16 interesting things to do in Christchurch
The biggest city in the South Island of New Zealand is more than just an entry or exit point. Christchurch is a vibrant destination in its own right.
Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, was devastated by an earthquake in 2011.
From the rubble, the city reinvented itself. There are still abandoned buildings scribbled with graffiti, and the cathedral has yet to rise from the dust.
But the city is a delight to visit.
I typically find more things to do outside of New Zealand towns, which can be pretty bland, but Christchurch I really enjoy — despite what seems like constant construction around the city centre.
Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch has cool urban hangouts, abundant green spaces, and is close to beaches, islands, and easy day trip destinations.
Christchurch is well worth visiting for 2-3 days. There’s plenty to explore within the city and in the surrounding area, from cafes and restaurants, to street art and nature walks and beaches.
Here are all the best things to do in Christchurch.
Quick tips for visiting Christchurch
The centre of Christchurch is nice and flat, which makes it very walkable, but a rental car will make it easier to get around.
Having said that, I appreciated staying a little outside of the city centre so I didn’t have to pay for parking or worry about my car during the day (I stayed at the Bealey Quarter last time, which was a great budget option, and the Novotel the time before that, which has an unbeatable location right on Cathedral Square).
Pack a jacket — Christchurch can get cold in the evenings all year round. As a North Islander I find this city quite chilly!
Book the Christchurch Pass through Klook to tick off the key attractions (tram, gondola, and river punt) on one ticket.
Know before you go | The Māori name for Christchurch is Ōtautahi, which translates to "the river mouth."
What to do in Christchurch
There’s plenty to do in Christchurch city, but you can also use Christchurch as a base for visiting more of the area.
I’ve split this up into central, and further afield, options. Feel free to jump ahead:
The best things to do in Christchurch city —cafes, art galleries, parks and street art
Things to do around Christchurch —walks and activities within 30 minutes drive from the centre
Day trips from Christchurch — plan for a half or full day out
The best things to do in Christchurch city
There’s plenty to keep you busy within the city itself.
A lot of the city centre feels like it’s under construction, but the gritty, incomplete vibe is perfectly matched by street art murals.
Keep an eye out for walls decorated in an array of styles, from graffiti and stencil art to large-scale murals and thought-provoking installations.
1. Check out the pastel buildings on New Regent Street
New Regent Street
Rollickin Gelato is a must-try
If you have time to visit only one spot in Christchurch city, visit New Regent Street.
This is not only one of the prettiest precincts in the city, it’s also home to some glorious bars, restaurants, and even a dessert cafe.
The pastel coloured buildings and colourful tiles give New Regent Street a unique flair. On top of that, the Christchurch tram trundles right down the middle of the street, making this a very photogenic strip.
For morning coffee, stop by funky little cafe and micro roastery, Belle.
in the evening, head upstairs to dine at Twenty Seven Steps, one of Christhchurch’s best restaurants
Rollickin Dessert Cafe is the perfect after-dinner pitstop for gelato or something even more decadent. If you go for one of their hot desserts, I recommend sharing — I tackled one on my own and the sugar rush lasted for hours.
Or make your way to The Last Word, a cosy cocktail bar — the best seating is upstairs.
2. Check out the view from the top floor of Tūranga, Christchurch’s main public library
The central Christchurch library, Tūranga, is a light, airy building and one of my favourite spots to hunker down for an hour or two with my laptop.
It’s well worth a visit to check out the view from the fourth floor terrace, and if you need to plug into the wifi to plan the next stage of your travels there are plenty of quiet corners.
3. Get into the local cafe culture
Like other cities in New Zealand, coffee culture is a big part of life in Christchurch.
I found the city to be very quiet after 8pm — there are great restaurants around, but Christchurch feels like it’s at its best during the day.
Cantabrians take their coffee seriously, so there is a delightful range of cafes and roasters in Christchurch.
Cafes also tend to take pride in supporting local growers and producers, so menus feature ingredients gathered from around Canterbury. The result is fresh, delicious food to pair with your flawless flat white.
Exploring the local cafe scene is always one of my favourite things to do in a new city (what is it about warm wooden accents and the smell of freshly ground coffee?) and Christchurch is no exception.
Whether you’re looking for a coffee to go or a hearty brunch to kick start a day of exploring, check out these awesome cafes in Christchurch:
Grater Goods, a vegan cafe and deli in an old glass factory on an industrial street.
C1 Espresso, an institution in the city centre.
