Exploring Christchurch: Things to do in the city
/I like Christchurch a lot!
I love the positive vibe that radiates from the city, the street art, the cafes. And oh my, all the gardens! It really doesn’t surprise me that Christchurch is also called the Garden City, it’s green literally everywhere in the city centre! From the meandering walking paths along river Avon to the botanical garden and Hagley Park as well as the beaches a short tram ride from the city. It’s clear that a lot of the Christchurch things to do include nature and walking.
Nature in the middle of Christchurch: Hagley Park and the botanic garden
Despite all the positivity and creativity that characterises Christchurch, there are still a lot of reminders of the devastating earthquakes that nearly destroyed the city. The once majestic Christ Church Cathedral is still in ruins, many buildings are fenced off as they’re at risk of collapsing.
Nevertheless (or because of its past), Christchurch is a beautiful city with lots of attractions (many of them free to visit). You should plan on exploring Christchurch for at least one full day when drafting out your NZ itinerary.
In this article, you'll find
Christchurch: Things to do in the city
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Punting on the Avon or paddle yourself
Punting on the Avon River is probably one of the most famous Christchurch attractions. On a wooden boat steered by a punter in an Edwardian outfit, you glide along Christchurch Botanic Garden and Hagley Park.
What is lesser-known is that you can also paddle the river yourself. Antigua Boatshed, a lovely-looking green-white striped shed, is not only the place where punting starts but you can also hire kayaks, rowboats and Canadian canoes by the half-hour or hour.
Paddling on the Avon River is super easy as it’s only really thigh-deep and flows slowly. I took out a single kayak and had lots of relaxing fun. The point where the arms get a little tired is also the point where the water is too shallow to continue, so all you do is turn around your little boat, sit back and slowly float downstream without another paddle stroke.
All the paddle work upstream is done, now just sit back, relax and float back downstream on the avon
Hagley Park & Christchurch Botanic Garden
I feel that Christchurch Botanic Garden is part of Hagley Park. Located behind Canterbury Museum, the botanic garden is lined by the Avon River and goes over into Hagley Park on the other side of the river.
Both green spaces are free to visit and both host a range of events throughout the year. The difference is, Christchurch Botanic Garden is subdivided into themed gardens. In one corner, you can find the Rose Garden, elsewhere lies the Woodland Garden, New Zealand Garden with native plants and many other sections.
Christchurch is one of the few botanic gardens where dogs are not permitted. However, dogs and their families can play in Hagley Park.
Hagley Park Christchurch during one of the many free events
Canterbury Museum
The Canterbury Museum is a great place to learn about New Zealand’s history and worth a visit not only on a rainy day.
The museum is semi-interactive as you get to walk through 19th century Christchurch street and its shops. You’ll learn about Antarctic expeditions (there’s even more to learn at the Christchurch Antarctic Centre), and walk through Fred and Myrtle’s Paua Shell House. Fred and Myrtle used to live in Bluff and decorated their house with Paua shells from the floor to the ceiling. Lots of photo-ops are waiting to be explored.
Entry to the Canterbury Museum is generally free (there might be occasional special exhibits that cost entry)
The Canterbury Museum with the bordering botanical garden
International Antarctic Centre Christchurch
Located next to Christchurch airport, the Antarctic Centre takes you as close to Antarctica you can get without leaving New Zealand.
A favourite with kids and adults alike, you get to fully immerse in the Antarctic experience as you get to ride in a Hägglund (an all-terrain vehicle). Bumping over logs, rocks and driving through deep puddles, the ride imitates what scientists have to expect when they ‘commute’ to work.
Ever been in a blizzard? The Christchurch Antarctic Centre has them every hour! Dressed up in warm winter jackets (provided by the museum), you’ll experience temperatures of -8°C | 17°F and a windchill (felt temperature) of a whopping -18°C | 0°F!
Additionally, you’ll experience the Arctic up close and personal in a 4D cinema experience and go see the Little Blue Penguins at feeding time.
Hop on/hop off sightseeing in the historic Christchurch tram
Once upon a time, the tram was the Number One public transport to get around Christchurch and even all the way to the beaches. Unfortunately, this changed with the rise of Diesel buses and nowadays, the trams are used for hop on/hop off sightseeing tours. The historic trams, which look similar to the ones in San Francisco, are definitely one of the most iconic attractions in Christchurch.
