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 in New Zealand — 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

a river at Christchurch Botanic garden — 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

a tram on New Regent Street, Christchurch — 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

the He Puna Taimoana Hot Pools in Christchurch — 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

Port Hills in Christchurch — 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

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Experience history and Māori culture

Christchurch views from Port Hills — 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

Pinot Noir and Riesling Vineyard in Canterbury — 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

the Eyre River at Canterbury Plains — 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/

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.