10 Things to do in Christchurch That You Shouldn't Miss

December 3, 2021 Osvaldo Hartline

Christchurch abounds with arts, adventure, and optimism. It's the gateway to the beautiful Canterbury region, featuring dramatic vistas and adventure sports set against a backdrop of lofty peaks. In the central city, more and more attractions and businesses reopen to the public each day.
Restaurants in Christchurch

1. Margaret Mahy Family Playground

Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-941 8999 http://ccdu.govt.nz/projects-and-precincts/margaret-mahy-family-playground
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,031 reviews

Margaret Mahy Family Playground

Reviewed By 383garthn

There are a wide variety of activities for all levels - water fun, climbing, swinging, relaxing, flying fox, sliding, spinning, and so much more. The teens and older take over at night, and seem to have as much fun as the children.

2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Rolleston Ave, Christchurch New Zealand +64 3-941 7590 [email protected] http://ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,689 reviews

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

At the heart of Christchurch's reputation as the Garden City, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty. Showcasing flora and fauna of New Zealand and other parts of the world, the Gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand. With more than 1.1 Million visitors each year the Botanic Gardens are one of the Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions.

Reviewed By Addie1960 - Maroochydore, Australia

I hopped off the city tram across from the gardens, the flowering trees and blossoms were in full bloom, very beautiful and peaceful plenty of seats and green grass to sit and relax, and the waterways were great Very well taken care of, pet friendly park

3. Canterbury Museum

11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-366 5000 [email protected] http://www.canterburymuseum.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,769 reviews

Canterbury Museum

Free entry (donations appreciated) where you can experience New Zealand's rich cultural and natural history. See rare Maori artefacts and more than 1,000 paua shells adorning the walls of the famous Paua Shell House. Walk down the Christchurch Street and be transported back in time with the sights and sounds of the city's pioneering days. Discover one of the world's most significant collections from the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery. Regular temporary exhibitions.

Reviewed By pancj2018 - Lima, Peru

This is a terrific local/regional museum. It has one of the best Maori exhibits in all of New Zealand, which in itself is enough to justify a visit. They have an excellent discussion of jade/nephrite, which can be very helpful for future shopping, as well as wonderful presentations of Maori art and material culture. They also have traditional natural history exhibitions of NZ birds and wildlife which we found highly informative. I spent my career working in a natural history museum and found the Canterbury Museum a good representative of the type. Admission is free!

4. Christchurch Gondola

10 Bridle Path Road, Christchurch 8022 New Zealand +64 3-384 0310 [email protected] http://www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch_gondola/
Excellent
51%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,181 reviews

Christchurch Gondola

For a “top” experience in Christchurch (15 minute drive from central city), enjoy a relaxing ride to the summit of the Port Hills. Spectacular 360 degree views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour, the majestic Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains. Plenty to see and do - experience the Time Tunnel Ride, go shopping, relax and enjoy a snack or beverage at the Red Rock Cafe.

Reviewed By TonyBCambs

The only way to travel - it's quick and efficient and good value, and has the benfit of great views from the top!

5. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

60 Hussey Road, Christchurch 8051 New Zealand +64 3-359 6226 [email protected] http://www.willowbank.co.nz/
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,043 reviews

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.

Reviewed By 757denised - Parks, United States

Wonderfull done with lots of beautiful birds and original farm animals for this area and a great Kiwi habitat were you can see the birds up and personal. went to several other but this was by far the best.

6. TranzAlpine Train

Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,436 reviews

TranzAlpine Train

The TranzAlpine is a long-distance train between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. Unlike normal passenger trains, the TranzAlpine is designed to provide a window to New Zealand's best scenery, with large reclined seating and huge panoramic windows. The spectacular TranzAlpine journey begins by roaming through the vast farmsteads of the Canterbury Plains to the spectacular gorges and valleys of the Waimakariri River. The TranzAlpine then ascends into the majestic Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass National Park, before descending through lush beech forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth - a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always-popular glaciers. All services feature panoramic windows, reclined seating, GPS triggered at-seat commentary, a fully licensed cafe, toilets, and open air viewing decks. The TranzAlpine is operated by The Great Journeys of New Zealand, and runs daily throughout the year.

