Lonely Planet offers free Christchurch chapter download

The Peacock Fountain at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Photo / Thinkstock

Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has today released a free download of the Christchurch & Canterbury chapter from its forthcoming New Zealand travel guide.

The 48-page chapter, researched by Brett Atkinson in December, is the first Christchurch guidebook information to be released since last February's earthquake.

Atkinson told nzherald.co.nz earlier this month that amid the occasional uncertainty of aftershocks, Christchurch was re-emerging as one of New Zealand's most exciting cities.

"If you're heading to the South Island of New Zealand, definitely spend a few days in the city. There's still plenty to do, and you'll be supporting the new businesses inspiring Christchurch's renaissance," he said.

Lonely Planet's Associate Guidebook Publisher, Errol Hunt, said the company was committed to providing "up-to-date, quality information for travellers".

"We believe this new chapter will be able to help visitors to Christchurch in ways that the pre-quake content cannot."

Although finalised editing and full mapping of the chapter hasn't yet been completed, Hunt said it would still provide visitors to New Zealand's "fastest-changing city" with quality post-quake information.

The Christchurch & Canterbury chapter will remain available as a free PDF download until Lonely Planet's newest New Zealand guide is released in September.

* Click here to download your free copy of Lonely Planet's Christchurch & Canterbury travel guide chapter.