Christchurch is the heart of New Zealand’s South Island and has so much to offer. To help you plan your visit to Christchurch, we have created a comprehensive guide to give you the best accommodation, activities, dining and travel options.
After the series of earthquakes that occurred over 2010 and 2011, the city was forced to reimagine and rebuild itself. Now it has become a vibrant and creative city that’s a must-visit. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history lover or a foodie, Christchurch has something for everyone. Even activities that will keep kids entertained for hours!
With our guide, you can plan the best trip to Christchurch, and the towns surrounding if you want to escape the city.
The Gateway to the South
You can arrive at Christchurch via road, rail or air. Driving New Zealand top to bottom showcases some of New Zealand’s incredibly diverse terrain. Through cities and the countryside, you can pass mountain ranges in the morning and be at the beach in the afternoon. Auckland to Wellington is 640km, around an 8-hour drive. The 3-and-a-half ferry ride across the straight to Picton is a picturesque journey, with dolphins often following the ship through the clear water. Then it’s a shorter 340km leisurely drive to Christchurch, around 4 hours by car.
Limited rail links run across the country. From Picton, you can catch the Coastal Pacific line to Christchurch. Then grab a _Mode rental to explore the rest of the south.
Buses run from some major cities to and from Christchurch but routes to smaller cities are less frequent and to get some of the hidden spots on the outskirts of town, you’ll need a private vehicle.
Arriving by air is a popular and easy option. There are regular services to more than 16 airports throughout New Zealand and more than 130 international flights departing from Christchurch airport each week. _Mode rentals are available from Christchurch airport to start the rest of your adventure.
It’s a short drive from the airport to the city centre, taking about 20 minutes. But before you get there, the International Antarctic Centre, right next to the airport, invites visitors into an incredible world of ice and mystery, ambition and endeavour.
If Christchurch or the Antarctic Centre are your final destination, do note you cannot sleep at the airport. There are however numerous hotels close by and there is a free shuttle service to many that are less than a 5-minute drive or a short walk from the airport.
Christchurch activities
Christchurch has a lot of activities to offer throughout the city. The rebuilt city centre is a visitor’s playground and you can walk, punt on the Avon River or catch a tram between some highlights:
Historic architecture: as restoration continues, much of the famous Arts Centre of Christchurch still buzzes with activity. It’s worth a look for the largest collection of category 1 heritage-listed buildings in New Zealand.
Contemporary Art: There is a proud tradition of supporting the arts in Christchurch. Some of New Zealand’s best contemporary artists are on show at the world-class gallery CoCa.
Street Art: For a glimpse of more edgy work, stimulate the senses on a street art walk. Many of the first buildings that were rebuilt after the earthquakes are covered in brilliant murals. As rebuilding continues, all manner of colourful creatures continue to appear. Walk the trail at your own pace or on a guided 2-hour tour
Antiques: There is plenty of colourful window shopping across the centre too. But on Ferry Road, antiques take centre stage with around half a dozen shops in a row. One of the best is Chaos, with an array of retro-to-colonial pieces. And if you want to venture into real shopping, you can come away with something unique and special for hundreds rather than thousands of dollars.
Botanic Gardens: A more organic option to seek out colour, the 21-ha botanic gardens allow you to immerse yourself in the peace and splendour of curated colour. You can experience the gardens on foot or on a guided 40-minute tour.
Cardboard Cathedral: For even more peace and quiet, the Temporary Cathedral provides a temporary home for worship from 9 am-5 pm and is the world’s only cathedral made of cardboard.
Memorial: To gain a deeper understanding of how the earthquakes shaped Christchurch, visit the Oi Manawa Memorial. It reflects on those who were affected and those who lost their lives in the 2010-2011 earthquakes. You’re encouraged to dip your hands in the water and touch a giant piece of precious pounamu (local greenstone) set on the white marble wall.
If you still can’t decide on what to do, there are so many amazing tours that can show you around Christchurch and teach you about its history. Our favourite is Amiki Tours a cultural food tour. Not only does it teach you some history of Christchurch but also Māori Heritage. This well-loved tour is one you won’t want to miss out on!
Explore the surrounding areas of the city centre:
Port Hills: The hills surrounding Christchurch boast an impressive number of walking and cycling tracks for a variety of abilities. From Boulder Bay to Godley Heads, you can see across the peninsular, across tussock, and then down to pools of deep water swirling with bull kelp.
Sumner: A vibrant seaside town with a surf vibe, friendly cafes and safe beaches around 25 minutes from the city centre. An easy activity is walking the short, accessible promenade (about 25 minutes). The playground by the beach is a wonderful place for children to play while enjoying the great ice cream on offer.
Lyttleton (Pictured): The unofficial artist’s quarter, an easy 20-minute drive from the centre. Previously a port town it was essentially a collection of 10 pubs catering for the nautical trade. Now the big pubs are gone and artists and musicians like Marlon Williams, choose to call it home. It’s a wonderful place to eat, and shop and if you’re looking to soak up the sun, a quick ferry across to Diamond Harbour (named after the way the sun glints across the water) is the perfect place for a picnic.
