant.
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(Photo: Tourism New Zealand)
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