New Zealand’s third-largest city, Christchurch, is arguably its most vibrant despite its reputation for staid colonial-era English architecture. That’s because much of it was rebuilt after devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and the city center has undergone an astonishing transformation. Christchurch is still a work in progress, but new visitors (and those who haven’t visited in a while) will be pleasantly surprised. From strolling through Hagley Park and along the River Avon to day trips to the Banks Peninsula or Mount Cook, there are many things to do in Christchurch.
Located roughly halfway down the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch experiences warm summers and cold winters. In the summer (December to February), see why Christchurch was nicknamed “the Garden City” by wandering around the Central City’s parks and gardens, and enjoy the beaches and coastline around Lyttelton and the Banks Peninsula. In winter (June to August), Christchurch’s proximity to Canterbury’s ski fields make it a handy jumping-off point for trips into the Southern Alps.
Christchurch is quite large (it’s the second-biggest city in New Zealand), but the Central City area is compact and easy to navigate on foot or by bike. Old-fashioned, hop-on hop-off sightseeing trams are a convenient and informative way of visiting the main attractions in the center, while public buses can be used to get around the city and out to Lyttelton. There are no passenger trains in Christchurch, except for the long-distance TranzAlpine that crosses the Southern Alps to Greymouth.
Although Christchurch’s modern history begins in 1856, the city is still a work in progress in many ways, and visitors should approach its Central City area as a new, evolving place. In 2010 and 2011, earthquakes destroyed large parts of Christchurch, including the popular Cathedral Square and ChristChurch Cathedral. The city has undergone extensive reconstruction and rejuvenation since then; instead of coming to Christchurch in search of the “old” tourist attractions, seek out its vibrant and evolving contemporary culture.
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Christchurch is famous for its English-inspired architecture and gardens, as well as for the Christ Church Cathedral in the center of town and its heritage tramway. It’s also famous as a gateway to the Southern Alps mountains inland, and to the Banks Peninsula east of the city.
...MoreIn Christchurch city, ride the heritage tram around the central areas and spend time in Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Punt on the Avon River if the weather’s fine, and shop and dine at colorful New Regent Street. Day trip to the Banks Peninsula for wildlife spotting.
...MoreChristchurch was founded as a European settlement in 1848. Maori settled in what is now Christchurch between 1500–1700 AD.
...MoreChristchurch is located on the South Island of New Zealand, in the Canterbury region. It’s roughly halfway down the east coast of the island and northwest of the Banks Peninsula. Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island.
...MoreThere's plenty for families to do in Christchurch. Ride the restored vintage tram through the central city, punt on the Avon River, and visit the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Learn more about New Zealand’s southern neighbor at the International Antarctic Centre and enjoy views from the gondola.
...MoreMany travelers find that two to three days in Christchurch is ideal and enough time to experience the central city areas as well as some nearby attractions. Up to five days allows time for half-day or full-day trips to Lyttelton, Sumner, the Banks Peninsula, and Akaroa.
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