Itineraries for Your Trip to Christchurch
3 Days in Christchurch for Families
As any traveling parent knows, navigating big cities with kids can be challenging and tiring. But despite being the largest city on the South Island and New Zealand’s second-largest city overall, Christchurch is a pleasant place to travel with kids. Although the suburbs are sprawling, the central city area is very compact, so it’s easy to get around with little ones in tow. Plus, there are nature-based activities right on the city’s doorstep that kids will love.
I recently traveled to Christchurch with my five-year-old daughter, and when asked what her favorite thing about the city was, she said the playground (of course!). The Margaret Mahy Playground is pretty special, and there are plenty of other exciting family-friendly spots, too. Here are my tips for covering them in three days.
Christchurch has a pleasant climate, with warm-to-hot summers and cool but not-too-cold winters.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the heritage sightseeing tram.
Get your bearings on the first morning with a ticket to the hop-on hop-off heritage tram through the city. Kids will enjoy the old-world charm of the tram, and you can get on and off wherever appeals to you and your family. The Canterbury Museum is fun for kids, and New Regent Street is a good spot for lunch or an ice cream.
In the afternoon, take a relaxing punt boat ride down the Avon River. This is a relaxing way to see central Christchurch’s greenery without tiring anyone out.
Head out of the central city area this morning to the Port Hills for a ride in the gondola to the summit of Mt. Cavendish. Parents and kids alike will enjoy the ride and the views. Before heading back into the city, stop at Sumner Beach for a swim if the weather’s good or a walk if it’s a cooler day.
Among structured travel activities, kids usually enjoy some free time to play and burn off their energy. Younger kids will love the fantastic Margaret Mahy Playground, named after a famous New Zealand children’s book author. Give them time to play on the trampolines, slides, zipline, and water games. If your kids are older, try a fun scavenger hunt activity instead.
Spend your last day exploring some of the beautiful natural attractions on the Banks Peninsula. If your kids are older and more physically active, take a hike on the volcanic hills or kayak in Akaroa Harbour to get a close-up view of rare wildlife, such as little Hector’s dolphins. If your kids are smaller, join a sightseeing cruise to see dolphins, penguins, and other birds.
After your active pursuits, head to Akaroa, a small town with French colonial culture, where you can grab some tasty French-inspired food.
