A rise in Australian visitors crossing the ditch, is boosting Christchurch's economy

The Garden City welcomed more than seven and a half thousand additional Australians between June and August compared to the same period last year - making the estimated economic impact for the Central South region more than 20-million dollars.

International arrivals into the city is up 17 percent year on year - far outpacing the national growth rate of five percent.

ChristchurchNZ Head of Destination Kath Low says winter is generally tough for tourism operators - so it's fantastic Australians are coming to experience the winter magic in and around Christchurch.