Christchurch: Best Things to Do
Discover the best things to do in Christchurch, including Quake City Museum, Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park, Christchurch Gondola, Banks Peninsula, and much more. In this travel guide, we share with you the top attractions, tips on where to stay, and how to get there.
Christchurch is a dynamic modern city on the east coast of South Island, and a getaway to some of the most incredible and must-visit places in New Zealand.
However, the disastrous 2010 and 2011 earthquakes had a severe impact on the city.
On February 22, six months after the first earthquake hit the city, there was an aftershock, during which 185 people died, and many more were injured, a lot of buildings collapsed, roads cracked, and this natural disaster caused huge damage to infrastructure.
The impact of earthquakes are still visible, though the city has recovered a lot.
With a lot of effort, the city is coming back to life, and you may want to spend at least a day in Christchurch as you'll be most likely visiting the city during your New Zealand road trip at some point anyway.
Luckily, Christchurch is very compact, and you can explore the city center on foot.
And if you have an extra day, consider a day trip to the Banks Peninsula. But more about it in another article.
In this blog post, we may have an answer to your nagging question, is Christchurch worth a visit?
Keep on reading and learn about the best things to do in Christchurch, top attractions, and we will also share with you some practical information to make your visit as smooth as possible.
QUAKE CITY MUSEUM
Would you like to learn more about the devastating earthquakes that changed the city forever?
Head to a very informative and moving museum that tells the story about the earthquakes. You will learn a lot about it, from first-hand stories, personal experiences, and informative displays.
The museum is able to give you the information about this tragedy and put it into perspective, that really helps you understand the impact and shows you the reality of life after these devastating events.
As in many other museums in New Zealand, the entrance fee is quite steep.
CITY CENTER
From the contemporary street art to a traditional Edwardian punt ride, from the typical architecture of Isaac Theatre Royal to modern buildings such as Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch city center has for sure a lot to offer.
Walk along a fully pedestrianized New Regent Street, visit the Canterbury Museum, take a ride on a vintage tram, or visit Bridge of Remembrance.
Simply put, there are many things to do in Christchurch that will keep you entertained for hours.
No matter if Christchurch is a must-visit stop on your itinerary or you only have a few hours before your flight, take your time and stroll around the downtown.
HAGLEY PARK
Hagley Park is a great open space near the CBD with plenty of room, tall trees, public golf course (that covers the north half), cricket ground (you will find it in the south part), bike lanes, and picnic areas.
Take your time to enjoy the moment and pleasure of walking around this place away from the busy streets of Christchurch. Allow yourself at least one hour or two to cover the grounds.
And if you like to jog in the morning before you hit the road, this is the place to go.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
Before you leave Hagley Park, head to gorgeous Botanical Gardens. Christchurch Botanical Gardens are free to visit, and this place is absolutely stunning as it offers a large variety of trees and plants.
You can enjoy the diversity of flowers and foliage in the well-maintained gardens year-round, though the best time to visit Christchurch Botanical Gardens is during the spring and summer when everything is in bloom, and the grounds are filled with colors.
Simply put, the Botanical Gardens are a must-visit on your trip to Christchurch.
185 EMPTY WHITE CHAIRS
To pay the respects to the victims of the earthquake, visit the temporary memorial site that reflects the loss of 185 people who died in the 2011 earthquake.
There are 185 empty chairs, the chairs are all white, each chair is different and remind of people who perished in this tragedy.
You will find the memorial behind the Cardboard Cathedral.
CHRISTCHURCH GONDOLA
In less than fifteen minutes, Christchurch Gondola will take you effortlessly to the summit of Mount Cavendish, and reveal one of the best views in the area.
The views over Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and Lyttleton Harbour are superb and worth the ride up despite the somewhat steep ticket price.
That's probably the only flaw in this otherwise great activity, as it's not very budget-friendly.
The ticket includes the Time Tunnel ride, which will show you the dramatic history of the region.
You can urchase a roundtrip Gondola ticket in advance.
The best time to get to the top is early in the morning to soak up morning sunlight and beat the crowds.
If you don't have a car, take the Gondola Shuttle bus, that will take you from the CBD to the lower station for an extra 10 NZD, or just hop on a regular bus line in case you don't want to wait for scheduled departures.
BANKS PENINSULA
What we enjoyed the most from the activities we did in Christchurch was a trip to the Banks Peninsula and a rewarding Mount Herbert hike.
The roads around this picturesque peninsula are very scenic, and the rural scenery is a welcome change from city life. If you look at the map, you will see that the roads are twisting and winding, it looks almost like a giant snake is slithering around the peninsula.
It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to get from Christchurch to Akaroa, and then two hours via the Pigeon Bay and Diamond Harbour to get back.
The hike to Mount Herbert is quite challenging, and the summit is 7.5 kilometers one way with an elevation gain of 950 meters and will require about 6 hours. However, the trail is not that steep, and it's great for visitors who need to stretch their legs a bit.