Little Poms is famous for its brunch options
Addington Coffee Co-op is one of the coolest brunch spots
Grizzly Baked Goods is an epic little bakery with two locations
4. Visit Cuningham House in Hagley Park
Cost: Free
Best time to visit: Go in summer to see the rose garden in front of Cuningham House in full bloom
Cuningham House
Inside Cuningham House
Hagley Park is a vast inner city green space, with everything from wide open spaces to mature woodlands.
It’s a gorgeous place for a walk and looping around the entire park — around 6 kilometres — takes around 90 minutes.
One of the highlights of the park is Cuningham House, the largest and oldest display house in the gardens. The grand old dame of a building is home to a jungle tropical plants.
With its symmetrical facade, Tuscan columns and Italianate balusters, Cuningham House looks like a neoclassical glasshouse.
If Cuningham House is particularly busy, you can escape the crowds by heading upstairs. Most people just visit the lower floor, even though the upper level offers equal views.
Some of the giant plants in Cuningham House reach the glass ceiling of the two story building.
In winter, when other parts of the gardens might be dormant in the cold, Cuningham House is a great spot to see orchids, pawpaw, cycads, and more.
In the attached Townend House, an assortment of flowering plants bloom all year round.
5. Take the Christchurch tram
Cost: $35 per adult, free for children under 15
The Christchurch Trams are a fun way to see the city and get a bit of history at the same time.
The heritage trams trundle around the city sights, and a hop-on hop-off ticket lets you see the sights at a leisurely pace all day.
You can buy tickets online, from the tram drivers, or at the Tram Shop at stop 1.
6. Visit the International Antarctic Centre
Cost: From $59
Christchurch is one of five cities in the world known as a ‘gateway to Antarctica’ — the city is one of the last stopping points for crew and scientists headed to Scott Base in Antarctica.
The International Antarctic Centre is located next to the airport on the edge of Christchurch city.
At the centre, you can learn about life at Scott Base and see what it takes to work on the ice.
You’ll hang out with little blue penguins and get close up to a husky. There’s also the exciting Hägglund Field Trip, an awesome 4D Theatre, a massive HD screen.
Although a little on the expensive side, it’s a good place to spend a few hours on wet weather days.
7. Visit Riverside Market
Riverside Market is an indoor market open 7 days a week.
Inside, you’ll find cafes, restaurants and shops. There are stalls selling local produce, meat, seafood, and baked goods, making it a great place to stock up on fresh, organic food.
The food options span cuisines from around the world, from Nepalese and Korean to German and Mexican.
It’s a great place to head to if you have a group or picky eaters — everyone will find something to enjoy in the market.
8. Go punting on the Avon River
Cost: $40 per adult for 30 minutes
Location: Christchurch central
Nostalgia for England is embedded in Christchurch — the river through town is called the Avon, it’s lined by chestnut trees, and to top it off, you can go for a punt ride along the river.
This is a lovely way to see the city — you can choose to glide past the botanic gardens or see the central city.
Head to the iconic green-and-white striped Antigua Boat Sheds, where you can depart for your punt ride, or rent kayaks and paddle boats for exploring the river.
Visit the Red Zone to see the after affects of the earthquakes
One of the more alternative things to do in Christchurch is visit part of the Red Zone.
If you’ve ever wondered what a city would look like after an apocalyse drove people away, you might like a walk through the Red Zone.
Red Zoned areas were those deemed unliveable after the earthquakes. Mostly, these suburbs lined the edges of the Avon River, and liquefaction flooded streets and homes.
Residents of these neighbourhoods left behind their houses, which were eventually removed.
No one knew what to do with the land left behind, so large areas were just left to return to the wild. Some parts have been turned into parks, where locals walk their dogs.
Alternatively: If you don’t feel like hiking around creepy, abandoned neighbourhoods, you can also learn about the earthquakes at Quake City.
The best things to do around Christchurch
If you have a rental car, it’s easy to venture a little further afield from the centre of Christchurch. There are some gorgeous walks, beaches, and small towns around the fringe of the city.
5. Spend a few hours in a seaside sauna at He Puna Taimoana, the New Brighton Hot Pools
Cost: $18 per adult off peak
Location: 15 minute drive from the city centre
This salt water hot pool was the perfect place to admire the pier
I spent a cold and moody March morning dipping in and out of this seafront hot pool, and it was one of my favourite things in Christchurch.
He Puna Taimoana is a council run hot pool facility. Visit off peak and it’s pretty cheap for a visit that includes a sauna overlooking New Brighton beach and pier, a cold plunge pool, and several salt water hot pools.
It feels very local, with lots of people chatting enthusiastically, and others handing out in the pools reading books.
Book a time slot online and make sure you take a towel for the sauna.