7. Banks Peninsula

575 Summit Road, Christchurch 8081 New Zealand +64 3-304 7641 http://www.akaroa.com
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,169 reviews

Banks Peninsula

Banks Peninsula near Christchurch, New Zealand is a must see for its stunning views, beautiful bays and quirky campgrounds. Little River is the gateway to the peninsula. The township has a hotel/pub, 2 cafes, a petrol station, art gallery, craft store and small museum. There are B&Bs, plus the Little River Campground in Okuti Valley Road. They have affordable campervan parks with power, cabins and tentsites set beside a river. The southern bays have some of the best surf, if you know the secret spots as well as good, safe swimming beaches, walking tracks and the Little River Rail Trail. It is a a place that is often over looked as tourists head to Akaroa. If you want to experience more than the usual, to get off the beaten track and really explore, ask at the craft station, which has an info centre.

Reviewed By Edmundo_de_ABQ - Albuquerque, United States

Beautiful drive between Akaroa and Christchurch with many different points of beauty and interest to see along the way. Worth taking the time to traverse the highway running through it.

8. International Antarctic Centre

38 Orchard Road International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch 8053 New Zealand +64 3-357 0519 [email protected] http://www.iceberg.co.nz/
Excellent
52%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,724 reviews

International Antarctic Centre

It's the ultimate Antarctic adventure! Experience the dramatic seasonal lighting in the four seasons of Antarctica show where it 'snows' every 6 minutes. Venture out on to 'the ice' from Scott Base to play in 'Antarctica' the snow & ice experience and survive an Antarctic storm! How long can you hold your hand in the icy Antarctic water? Hang out with Little Blue Penguins, buckle up for the famously exciting Hagglund ride, take an awesome simulated 4D Antarctic cruise, watch Happy Feet 4D, then watch a stunning movie on a MASSIVE screen! It's the closest you'll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition!

Reviewed By vpmuscat - New South Wales, Australia

We visited the antartic centre on our way to Picton so we only had around 3 hours to spare which was perfect for us and we were able to see pretty much everything though you could spend longer there if you wish, coats and shoe covers are provided for the Antarctic experience, the penguin talk is very informative and the penguins are very cute too, and the hagglund ride is a bit of fun as well as educational and the 4D movies are excellent, a must do when visiting Christchurch.

9. Quake City

299 Durham Street North, Christchurch 8011 New Zealand +64 3-365 8375 [email protected] http://www.canterburymuseum.com
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,692 reviews

Quake City

Quake City tells stories of heroism, hope and loss from the Canterbury earthquakes. This special exhibition from Canterbury Museum explains the science and the phenomenon of liquefaction – when the shaking liquefied the ground and it bubbled up burying street and sinking buildings. Quake City charts the aftermaths of the September 2010 and 22 February 2011 earthquakes and the extraordinary response of the emergency services, international rescue teams, the thousands of volunteers who pitched in to help – construction workers, the Student Volunteer Army, the Farmy Army – and the incredible resilience of Canterbury’s communities. Exhibition includes some of the objects which have defined the Canterbury earthquakes including the spire of Christ Church Cathedral and the clocks from the former railway station.

Reviewed By IanStrat - St. Albans, United Kingdom

Quake city was well worth the visit...especially as the entry fee goes to help support some of the contuinued rebuilding of christchurch Despite it appearing quite small from the outside, it was easy to spend an hour or more walking through the exhibits,,, you could spend longer listening to the various stories...some of which are heartbreaking. The technical details on the earthquake were also fascinating - especially how the mud shifted from solid to liquid via liquifaction. For me the most poignant exhibit was the cathedral cross...as was seeing the rose window... so much more powerful after visiting the hulk of the cathedral site as well Very definitely a worthwhile destination for any visitor

10. 185 Empty White Chairs - Earthquake Memorial

Corner of Cashel and Madras Street, Christchurch New Zealand http://www.facebook.com/pages/185-chairs-earthquake-remembrance-art-installation/185356334906566?sk=timeline
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,833 reviews

185 Empty White Chairs - Earthquake Memorial

Reviewed By AmandaH4789

This was a very poignant reminder of the earthquake tragedy and we were amazed that it is safe from vandalism for people to see the stark white chairs as a memorial

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.