The best things to do in Christchurch

The Garden City has no shortage of activities to keep everyone happy.

As the South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is your urban gateway to the south. Start by exploring its vibrant city centre. Check out the coast, before venturing beyond its borders to an incredible wine region and the West Coast by rail.

Planning a trip to Christchurch? With our list of best things to do in Christchurch, we’ve got you covered.

In short

If you do one thing in Christchurch make it the two-hour Ōtautahi City Meander tour with Āmiki. Featuring art, history, culture and food, it’s the perfect all-round walking tour of New Zealand’s River City.

Explore and shop Christchurch’s artistic centre

The Christchurch Art Centre pays homage to the city’s vibrant art scene. (Credit: Getty/pespiero)

Take to your feet to navigate the city centre with art as your guide. There’s the Gothic Revival Arts Centre/Te Matatiki Toi Ora, stretching over an entire city block from the corner of Rolleston Ave and Worcester Boulevard. Inside you’ll find exhibitions, galleries, museums and the gorgeous Frances Nation gift shop selling New Zealand-made goods and crafts. Close by is Christchurch Art Gallery/Te Puna o Waiwhetū, one of the country’s leading galleries. Meanwhile, outside the Woven Mats of Welcome/Ngā Whāriki ki Manaaki is a collection of 13 public artworks that acts as both a self-guided walk and a warm welcome to city visitors. Look for signage marking the start of the walk between the Avon/Ōtākaro River and Colombo Street.

BOOK IT: Christchurch Art Gallery is free to enter, open 10am-5pm daily and located on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street. Enquire at reception about free guided tours, talks and events for families and kids. Learn more at: christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Commune with the river

Punting on the Avon River is the best way to admire Christchurch’s beautiful botanic gardens. (Credit: Getty/huafires)

The picturesque Avon River meanders through the centre of Christchurch fringed by leafy willows. Its banks are great for picnics (grab yours from Riverside Market). Hire your vessel of choice to row, kayak or punt its reaches and to admire Christchurch’s beautiful botanic gardens from the water. On its south bank, you’ll find Oi Manawa, a moving memorial to the 2010/2011 earthquakes that changed the city forever.

BOOK IT: 30-minute guided punting tours of the Avon River, departing from the Antigua Boat Sheds or the Worcester Bridge daily, can be booked online at: christchurchattractions.nz

Grab a bite or drink at New Regent Street

Enjoy a gelato as vintage trams roll past you. (Credit: Getty/travellinglight)

The colourful inner city street, New Regent Street, where both locals and tourists gather was one of New Zealand’s first shopping malls built in the Spanish Mission architectural style of the 1930s. In its place is now a bright, pastel-hued pedestrian area of cafes, bars and restaurants and outdoor seating. Pop into Rollickin’ Gelato for a gelato or sorbet. Gin Gin serves gin cocktails and small bites. Get there on Christchurch’s heritage tram, which frequently loops the city centre, stopping at New Regent Street.

BOOK IT: An all-day heritage tram ticket, circling the city centre, can be booked at the tram departure point and Christchurch Attractions booking office (off Cathedral Square) or online, at: christchurchattractions.nz

Soak in New Brighton’s hot water pools

Soothe your muscles at He Puna Taimoana while soaking up unbeatable views of Pegasus Bay. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

Not content with leaving New Brighton beach to the surf crowd, Christchurch has added five luxurious ocean-front hot pools, a plunge pool, sauna and steam room to its favourite coastline. Temperatures range from 299 to 36 degrees in the warmest pools to 10 degrees in the plunge pool. A 15-minute drive from the city, the New Brighton Hot Pools/He Puna Taimoana are family-friendly (though there is an adults-only late night session on Fridays from 8pm). Bookings recommended.

BOOK IT: Chance it and buy your tickets on the day at New Brighton Hot Pools at 195 Marine Parade or go online to buy pool entry tickets or a multi-day pass. See: hepunataimoana.co.nz/buy-now

See the city from the Port Hills/Te Poho-o-Tamatea

Ride a gondola for breathtaking vistas above Christchurch Port Hills. (Credit: Getty/Beautifulblossom)

With its network of hiking and cycle trails and easy access by scenic gondola, Christchurch’s Port Hills/Te Poho-o-Tamatea are the ideal spot for expansive views over the city, the pretty port town of Lyttelton/Ōhinehou Harbour and beyond. Drive to the gondola entrance at 10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley or take the gondola shuttle that departs from Cathedral Square in the city centre.

BOOK IT: Gondola shuttle and gondola passes can be booked online at: christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch-gondola

Experience history and Māori culture

Connect with nature and culture in Christchurch. (Credit: Getty/KiraVolkov)

To appreciate Christchurch’s fascinating history, join Āmiki on a city walking tour. Learn about the three waves of Ngāi Tahu (Christchurch’s primary iwi or tribe) migration to the region and the city’s European settlement with local guides Cate and Riwai Grace. See how local culture features in the city’s rebuild, following the 2010-2011 earthquakes. Touch a precious greenstone kōhatu (stone) gifted to the city by a local hapū (Ngāi Tahu sub tribe) as a way of connecting to the city and the people who have lived there.

BOOK IT: Āmiki tours, ranging from 90 minutes to three hours in duration, can be booked online at: amiki.rezdy.com

Day trip to North Canterbury’s boutique wine region

The Waipara Valley is renowned as the premier producer of pinot noir and riesling in Canterbury. (Credit: Getty/Photon-Photos)

Wine tasting in the Waipara Valley, about an hour’s drive from Christchurch in North Canterbury, is the prime day trip. Greystone is easy to find (look for the signpost and turn off from the State Highway). It has a delicious selection of organic regional wines (pinot noir and chardonnay are standouts) available by the glass and bottle at the winery’s cellar door and restaurant. Down the road is the staggeringly good Black Estate, specialising in organic and biodynamic wine, with an award-winning restaurant set in a modern black farmhouse. If you have time, consider staying a night in the valley. Both Greystone and Black Estate offer high-end vineyard accommodation for couples: an off-grid glass PurePod cabin at Greystone and a bed and breakfast on Black Estate’s Home vineyard.

BOOK IT: Leisure Tour’s five-hour Waipara Wine Trail tour explores a range of North Canterbury wineries such as Greystone and Black Estate, picking up from Christchurch’s Cathedral Square. Book online at: leisuretours.co.nz/day tour/waipara-wine-trail/

Ride the TranzAlpine to the West Coast

Eyre River snakes through the Canterbury Plains. (Credit: Getty/simonbradfield)

The half-day TranzAlpine rail journey from Christchurch to Greymouth/Māwhera has built its reputation not only on the route’s incredible scenery – you travel over the Canterbury Plains through the Southern Alps and across wetlands to the West Coast – but also for Scenic Plus, an optional dining experience you can include on the trip.

BOOK IT: Book your rail journey (and Scenic Plus experience), departing Christchurch Railway Station, online through Great Journeys of New Zealand, at: greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/tranzalpine-train/