The views of Diamond Harbour from the top are stunning and the grassy tussocks swaying in the wind make a perfect contrast to the blue color of the ocean.
CHRISTCHURCH TOURS
After your arrival (or before your departure), celebrate your NZ trip with a romantic dinner aboard a vintage tram and enjoy the best sights as you drive around the city center.
Even without a fancy dinner, the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram is a great way to get around Christchurch and explore the best places in the city.
You can arrange many tours in the city, but for any Lord of the Rings fans out there, this well-rated Edoras Tour is a must.
This day tour will show you the best of the marvelous Canterbury region (and New Zealand landscape), and also a place where many scenes from the movies were filmed.
This is a quite remote place, where you will visit the capital of Rohan from the books/movie trilogy and the empire itself.
If you have an extra day in Christchurch, you can join this Akaroa Cruise, and discover the wide array of local wildlife including seals and penguins.
If you don't have a lot of time in New Zealand, but want to see the best of Southern Alps as quickly as possible, then consider a Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo Tour, one of the most amazing places in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
HOW TO GET TO CHRISTCHURCH
Many travelers start or end their trip to New Zealand in Christchurch. The reason is very simple. Christchurch Airport is the second busiest airport in the country after Auckland, and if you want to visit both islands, it doesn't matter in which city you land.
In New Zealand, flying is a popular way to travel between cities on different islands. Most of the domestic flights provide an affordable, quick and efficient way to get to cities such as Auckland or Wellington.
In other words, domestic flights are one of the best ways to get from one island to another.
If you crossed from North Island to South Island by ferry, drive from Picton to Blenheim, and from there, follow the scenic coastal road via Kaikoura all the way down to Christchurch.
In Christchurch, you have two options.
Continue via State Highway 1 to Timaru, Oamaru, Moeraki (you've heard about Moeraki Boulders right?), and finally to Dunedin. This way will take you the most quickly to Invercargill and Bluff, where you can take a ferry to Stewart Island, home to Rakiura Track, kiwis and penguins.
Of course, you can also turn right at Rangitata and follow the road to Tekapo Lake via Geraldine and Fairlie. From there, continue to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
The second possibility is to carry on towards the wild West Coast via Arthur's Pass, where you can do one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, Avalanche Peak Track.
Regardless of your choice, we recommend you to rent a car or campervan.
We've covered this topic more thoroughly in this blog post - Best Ways to Travel Around New Zealand, where you will find more information.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY IN CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch offers a wide range of accommodation for every type of traveler.
From chic hostels for backpackers to boutique hotels for luxury travelers, from holiday parks and holiday homes for families with kids to motels for visitors with vehicles, Christchurch has you covered.
The only thing you need to consider is whether you want to stay near the Christchurch airport or in the CBD close to the best sights Christchurch offers.
Check out our favorite picks for the best hotels in Christchurch.
Budget | YMCA Christchurch - This hostel is super popular with backpackers and budget travelers, has an excellent central location close to the Botanical Gardens, modern shared kitchen, and all the facilities you need, though you need to pay extra for WiFi.
Mid-range | Quest Christchurch Serviced Apartments - This accommodation offers spacious studious and apartments. Apartments are equipped with kitchen and laundry facilities and feature a private balcony. Studios are a bit smaller (and cheaper), but a great option for people who want to dine outside. Quest Christchurch Serviced Apartments is centrally located near to all restaurants, sights, and stores.
Luxury | Crowne Plaza Christchurch - Located in the CBD, Crowne Plaza Christchurch features modern rooms with comfortable beds, hotel library, fully-equipped gym, and many fine dining options. This hotel has a great location close to many popular sights and museums, such as Quake City or the Bridge of Remembrance.
Jailhouse | Jailhouse Accommodation - For someone who's never been in jail prior this stay (and is planning to keep it that way), Jailhouse Accommodation is definitely interesting place to stay while in Christchurch. This building was used as a jail until 1999, and is one of the most popular hostels among backpackers, and has a lot of character. Situated south of Hagley Park, the location is very convenient for travelers with a rental car, as it's a little bit outside of the city, though you can still get to the CBD on foot in 20-30 minutes. You can book rooms for very affordable prices.
Airport | Novotel Christchurch Airport - This is a modern and newly opened hotel near the Christchurch airport. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, stylish and very quiet rooms (despite the proximity to the airport), and very helpful staff. This hotel is perfect for next day early morning flights. If you are a budget traveler, check out the super popular JUCY Snooze Christchurch.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
WHEN TO VISIT CHRISTCHURCH
The main hub for the eastern coast of New Zealand' South Island, Christchurch is an all-year-round destination, though the best time to visit Christchurch is from December to February.
July and August are the coldest months in this region, though the crowds are gone.
June might be one of the best months to visit Christchurch for budget travelers as the prices for hotels will be at their lowest at this time of the year.
And don't forget to pack your windbreaker and a fleece jacket for dreary winter months!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