Little River: Like Lyttleton, is on the edge of the Banks Peninsular by Lake Forsyth and is another wonderful stop with a well-established arts community and unique handmade goods. A 50-minute drive, you can also cycle there along the old railway line and be collected at the end, so make sure to book a bike rack with your rental as you travel.
Best places for eating and drinking.
Christchurch offers an amazing hospitality scene there are a myriad of bars and restaurants to visit across the city.
For sophisticated dining options, Fiddlesticks and 5th Street are great options, with excellent service and food, you will not regret trying out these places!
For music with your food and drinks, Vesuvio offers Jazz while The Church Pub offers more local artists, bands, and quiz nights!
Other great eating options with a good atmosphere and a little edge are places like Amazonita, Bar Franco and King of Snake.
Just looking for drinks? Christchurch has some of the best cocktail bars including The Pink Lady Rooftop Bar giving amazing views of the city, or O.G.B Bar and Cocktail Bar is based in a beautiful heritage building, the perfect location for a cocktail.
When the centre was shut down for an extended number of years, the suburbs developed their centralised vibe and hubs popped up boasting everything from restaurants, second-hand shops, yoga studios and breweries to small boutique retail offerings.
The Tannery in Woolston offers a lot of boutique shops and is home to the well-known Cassels Brewery.
The Welder in Welles Street is an evolving destination that currently offers a great combination of more relaxed inner-city bars.
Kid-friendly cafes: And if you’re looking for kid-friendly sustenance, C1 offers incredible coffee while the kids watch your plate of hand-made sliders race around the roof and arrive at your table via a network of pneumatic tubes. Alternatively, explore the Riverside Market, here you can find everything from bakeries to woodfire pizzas to ice cream, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Christchurch activities with (and without) kids.
With so many outdoor areas to explore, the city is a great place to travel for younger visitors, and those young at heart.
Outdoor adventure: The Christchurch Adventure Park is a large-scale centre where you can easily spend a whole day. It hosts everything from trampoline parks to zip lines and mountain biking trails. Set in the Port Hills it’s a quick drive from the centre or airport.
Rope Courses: For older families (entrants must be over 1.4m) Adrenalin Forest is an action-packed course of outdoor high ropes designed to challenge strength agility and fortitude!
Museums: There is a wonderful selection of museums in Christchurch. From the Canterbury Museum with lots of free activities for kids, to Quake City charting the city’s experiences in 2010 and 2011, to the Airforce Museum of New Zealand with full-sized aircraft and a flight simulator.
Wildlife experiences: For hands-on time with animals, Orana Wildlife Park boasts New Zealand’s only free-range wildlife reserve where you can get up close and personal with many of the 80ha centre’s animals including gorillas, giraffes and rhino. Or for a slightly lower-key experience, you can ride a donkey, feed a lemur or be a junior keeper for a day at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.
Tūranga: The new Christchurch Library is far from the staid, sombre libraries of the past. Looking out over the broken cathedral, it takes the reimagining of the city to heart, and you can just as easily find a group of musicians, a 3D printing workshop or a video gaming program as a wonderful collection of books.
Playgrounds: In an ode to a great local creator of books, Christchurch opened the Margaret Mahy playground in 2015 and it’s the biggest, brightest, boldest playground in the city.
Outdoor dancing: For something entirely different, you can have your own private disco with Dance-o-mat, a coin-operated dance space.
Outdoor Video games: Or even a giant game of outdoor space invaders on High Street.
Transport: There’s also the Gondalo, with spectacular views across the city, which can be combined with a tram tour, taking in the city and hills in one ticket.
Kid-friendly cafes: And if you’re looking for kid-friendly sustenance, C1 offers incredible coffee while the kids watch your plate of hand-made sliders race around the roof and arrive at your table via a network of pneumatic tubes. Or try one of the many other great options tried and tested by local families.
Close to Christchurch- Things to do nearby.
While the city centre contains a wealth of attractions, the incredible natural surrounds of the greater Christchurch region provide a whole different scale of activities. Numerous destinations can be reached by renting a vehicle.
Banks Peninsula Bays: An area rich in wildlife and epic scenery, twin volcanoes formed the harbours of this area. They were immediately attracted to local iwi and then later to settlers from Britain and France. There is a wealth of walking options, and the multiple-day walks are some of the most popular in the area. Private vehicle is the best way to explore this area, with picturesque stops like Le Bons and Hickory Bay inaccessible otherwise as you head towards Akaroa.
Akaroa (Pictured): This is New Zealand’s first and only French settlement and despite the local attractions being uniquely Kiwi, there is much that feels utterly French in the area including the street names! There’s even a three-day French Festival and a strong affection for local cheeses. Try Barry’s Bay cheese on your way. But it’s the great outdoors that’s the real drawcard, with visitors able to see and sometimes swim with Hector’s Dolphins, the smallest dolphin in the world. For something entirely different, try the stand-up paddle boarding tours in the dark.