The wooden heritage trams leave Cathedral Square every 15 - 25 minutes. The loop itself takes about 50 minutes if you just stayed on but there are 17 different stops along the way (like Hagley Park, New Regent Street etc) where you can disembark and explore the area before hopping on again and continue. A ticket is valid all day and up to three kids (5 - 15 years) per adult are free to ride along.
go sightseeing by tram with the christchurch tramway. pic by christchurchnz
Eat dinner on the heritage tram
Did you know you can eat dinner on the iconic trams while moving through the city? Tramway Restaurant, New Zealand’s only dinner in a tram, leaves from Cathedral Square every night at 7pm (winter) or 7.30pm (summer) and takes you on a culinary 2.5h journey through Christchurch.
Dinner in the Christchurch tram is an exciting way for a date night or dinner with friends. Not only will the scenery outside your window keep changing but you’re also treated to an amazing 4-course meal as well as a welcome bubbly and tea or coffee after dinner.
There are only 36 seats available on the tram so bookings are mandatory.
Christchurch sightseeing on foot
Christchurch’s inner city is small enough to easily get around on foot and on a sunny day, that’s the best way to see Christchurch. You’ll probably hit your 10k step goal quickly but only by walking you’ll be able to stop and discover all the little laneways and streets you’d otherwise only drive past.
A place to explore is definitely New Regent Street. The shops, the cafes with seated areas outside, the trams driving past...you could think you’re somewhere in the heart of Europe. If shopping is your forte, you’ll have to pay High Street a visit. The shopping street was hit hard by the earthquake but was since rebuilt and is looking absolutely fabulous!
Walking around Christchurch, chances are you’ll at some point cross over the Bridge of Remembrance. While the city has many events in its history to remember, the bridge was built to commemorate the soldiers who died in WWI.
And you know, when you get tired, there’s always a cafe nearby or a park bench under a leafy tree.
Could be mistaken for europe: New Regent Street. Pic by Christchurchnz
Christchurch Farmers Market
If you’re a foodie, you don’t want to miss visiting the Christchurch Farmer’s Market at the historic Riccarton House just outside the city centre. Every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, you can taste your way through Christchurch’s artisan delicacies. Grab yourself a coffee and something to sink your teeth in, find a spot at Avon’s river bank and relax while listening to live music. The weekend doesn’t get any better than this.
Farmers market at the riccarton homestead in christchurch. pic by christchurchnz
Earthquake reminders
We know that New Zealand sits not only on the Pacific Ring of Fire but also right on the edge of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates. One proof of this are the volcanoes and geothermal activities but New Zealand is also at risk of major earthquakes.
In 2010 and 2011, a series of auch earthquakes occurred in the region of Canterbury (known as the Canterbury Earthquakes). The most devastating quake on 04 February 2011 not only widely destroyed Christchurch’s infrastructure but also cost 185 lives.
The reminders of these devastating earthquakes are still visible throughout Christchurch. The iconic Christ Church Cathedral is still in ruins, plenty of buildings are unsafe to enter and are fenced off. A lot of empty lots can be found where buildings used to stand, even though new buildings are slowly rising now.
The terrace in christchurch has been completely rebuilt after the earthquakes
Learning about how and why the earthquakes occur in the Canterbury region and New Zealand in general as well as hearing stories of the survivors are just as much of a must-do in Christchurch as your usual sightseeing. It’s not about dark tourism but acknowledging and remembering.
There are a few impressive places in Christchurch where you can see the impact the catastrophy had on the locals and also how they manage to stay as positive as they do.
Christ Church Cathedral
The brick cathedral in the heart of Christchurch was bult between 1864 and 1904. The iconic cathedral has been damaged repeatedly in earthquakes over the decades but the worst damage was caused by the February 4 (2011) quake. The church was severely damaged, parts of the building then had to be destroyed and another collapsed.
The cathedral has since been fenced off and since 2019, builders are doing stabilisation work to eventually rebuild the church. You can follow the process and timeline of the rebuild here.