While you’re in New Brighton: After a morning session at the hot pools, I stopped by Dune Cafe in New Brighton on the recommendation of a local friend. Her advice was spot on — the food was amazing.
10. Visit Lyttelton, Chistchurch's hipster harbour
Lyttelton is Christchurch’s harbour ‘over the hill’ — or more accurately under it, as you arrive into the town via a tunnel straight through the hill.
The maritime history of this small port town give it a whimsical air, heightened by the independent cafes, bars, and stores which line the main street.
It’s well worth spending a day, or even an afternoon in Lyttelton.
Lyttelton Coffee Co roasts their own coffee, so they serve up a pretty decent cuppa.
Stroll down London Street to enjoy the artsy vibe of the town, and peruse the eclectic mix of bookshops and record stores.
Later in the evening, stop for a pint of craft beer at Civil & Naval.
One of Christchurch’s best dining experiences has no men, no hours, not even a sign to indicate the restaurant.
Mapu is secreted away down a small lane near Lyttelton harbour, the hipster town just a short drive from Christchurch. Mapu is a test kitchen — an experimental and intimate project by Chilean chef Giulio Sturla.
This restaurant seats only six people. You’ll be in a cosy, dimly lit room, watching Sturla as he creates each of the eight dishes in the menu.
This is truly an exceptional experience, one you won’t find anywhere else in New Zealand.
9. Visit Taylor's Mistake and walk around Godley Head
Cost: Free
Location: 30 minutes from central Christchurch
Taylor’s Mistake is a beautiful bay and one of Christchurch’s best surf beaches.
The loop walk around Godley Head is 9.3 kilometres and takes around 3 hours.
Climbing above the sea, the track offers spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour, golden hills, and the small baches (holiday houses) tucked into the bottom of the cliffs.
If you’re lucky, you might see dolphins or whales out at sea (I didn’t have any luck, but keeping an eye out just means spending more time looking at the view).
12. Explore the Port Hills
Cost: $40 per adult
The Christchurch Gondola is a top attraction thanks to the stunning panoramic views it offers of the city, Lyttelton Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps beyond.
The gondola whisks you from Heathcote Valley, about halfway between Christchurch and Lyttelton, to the summit of Mt Cavendish in around 10 minutes.
At the top, you’ll find a cafe and gift shop.
If you’re on a budget or the gondola doesn’t appeal to you, you can also walk up the short but steep Bridle Path Track to Summit Road. The short hike offers great views, and you can even walk all the way across to Lyttelton.
13. Visit Quail Island
// $35 ferry trip to a gorgeous island
// Book with Black Cat Ferry
Ōtamahua/Quail Island is only a short ferry ride from Lyttelton.
It makes a great day trip destination from Christchurch. There are a number of gentle walking trails, including a 4.5 kilometre loop trail around the outskirts of the island.
If the weather is warm enough, you can even go for a swim at one of the peaceful bays fringing the island.
For a more adventurous trip, stay overnight in the historic Ōtamahua Hut — just make sure to book your spot online before you go.
Christchurch to Queenstown | After you’ve explored Christchurch, take the scenic route to Queenstown. Here’s my suggested itinerary for this 3-4 day trip.
14. Go on a day trip to Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula
90 minutes from Christchurch
Visit the Giants House
Get off the beaten track at Okains Bay and Akaloa
Banks Peninsula is the promontory of land that extends from Christchurch into the Pacific — the elbow of the South Island.
The Peninsula is most famous for the French-influenced Akaroa, where you can see French street names.
Visit the Giants House and the Akaroa Lighthouse and stroll up and down the wharf before stopping for coffee and food at the Peninsula General Store.
The drive from Christchurch to Akaroa takes around one and a half hours, but allow plenty of time to account for the narrow, winding roads on the peninsula.
Beyond Akaroa you can find remote bays and walks across ridges with trees gnarled into stunted submission by the wind that sweeps across the peninsula.
My favourite thing to do on Banks Peninsula was follow the tiny roads and see where they ended up. Drive over to Okains Bay, and then across to Little Akaloa.
It can be a hair raising drive if you’re not used to rural roads like these, but it’s exceptionally scenic.
In Pigeon Bay, there’s a walk you can do out to the headland. It’s mostly flat, crossing sheep grazing land, but it’s a nice view at the end and a good way to brush off the cobwebs.
Is Christchurch worth visiting?
Christchurch is a key transport hub of the South Island. From here you can easily drive across to the West Coast, down to Queenstown, or down to Dunedin. The North Island is only a short flight away.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you’ve found some Christchurch attractions that have piqued your interest.
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