Waipara Valley Vineyards: The gorgeous vistas of the Waipara Valley are a reason to visit this region in itself, but for wine lovers, this cluster of vineyards is paradise. Just under an hour from Christchurch, this area is best known for its rich, deep Pinot Noir and Riesling, but look out for other varietals making a splash on the world scene. There are 31 wineries, 4 winery restaurants and 10 cellar doors that rival the best of what Hawkes Bay and Europe have to offer. One of the first to create a full visitor experience is Pegasus Bay Vineyard. If you make it there make sure to try Aria if you can, a Riesling so opulent you almost need a knife and fork to drink it.
Kaikoura and Whale Watching: If you find yourself journeying from Auckland to Queenstown, consider making Kaikoura a highlight of your trip, especially as it sits conveniently halfway from Picton to Christchurch. Albatross capital of the world, it’s also a mecca for lovers of all ocean life. Sperm whales, dusky dolphins and seals are usually on display in the waters all year round, with a range of companies set up to get you the best viewing experience possible. And if you’re there at the right time of year, orca, humpback whales and blue whales often put on a show.
If you’d rather stay on land, there are spectacular mountain bike trails, horse treks and even guided quad bike tours to see the harbour from a different angle.
Christchurch’s alpine surroundings.
Christchurch and its surroundings have the incredible advantage of being flanked by the ocean on one side and a spectacular range of mountains on the other. During the winter months, the area gets a good dusting of snow in many quarters, not just the snowfields. Remember, if you’re heading up towards the mountains, make sure you book snow chains with your rental vehicle.
Hanmer Springs (Pictured): For a longer day trip, Hanmer has relaxation and adventure for all ages. Just under a two-hour drive from Christchurch, the thermal springs are legendary and arriving via the Lewis pass provides jaw-dropping vistas for selfies and updating your Instagram feed. After a day’s skiing, many of the springs tucked under the craggy mountain ranges promise the spectacle of snowflakes falling on your shoulders while soaking in the heat. But it’s also a great place to enjoy in the summer months with white water rafting and waterslides.
Arthur’s Pass: This National Park owes its fame to its incredible vistas. The village has a great range of accommodation options and is the starting point for its many walks. From easy strolls like the Millennium Walk, the longer Devils Punchbowl and Otira Viaduct lookout to expert-only tracks on the Avalanche Peak route. And if you prefer two wheels, the Poulter Valley track is a must for seasoned mountain bikers.
Skiing near Christchurch
The search for great powder is never-ending for some, and the fields around Christchurch don’t disappoint. Again, if you’re heading to the snow fields, snow chains are essential so, make sure you book them with your rental vehicle.
Main slopes: At just an hour from Christchurch, Mount Hutt is the closest and therefore most popular. But it is a favourite for many reasons. The area has some of the best snow in Australasia and boasts an award-winning ski and snowboard school, excellent chairlifts and magical heli-skiing opportunities for the more adventurous.
Smaller groomed slopes: Mount Lyford has slopes for beginners to advanced, while Porters Heights is more advanced. Both have lodges available for accommodation and a good range of facilities but are less packed than the more commercial Mount Hutt operations.
Backcountry skiing: If you’re a serious skier, there are a clutch of club fields like Temple Basin, Craigieburn, Broken River and Mount Cheeseman that offer unique backcountry experiences for more advanced riders. Don’t expect European facilities in the often-basic accommodation, and the fields are ungroomed, so if you’re unconfident in powder they might not be for you. But for those looking for an authentic adventure, these are some of the most picturesque slopes around.
Accommodation in Christchurch
There is a huge range of accommodation available in Christchurch, from budget-friendly to luxury! For more luxury and boutique type accommodation some of our favourites are The Mayfair, The George and The Distinction Christchurch Hotel. For more budget friendly options The Bealey Quarter, Breakfree on Cashel and Tasman Holiday Park are highly rated!
There is also the option of backpackers or if you have a large group with you renting an Airbnb is a great option!
Seasonal Work Opportunities
If you’re looking to supplement your travel budget, Christchurch is a great base from which to find seasonal work. Canterbury is home to various sectors requiring seasonal work, including vineyards, farming and hospitality. Hot spots for finding employment include Waipara, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura and the Mackenzie region. If you’re from overseas, do remember that you’ll require a working visa rather than a tourist visa if you intend to work at any stage during your visit.
Ready to book your trip to Christchurch?
Christchurch is truly captivating place, as well as its surrounding areas. Whether you’re indulging in the city’s culinary delights, exploring with family, or venturing into the great outdoors, Christchurch has something for everyone. We hope our guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Christcurch. So, what are you waiting for? Book your _mode rental and experience the charm of this special city for yourself!
