Christchurch Travelers Recommend

Christchurch is often described as the most English of New Zealand's cities. The Garden City offers visitors a multitude of options, from wine trails to wildlife reserves. Whether your interests include downtown sightseeing or exploring Canterbury’s natural surroundings, here’s how to make the most one day in Christchurch.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Christchurch has recovered beautifully from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and is full of sights, old and new. Learn about its history on the Christchurch Tram’s narrated hop-on hop-off tour. See the Bridge of Remembrance, and stop at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for an open-air tour on a caterpillar shuttle or a punting tour on the Avon River with a guide dressed in Edwardian clothing. You can also enjoy the Christchurch Gondola, which takes you on a 10-minute panoramic ride up the Port Hills for scenic views.

Afternoon: Themed Adventures

For some family fun, head to the International Antarctic Centre, an interactive attraction where kids can meet sled dogs and blue penguins and go on a Hagglund ride. Or, if you’d prefer to venture a bit further afield, take a helicopter tour to enjoy the unique landscapes of the nearby Banks Peninsula to see unique landscapes or a short ride on horseback to see views of the Southern Alps.

For a food and drink-focused afternoon, take a wine-tasting tour of North Canterbury wineries, or let a guide introduce you to the city’s local craft breweries. If you’d rather get to know the city center, head to the Cashel Street mall and Riverside Market and enjoy Christchurch’s cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Night: Cuisine and Culture

In the evening, indulge in Christchurch’s culinary landscape. For a unique tour of the city after dark, hop aboard the tram (even if you traveled its route in the daytime) and combine your sightseeing with dinner at the Tramway Restaurant. Alternatively, enjoy a traditional hangi buffet dinner and a Maori cultural performance at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve—which also offers the opportunity to New Zealand’s nocturnal kiwi birds in their natural habitat. Finish off your evening downtown with cocktails and a dip into the local nightlife.

The city of Christchurch makes a great base for exploring New Zealand’s central South Island coastline and the region of Canterbury. With three days in the area, you have time to discover city sights, explore the great outdoors, and even head to the Southern Alps. Here are some ways to experiencing the region’s most popular attractions in three days.

Day 1: Christchurch Meander

On your first day in town, take some time to explore town with a hop-on hop-off tour on a historic tram and see central city highlights, including Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Christ's College, and the Bridge of Remembrance. In the afternoon, go punting on the Avon River, which runs through the botanic gardens, then take a gondola ride up the Port Hills and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.

In the evening, combine dinner with sightseeing on the Tramway Restaurant, an eatery on wheels that offers a unique trip back. Alternatively, head to a Maori village for a traditional “hangi” dinner and a dance performance that illuminates centuries of New Zealand’s indigenous history.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

There are plenty of outdoor activities within easy reach of the city, and options range from white-water rafting to horse trekking, eco-cruising, and fishing. Take in the patchwork scenery of the local farmland from the sky on a helicopter tour, or get your adrenaline going on a rafting trip on the Waimakariri River, which boasts a variety of rapids. Alternatively, book a guided tour of the Waipara wine trail to go tasting at some of Canterbury’s many wineries, or take a jet boat trip through Waiau Gorge and relax with a soak in the Hanmer Springs thermal pools. 

If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, you can take a trip into the heartland to visit a working sheep farm and see a sheep shearing demonstration, see the blue penguins at the International Antarctic Centre, or learn about kiwis at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. 

Day 3: Day Trips from Christchurch

Christchurch is brilliantly positioned for day trips to a variety of locations. Fans of The Lord of the Rings can journey to Edoras, while history buffs can head to the historic town of Akaroa, the only French settlement in New Zealand; some Akaroa tours include a harbor cruise and the chance to see the region’s Hector’s dolphins.

To get into the mountains, take a quick ski trip to Mt. Hutt, which offers stunning views of snow-clad peaks and the Pacific Ocean. Alternatively, head to Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain; tours to the mountain take you through the spectacular scenery of the Canterbury Plains, MacKenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, and the Tasman Glacier. 

Two days in Christchurch means you can cover plenty of ground in the Garden City. Delve into the city center with a variety of sightseeing options by bus and beyond. Whether you hop on a heritage tram, horse, or scenic train, there’s plenty to see. Below are some options for maximizing time on your 2-day stay.

Day 1: In and Around Town

**Morning:**Sightseeing by double-decker bus is a great way to get your bearings. Hear narration about Christchurch’s rebuild following the devastating earthquakes, with the opportunity to hop off and learn more at stops including Quake City. A sightseeing pass includes the Christchurch Tram, Gondola, and Botanic Gardens with a punt (boat) ride.

**Afternoon:**Devote the afternoon to animal antics at the Penguin Encounter at the International Antarctic Centre, or observe New Zealand’s endangered national bird—the kiwi, of course—in its nocturnal habitat at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Choose a tour with meal options and round-trip transport provided from hotels for convenience.  

**Night:**Settle in for a 4-course dinner and a nearly 3-hour tour of city lights aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant. Take a window seat on the heritage tram and discover the evening views. It’s elegant, but Christchurch-casual, dining and sightseeing at its best. 

Day 2: Easy Escapes

**Morning:**When you’ve had your fill of city highlights, it’s time to head for the hills. You have your choice of traveling by horseback, helicopter, or railway. Trot alongside Waimakariri Canyon, view the Banks Peninsula from above, or hop on the TranzAlpine Train for Arthur's Pass via the Southern Alps.