Not a pretty sight but part of christchurch’s recent and older history: CHrist Church Cathedral ruins
Cardboard Cathedral
While the Christ Church Cathedral is being repaired, worshippers have moved to what was formerly known as the Transitional Cathedral but is a lot more famous under the name Cardboard Cathedral.
While, despite its name, it’s not completely made of cardboard, the transitional cathedral is made from material probably no one ever thought of using to build a church. The walls are formed by eight shipping containers, the roof is made of polycarbonate and the beams on the ceiling, along with other parts of the build, are re-inforced, waterproofed cardboard tubes.
The Cardboard Cathedral was opened in 2014 and has long become a Christchurch tourism attraction of its own. I doubt it will be destroyed once Christ Church Cathedral opens again.
By day or night, visiting the cardboard cathedral is definitely one of the christchurch things do do
185 Empty Chairs
The Canterbury Earthquakes in 2011 claimed 185 lives. As a way to remember the 185 people who have died, artist Peter Majendie took 185 individual chairs (as a an acknowledgement that every person was special) painted them white and arranged them within 185sqm space.
The art installation was placed in one of the now empty lots from where a building used to stand. Over the years it has been moved around the city as the vacant lots are being rebuilt and I’m not sure where the chairs are located now. But if you ask the receptionist in your hotel or go to the local iSite, they will be able to tell you where to find the 185 empty chairs.
185 empty white chairs to remember the 185 lives lost during the Canterbury Earthquakes
Quake City
Quake City tells the story of the devastating earth quakes. Not only will you learn the science behind what exactly happened in the ground before, during and after the earthquake. You’ll also hear stories of people who experienced the quakes on the streets, people who were trapped in half-collapsed buildings and the heroes who often gave everything they had physically and mentally to help the victims. Additionally you can see artifacts of buildings, like the buckled steel rods of the Grand Chancellor Hotel, the fallen spire of Christ Church Cathedral or a bell from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Where to stay in Christchurch
Breakfree on Cashel
If you’re looking for a colourful, quirky and affordable hotel in Christchurch city, Breakfree on Cashel is your place to stay!
The hotel is ideally located not only because the airport bus only stops a few hundred meters away but you also have Christchurch’s shopping haven, High Street, right at your doorstep. You can also find a lot of bars and clubs within a few minutes walk without having to endure the noise of the partygoers all night long.
The rooms are comfy and modern and decorated in poppy colours. They offer everything you need. The rooms are generally on the smaller side but because it’s a city hotel, I don’t find this to be an issue.
When you book, make sure to either book a Premium King Room which is the biggest room type with 25sqm | 269sqft or choose one of the ‘City’ rooms. The ‘Inner’ rooms are still cool don’t have windows and I know this can freak people out.
Breakfree on Cashel has a pretty extensive breakfast buffet in the funky reception area that is worth paying for. The buffet is also accessible for non-guests.
fresh and colourful christchurch accommodation: Reception at breakfree on cashel
Hotel 115
A funky 4* boutique hotel, Hotel 115 is only a stone’s throw from New Regent Street, the perfect spot for your morning coffee and afternoon drinks.
The hotel only has 37 individually designed rooms, starting with an 18sqm | 193sqft Standard Room and going all the way to the 60sqm | 645sqft Mayfair Suite. The rooms are designed in a modern Art Deco style to fit the building Hotel 115 is located in.
Families will especially love the hotel’s family rooms as they’re furnished as a home away from home. Child-friendly bunk beds, play corners and toys can be found in the children’s room while the adult room still feels stylish.
There’s no cafe or restaurant in the hotel but with New Regent Street just around the corner and Christchurch’s centre in walking distance, you don’t really need much more than a lovely room anyway.
Make it a (weekend) getaway
Why not make it a Christchurch getaway? On our very own booking website Weekend Getaways NZ, you’ll find getaways of 1 - 3 nights as well as discount codes for your favourite attractions, tours and accommodation all over New Zealand!
Find even more things to do in Christchurch and Canterbury
Click here for more info about Christchurch and Northern Canterbury (Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs etc)
Click here for more info about Mid-Canterbury and the Mackenzie District (Tekapo, Mt Cook etc)
