What to do in Christchurch
Looking for things to do in Christchurch? Click below for information on:
- Highlights of central Christchurch
- Other Christchurch attractions
- Walks near Christchurch
- Restaurants and cafes in Christchurch
- Wine in Canterbury
For a print version, go to the bottom of the page.
Highlights of central Christchurch
Central Christchurch's most interesting attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.
The centrepiece of Cathedral Square is Christchurch Cathedral, the city’s gothic revival Anglican cathedral. Climb the 36-metre tower for an excellent view of the inner city. More information is at the Christchurch Cathedral website. The other prominent feature in the Square is 18-metre high Chalice, one of sculptor Neil Dawson’s great public artworks. The conical structure represents leaves of native trees of Canterbury, swirling in an eddy of the nor’west wind.
The Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, located in a baroque Edwardian building on Cathedral Square, provides a good interpretation-based introduction to some of the animals on the land and in the seas of New Zealand. More information is at the Southern Encounter website.
The central city’s biggest asset is the River Avon, which meanders very pleasantly through the city. The broad grassy edges make for the city’s most charming lunch spots. In recent years, the City Council has encouraged the natural growth of native plants such as sedges and rushes on the river banks, and this has seen an increase in waterfowl and aquatic life. How many cities of this size can boast trout in the city centre?
Victoria Square, with early 20th century statues of Queen Victoria and explorer James Cook, is a reminder of the very strong sentiment still attached to Britain at that time. Near the Avon River is a pou, a tall Maori carving with themes of Maori mythology and the relationship of the local Ngai Tahu tribe with the land and resources in Canterbury.
The Canterbury Provincial Buildings date from a period in the mid 19th century when the Canterbury province enjoyed a large degree of self rule. Amazingly, few visitors venture inside, yet the exuberant gothic revival interior of the stone debating chamber (completed 1865) is one of the finest building interiors in New Zealand and is definitely worth a look. While there, don't miss the older wooden debating chamber, modelled on a fourteenth century manorial hall. When the complex is open, the entrance is indicated by a small footpath sign in Durham St. Click here for more information.
The new (2003) Christchurch Art Gallery is a striking glass-fronted building. The galleries have permanent collections of Canterbury and New Zealand art, and seasonal exhibitions, many from abroad. More information at the Christchurch Art Gallery website.
Christchurch Arts Centre: When the University of Canterbury moved to the suburbs in the 1960s, central Christchurch lost a vibrant link to the academic world. In compensation, the city gained the university’s vacant collection of Gothic revival stone buildings, quadrangles and cloisters, which now house the city’s Arts Centre. The workshops, galleries, shops, cafes, cinemas and weekend market are a popular place to wander around. More information at the Christchurch Arts Centre website. A must for anyone with an interest in science is Rutherford’s Den, where ‘the father of nuclear physics’, Ernest Rutherford, carried out his first ever experiments as a post-graduate student. Click here for more information on Ernest Rutherford and Rutherford’s Den.
An entertaining way to spend an evening is to book on to the Arts Centre's Ghost Walk ... if you dare...
Canterbury Museum: In the late 19th century, the museum traded moa bones found in Canterbury, for artefacts from around the world. Consequently the museum has a surprisingly good collection for a city of this size. There are exhibitions of New Zealand’s natural history, Maori art and culture, and early European settlement in Christchurch. More information at the Canterbury Museum website. Anyone with an interest in Antarctic exploration should visit Canterbury Museum's Antarctic Galleries, which house artefacts from the Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton expeditions of the early 20th century; also vehicles used in the first ever successful trans-Antarctic expedition (Fuchs-Hillary, 1958), and a fully reconstructed scientific station returned from the ice.
The Christchurch Botanical Gardens are 30 hectares (74 acres) within a picturesque loop of the Avon River. The first plantings were in 1863, only 13 years after the founding of Christchurch. There is now an extensive collection of specimen trees from around the world. There are also large beds of annual and perennial flowering plants, and a number of conservatories. There is also a large New Zealand native tree and shrub section. For more information on the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, click here.
Encircling the Botanical Gardens on the west side of the city centre is Hagley Park, Christchurch city's largest park. Ringed by trees (mostly oaks), with sports fields, ponds and a network of paths, this is where you can find wide open spaces within minutes walking of the city centre.
Christ's College, next to the Canterbury Museum, is one of the oldest schools in New Zealand, and has a number of historic buildings attractively arranged around a large quadrangle in the tradition of old public schools in Britain. You can peer through the gates at the quadrangle, but to go further you need to take a tour, which run three times per week in the summer months.
Other Christchurch attractions
The International Antarctic Centre is the world's largest public attraction dedicated to Antarctica. Highlights include the "Snow and Ice Experience" (put on a jacket, step on to the snow and experience the chill of an Antarctic wind); a stunning 14-minute audio-visual; and galleries of Antarctic natural history, marine life, polar exploration and modern-day Antarctic bases. The Little Blue Penguin enclosure allows you to get up close to these engaging creatures, and the underwater viewing is a delight at feeding time. The International Antarctic Centre is located within easy walking distance of Christchurch International Airport, so can be easily combined with your flight out of the city. For more information on the International Antarctic Centre, click here.
Riccarton Bush is the largest surviving remnant of the forests that once covered the Canterbury Plains in pre-human times, and it is situated right in Christchurch, only ten minutes driving (or an easy bus ride or 40 minute walk) from the city centre. As you walk among the tall kahikatea trees, only the distant hum of traffic tells you that you are in a large city. With its diverse native trees, climbers and ferns, it is recommended for anyone with a botanical interest. A new predator-proof fence means that you'll see and hear various native birds including the fantail, grey warbler, bellbird and keruru (NZ's large native pigeon). A visit to Riccarton Bush (and Deans Cottage, below) is part of The Inside Story's full-day Total Christchurch tour. For more information on Riccarton Bush, click here and here.
