Christchurch

Best arrival airport

Christchurch Airport (CHC) — domestic & international

Getting around

Metro buses cover the city; a car is useful for Banks Peninsula and South Island routes

Typical transfer

CHC to city centre: usually 20–30 min

Tramway tour

From the centre: Central-city tram stops • usually walkable

Visit information: Open daily 9 AM–5 PM; last full circuit departs Stop 1 about 60 minutes before closing

A narrated hop-on hop-off heritage tram circuit through central Christchurch.

Riverside Market

From the centre: 0.3 km • about 4 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Market open daily; individual vendors and restaurants set their own hours

A central covered market of food stalls, produce vendors, small retailers and restaurants beside the Avon.

New Regent Street

From the centre: 0.4 km • about 5 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Public street open at all times; businesses set their own hours

A colourful heritage street of small shops, cafés and tram tracks in the central city.

Quake City

From the centre: 0.5 km • about 6 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Open daily 10 AM–5 PM; closed Christmas Day

A Canterbury Museum exhibition explaining the Canterbury earthquakes, recovery and engineering stories.

Cardboard Cathedral

From the centre: 0.6 km • about 7 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Visitor access fits around services and events; check the cathedral’s current daily hours

Shigeru Ban’s transitional cathedral combines cardboard tubes, timber and coloured glass near the earthquake memorial precinct.

Margaret Mahy Playground

From the centre: 0.7 km • about 8 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Public playground open daily; daylight and early evening are most practical

A large central-city playground with water play, climbing equipment and spaces for different ages.

Christchurch Art Gallery

From the centre: 0.9 km • about 10–12 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Open daily 10 AM–5 PM, with late opening Wednesday; closed Christmas Day

The city’s main public art gallery presents New Zealand and international exhibitions in a central contemporary building.

Canterbury Museum Pop-Up

From the centre: 1 km • about 12 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Daily 9 AM–5:30 PM October–March; 9 AM–5 PM April–September

Collection highlights and changing exhibitions at the museum’s temporary venue, 66 Gloucester Street, while the Rolleston Avenue building is redeveloped.

Botanic Gardens

From the centre: 1.5 km • about 12 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Gardens open daily 7 AM; closing varies seasonally from 6:30 PM to 9 PM

A large central collection of native and international plants beside the Avon River in Hagley Park.

Hagley Park

From the centre: 1.5 km • about 15–20 min walk from Cathedral Square

Visit information: Public park open at all times; visit in daylight

Christchurch’s major central green space offers walking, cycling, sports fields and connections to the Botanic Gardens.

Riccarton House and Bush

From the centre: 6 km • about 15 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Bush gates and house tours have separate published schedules; guided house access is timed

A heritage homestead beside a protected remnant of kahikatea forest and the Avon tributary.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

From the centre: 11 km • about 15–20 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Open daily 9:30 AM–5 PM; kiwi house from 10:30 AM. Closed Christmas Day

A wildlife reserve featuring native species, farm animals and international wildlife, including a nocturnal kiwi house.

International Antarctic Centre

From the centre: 11 km • about 20 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Open daily 9 AM–4:30 PM; closed Christmas Day

An interactive airport-area attraction covering Antarctic science, wildlife, storms and transport.

Christchurch Gondola

From the centre: 12 km • about 20 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Open daily 10 AM–4 PM; last ride down 60 minutes after closing. Maintenance closures may apply

A cableway climbs the Port Hills for panoramic city, harbour and mountain views.

Air Force Museum

From the centre: 11 km • about 20 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Open daily 9:30 AM–4:30 PM; closed Christmas Day

New Zealand military aviation history displayed through aircraft, personal stories and interactive exhibitions at Wigram.

Port Hills

From the centre: 10–15 km • about 20–30 min to the chosen Port Hills access

Visit information: Public tracks open subject to weather, fire risk and temporary closures; visit in daylight

A broad network of hilltop viewpoints, walking routes and cycling trails between Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour.

Lyttelton Harbour

From the centre: 13 km • about 25 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Public town and waterfront accessible daily; ferries and venues follow scheduled hours

A volcanic harbour and port town reached through the road tunnel or over the Port Hills, with walks and ferry connections.

Orana Wildlife Park

From the centre: 18 km • about 25 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Open daily 10 AM–5 PM; last admission 4 PM. Closed Christmas Day

An open-range wildlife park outside the city featuring large mammals, native species and scheduled presentations.

Sumner Beach

From the centre: 12 km • about 25 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Public beach open at all times; swim in daylight and between patrol flags when available

A popular seaside suburb with a sandy beach, promenade, cafés and views toward Cave Rock.

Akaroa day trip

From the centre: 82 km • about 1 hr 25 min drive from central Christchurch

Visit information: Town accessible daily; allow 1.5 hours each way and book cruises to their scheduled departures

A scenic Banks Peninsula harbour town known for French heritage, cruises, wildlife and waterfront walks.

5th Street

A popular Sydenham restaurant built around shared plates, seasonal produce and group dining.

Twenty Seven Steps

An intimate central restaurant above New Regent Street serving seasonal European-influenced food.

King of Snake

A stylish central restaurant offering Asian-inspired sharing plates and cocktails.

ROCA

A central-city restaurant focused on Mediterranean-inspired sharing dishes and local ingredients.

The Monday Room

A neighbourhood restaurant known for seasonal shared menus, brunches and group occasions.

North South Holiday Park

An airport-side holiday park convenient for rental-vehicle collection, late arrivals and north–south road trips.

Tasman Holiday Parks - Christchurch

A useful tasman holiday parks - christchurch option to include while planning your visit.

Spencer Beach Holiday Park

A coastal forest holiday park north of Christchurch with powered sites, cabins, beach access and recreation space.