The principal visitor centre for Christchurch and the surrounding area is the Christchurch & Canterbury Visitor Centre , in the former Post Office on the south side of Cathedral Square (Nov-March Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am-5pm; April-Oct Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am-4pm; tel 03/379 9629, fax 377 2424, www.christchurchnz.net , info@christchurchnz.net ). You can book all forms of transport as well as trips and activities here; be sure to pick up the free Christchurch City Centre Walks leaflet, which provides a good introduction to local history, as well as the Tramway map, which details the main stops on this popular sightseers' route . The visitor centre is also the place to find out which of the city's many excellent festivals is currently in progress. As with visitor centres all over the country, they only promote places who pay to join the organization. If you'd prefer to broaden your options to include smaller companies, pop down the street to Trailblazers, 86 Worcester St (tel 03/366 6033, fax 03/366 6173, trailblazer@caverock.co.nz ), an independent information and booking service with stacks of helpful advice and bike rental .

The DOC (Department of Conservation) office is 1km northwest of Cathedral Square at 133 Victoria St (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm; tel 03/379 9758), and stocks specific information on wildlife and walking routes, as well as booking Great Walks throughout the South Island.