Location: Christchurch
Top Things to do in Christchurch
Top Restaurants in Christchurch
Countries
What to do and see in Christchurch, South Island: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,031 reviews
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. Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
Free admission* | Discover New Zealand’s military aviation story at the place where it all began. Engage with stories of the men and women who have helped shape New Zealand’s military aviation journey, and reflect on their service and sacrifice through years of war and peace. Explore the diverse collection at your own pace through immersive exhibitions, or join a free, guided ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. View the historic aircraft on display, embark on a Museum Hunt with the kids, or test your flying skills in the ‘Mosquito Mission’ flight simulator! Price: FREE Admission - *activity charges may apply. Opening Hours: Daily (except Christmas Day), 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Reviewed By supergrumps14 - Durham, United Kingdom
Stopped of here for a brief visit while on a tour of NZ I was impressed by the range of Exhibits on display and the knowledge of the guides friendly staff, and a nice little cafe, and its free, (Donations Welcomed)# well worth a stop off
3. Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,689 reviews
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
4. Canterbury Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,769 reviews
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!
5. Christchurch Gondola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,181 reviews
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!
6. Orana Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,031 reviews
Set in 80 hectares within 15 minutes’ drive of Christchurch Airport, Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. We get you up close and personal with the animals. Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; seeing New Zealand's only gorillas; eye balling the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, or travelling through the Lion Reserve! Over 400 animals representing more than 70 species are displayed at the Park. Regular animal feed presentations occur daily and are accompanied by a presentation from a wildlife guide. Visitors can enjoy the antics of tigers, cheetah, Tasmanian devils, monkeys, meerkats and more. Two large walk-through aviaries enable you to see some of New Zealand’s unique native birds and Orana is home to a wide range of native reptiles. Visitors can pet domestic animals in the Farmyard. Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species. When you visit, you are supporting our conservation work. It’s a full day of fun for everyone at Orana Wildlife Park!
Reviewed By ants811 - Wellington, New Zealand
Absolutely in awe, i have seen animals in Zoos and they do not compare to the size of the animals in this wild life park. The enclosures were ginormous which let the animals freely move around. The Giraffes, Yaks, Buffalo, Lions, Tigers, Spider Monkeys, Gorillas, Orangutans, Cheetahs, Meerkats even the Turtles just seemed closer, bigger, more interactive and available to see. I feel like we must have come at the perfect time because we saw everything, my son loved the silver back, didn't want to leave.
7. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,043 reviews
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.
8. Avon River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 649 reviews
A unique part of the city, the Avon River sustains a diverse plant and animal life and is a source of many recreational activities.
Reviewed By riggersrock - Port Ludlow, United States
Thought it would be a quick little stroll but this park is amazing and the river just calls to you. Found a bench and just enjoyed. Weeping willows are impressive, this place is perfect for photos.
9. Banks Peninsula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,169 reviews
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.
10. Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna o Waiwhetu)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 462 reviews
Reviewed By Champagne552014 - Sydney, Australia
We spent over three hours in this beautifully presented modern Art Gallery, as there was plenty to see, and entry is free. I loved the sailing paintings upstairs, by van der Voorden. He really knew how to portray clouds and waves. The highlight for me was the Ron Mueck silicon sculpture of a man at a table. What brilliant attention to detail (that's real hair). Thank you staff for being so helpful too! If you need a break, there is a lovely restaurant at the entrance, or it is a short stroll to Riverside Markets, which is also well worth a visit. Don't miss this excellent Art Gallery when you next visit Christchurch.