**Afternoon:**A quick escape from the city awaits. Swap your urban landscape for nature’s splendor with an outdoor adventure on the Waimakariri River, aka the Waimak. Jet boating takes you through scenic gorges and canyons. Alternatively, there’s time for a Hagglund snowmobile ride at the International Antarctic Centre. 

**Night:**If you opted to take the family to Willowbank, why not stay for dinner? A traditional hangi buffet is accompanied by evening entertainment with a Maori cultural performance of dance and music. It’s a great way to learn about New Zealand’s indigenous community while partaking in a traditional feast.

Soaring 12,315 feet (3,750 meters) over the Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island, Mt. Cook (Aoraki) is Australasia’s highest mountain and the grand centerpiece of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. From hiking to aerial sightseeing, here’s how to discover the natural wonder from Christchurch.

Full-Day Tours

A Mt. Cook day tour from Christchurch means a lot of traveling, but the long journey is worth it for the magnificent scenery en route. Along the way, you’ll admire views of the Canterbury Plains, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Pukaki; enjoy a thrilling hike around the Tasman Glacier; and stop in Fairlie for afternoon tea. Optional extras often include a scenic flight by ski plane over Mt. Cook National Park or lunch at the historic Hermitage Hotel in Mt. Cook Village. You can also explore on a one-way trip, starting your tour in Christchurch and ending in Queenstown.

Multi-Day Tours

With time to spare, a multi-day tour means you can venture farther afield and experience more of the South Island at a leisurely pace. A 3-, 4-, or 5-day tour from Christchurch takes in top attractions such as Milford Sound, Mackenzie Country, Arthur’s Pass, and the Franz Josef Glacier. With a week or two to spend on the South Island, you can cover all the highlights on an epic round-island trip.

Things to Know

• Mt. Cook is located 205 miles (330 kilometers) southwest of Christchurch, about four hours by road.

• Full-day tours from Christchurch can last up to 13 hours, so prepare for a long excursion.

• Be sure to take your camera, comfortable walking shoes, and water and snacks for the journey.

• Multi-day tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off, accommodation, some meals, and round-trip transportation.

With its dramatic volcanic cliffs, dolphin-filled waters, and French colonial heritage, the coastal town of Akaroa has plenty to entice day-trippers from nearby Christchurch. Here are your options for Akaroa tours. 

Highlights

Explore the natural wonders of the Banks Peninsula and enjoy views of Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, and Lake Ellesmere.

Set sail on a cruise around Akaroa Harbor and look out for Hector's Dolphins, the world's smallest oceanic dolphin.

Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Christchurch, Akaroa, and the Banks Peninsula on a thrilling helicopter tour.

Visit regional attractions such as the Giant’s House, Barrys Bay Cheese Factory, or the Llama Farm.

Learn more about the history of Akaroa at the Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum.

Things to Know

Akaroa is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Christchurch, a journey of about 1.5 hours by road.

Day tours from Christchurch typically last between six and nine hours.

Direct shuttle buses between Christchurch and Akaroa run from October to April and include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan on exploring and bring your swimsuit—many boat cruises offer the chance to swim along the coast.

For a more personalized experience, opt for a private tour and choose the activities that interest you most.

Maori, indigenous people of New Zealand, have had a deep-rooted and enduring influence on the country. From visits to Maori meeting grounds (marae) to performances of traditional songs and dances, here are just a few of the Maori experiences in Christchurch that can offer visitors insight into the Maori people and culture.

• Witness a Maori traditional welcome ceremony (powhiri) that usually takes place in front of a Maori meeting ground.

• Practice a Maori greeting that involves touching noses and foreheads (hongi).

• Observe song and dance performances, such as war dance (haka) and a dance in which performers rhythmically swing a ball that is attached to a short rope (poi).

• Combine a visit to a traditional Maori village with a guided tour of a nature reserve, where you can spot kiwis—a native New Zealand bird that holds a special place in Maori culture—in their natural habitat.

• Dine on a traditional Maori feast (hangi), made with food cooked over hot stones in a hole in the ground, which is covered to create a natural oven.

• Sail aboard a traditional double-hulled canoe (waka) in the company of Maori crew and learn about Maori maritime customs and boat-building techniques.

Wine lovers visiting Christchurch have several wine regions within day-trip distance to choose from. One of New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine regions, the Waipara Valley alone has more than 75 wineries. Here are the varietals to try and experiences to have during your stay.

Must-Try Varietals

Just an hour north of Christchurch, the Waipara wine region is most famous for its spicy and rich pinot noir and riesling. Continue north along the coast of the South Island and you’ll come to Marlborough, the nation’s largest wine region, where sauvignon blanc reigns supreme. Surrounding the city of Christchurch, the relatively new Canterbury region is quickly gaining a reputation for its excellent chardonnay, as well as pinot noir and riesling. Those with time for an overnight trip can explore Central Otago, New Zealand’s most picturesque (and the world’s southernmost) wine region, where some of the best pinot noir wines are made.

Must-Do Experiences

• Tour the Waipara wine trail with visits to four boutique wineries.

• Explore the wineries of North Canterbury for a lesson in cool-climate wine making.

• Sit down for lunch made from local produce at a winery restaurant.

• Soar high above the vineyards on a helicopter flight to one of the area’s best wineries.

• Combine wine tasting with a relaxing soak in the Hanmer Springs thermal pools.