Right next to Riccarton Bush is Deans Cottage, the oldest remaining building on the Canterbury Plains. It was constructed by the pioneering Deans brothers from Scotland in 1843, seven years before Christchurch itself was founded. The cottage and the much larger Riccarton House (adjacent) are in a lovely park-like setting by the Avon River (here a small stream), dominated by large exotic trees planted by the Deans over 150 years ago. For more information on Riccarton House and Deans Cottage, click here.
Christchurch's landmark Maori heritage attraction is the brand new Tamaki Heritage Village at Ferrymead. Every evening, the Village presents the show "Lost in our own Land", the story of the Maori people over the last two centuries. This is a bold concept using re-enactments and theatre set in a reconstructed traditional Maori village, fortified pa and a colonial town. The show is followed by a meal. Price includes transportation from your accommodation. Since much of the show is outdoors, remember to dress warmly. For more information on the Tamaki Heritage Village, click here.
If you are an aviation lover, visit the Air Force Museum at Wigram. There are 28 historical military aircraft (World War II and post-war), plus hands-on displays, under the one roof. For more information on the Air Force Museum, click here.
Walks near Christchurch
Away from central Christchurch, the best walks are in the once-volcanic Port Hills on the southern edge of the city. A network of tracks weave around rock outcrops, through patches of native forest and scrub, and across tussock tops. The full traverse is known as the Crater Rim Walkway - since it often meets the Summit Road (and other roads), it is easy to just walk sections of this track at a time. There are fantastic views over the city and Canterbury Plains to the mountains, and also across Lyttelton Harbour.
Best access by city bus is to the hill suburb of Cashmere, and then taking a track through Victoria Park to the Summit Road. Another good possibility is to take a bus to the Gondola, and from there walk up the steep Bridle Path to the Summit Road and continue down to Lyttelton, from where you can catch a bus back to Christchurch. Or alternatively, take the Gondola to the crest of the hills and walk back down to the Gondola bottom station via the Crater Rim Walkway and Bridle Path.
There are also excellent coastal walks such as the Scarborough Walkway and the Boulder Bay track, near the seaside suburbs of Sumner and Taylors Mistake. City buses run to Sumner.
You will find some walking information at the Christchurch i-SITE in Cathedral Square. The best place for information and brochures on walks in and around Christchurch is the Christchurch City Council at 163-173 Tuam St. Alternatively there are several excellent walking guides by Mark Pickering, covering the Christchurch and Canterbury region – these booklets are available at most good Christchurch bookshops.
You may also like to arrange an exclusive custom tour with The Inside Story, to step out on some of the best short walks in the region.
If you want to do some serious hiking (or 'tramping' as we call it in New Zealand), then get advice, maps and brochures from the Christchurch office of the Department of Conservation (DOC) at 133 Victoria St. There's also plenty of information on the Department of Conservation's website.
Restaurants and cafes in Christchurch
If you are staying near the centre of Christchurch, a number of great restaurants and cafes are within walking distance.
In and near the Arts Centre, the Dux de Lux ('The Dux') is a local institution serving vegetarian and seafood. Casual, counter service in tasteful surroundings - a good place to drop in if you haven't booked anything. Annie's Wine Bar and Restaurant is also in the Arts Centre - it comes with ambience and good NZ cuisine. In Worcester Boulevard, right opposite the Arts Centre, is the very popular and cheerful bistro-style Cook'n With Gas - they also have a great range of beers.
Looking for ethnic cuisine? Indochine in Cambridge Tce is a bustling place with tasty Asian dishes and a great cocktail list. Ironside House Houghton's Cafe, on Salisbury St, is a top place for Thai food. For something different, try The Bodhi Tree in Colombo St for Burmese cuisine - you need to book early. There are plenty of inexpensive Thai restaurants around the city centre. Some of NZ's best Moroccan food is served at Simo's in the City Mall, Cashel St.
For top-drawer stuff, try Canterbury Tales for innovative NZ cuisine, in the Crowne Plaza hotel. Another top hotel restaurant is Pescatore (yes, they specialise in fish dishes) in the George Hotel - dine while looking out over Hagley Park. Tiffanys is a long-standing Christchurch fine-dining establishment in an attractive old mansion by the Avon River.
Recommended lunch cafes in the city centre include Caffe Roma in Oxford Tce; The Lotus Heart (vegetarian) in Cathedral Square, above Starbucks; Alchemy Cafe and Wine Bar in the city's Art Gallery; Annie's Wine Bar in the Arts Centre; and The Coffee House in Montreal St. If you want something a little more funky, try C1 Espresso in High St.
Wine in Canterbury
Canterbury is not one of New Zealand’s major wine-growing areas; yet vineyards and wineries are dotted around Christchurch, and some are rather good. The region’s most successful varietals are riesling, pinot noir and chardonnay. The best area to visit, in terms of number and quality of wineries, is around Waipara, a 45 minute drive north of central Christchurch. A number of wineries provide tastings, and several are lovely places for lunch.
Several tour companies run scheduled wine tours of Canterbury's wineries. Alternatively, you can arrange a private custom wine tour to Canterbury's wineries and other attractions with The Inside Story.
In central Christchurch, the Vino Fino wine shop in Durham St usually has wine tastings on Tuesday evenings at 6.00pm, for $15. You’ll have the opportunity to taste some Canterbury wines among the range of new releases of New Zealand and international wines. Click here for their website.
