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10 Best Things to Do in Christchurch: A South Island Guide

  • Writer: Barbara
    Barbara
  • Feb 16
  • 5 min read

We travelled to Christchurch from Kaikoura. Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and it is known for its English heritage, in fact, while walking around the city the canals with punting reminded me of the afternoons in Oxford (or Cambridge). We even saw a red London bus going around! But let’s go in order, here are the 10 best things to do in Christchurch.


Big fountain in Christchurch botanic gardens and a banner that says: '10 best things to do in Christchurch a South Island guide"

10 Best things to do in Christchurch

Table of Contents:


  1. Stroll around the Christchurch Botanic Gardens


The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are massive and incredibly diverse. You’ll find everything from a fragrant rose garden and an alpine section to a dedicated New Zealand garden and peaceful ponds. It is truly stunning, especially when the flowers are in full bloom.
Inside, you can relax at two different cafes or visit the Magnetic Observatory.
  • Hours: Daily 10:00 – 16:00
  • Price: Free

Botanic garden in Chrsitchurch with various plants, colourful flowers and a gravel path
Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Pro Tip: If you want to see the gardens without the legwork, check their website for tours, including the "Caterpillar" shuttle tour. There’s also the Peace Train, which runs every Sunday (Sept–April) between 10:00 and 13:00. It follows a loop from the kiosk around the Observatory Lawn and Cuningham House. It’s free, but keep in mind it doesn't run if it’s raining!

  1. Visit the Magnetic Observatory:

The Magnetic Observatory, located inside the botanic gardens, tells fascinating stories of past explorations and scientific breakthroughs; it’s actually the spot where several Nobel Prize winners made their discoveries! It’s the last building remaining from a larger complex, so it is quite small but worth a visit if you are visiting the gardens.


  1. Hidden gem: Curators House Restaurant


Various tapas on a table in a garden on a sunny day with flowers in the background
Tapas at Curators House Restaurant
Just as we were leaving, we stumbled upon a hidden gem: Curators House Restaurant. Once the home of the gardens' curator, it’s now a beautiful Spanish restaurant. It’s the perfect spot for a refreshing Sangria and some tapas in the sun.











  1. Punting on the Avon River


River surronded by vegetation. Tranquil and peaceful scene
The Avon River crosses through the heart of the city and is the best place to lean into those English vibes. You can go punting, where a guide uses a long pole to move the boat forward. Don’t worry about the heavy lifting, though, you’ll have a professional punter dressed in traditional Edwardian attire to do the work!

The tour lasts 30 minutes and includes great commentary from the professional punter.
  • Departure: Antigua Boat Sheds or Worcester Bridge
  • Price: $42 per adult (booking in advance is essential)
  • Website: Christchurch Punting

  1. Hop on the iconic Christchurch Tram


Want to see the sights in style? Hop on the Christchurch Tram. The full circuit takes about 50 minutes, but it’s a "hop-on, hop-off" service, so you can use it to get around to all the main spots while listening to the driver’s live commentary.


Tramway tram restaurant driving around the city. Blue tram in christchurch. Restaurant tram in Christchurch.
Tramway Restaurant goes around the town

Another option is to try the Tramway restaurant, I haven't try this myself as I didn't know of its existence and I found out about it by chance while visiting. But it is a real tram that since 2000 has been operating as a restaurant, taking you around Christchurch while enjoying local cuisine. They can cater for various dietery requirments and it is defenitily a novelty restaurant. They have two sitting one at 17:00 (only in summer) and one at 19:30 with the full experience lasting 1.5h to 2.5h. Reservations are essential and for more information you can visit their website: Tramway Restaurant

  1. Christchurch Gondola

For the best views in the city, head to the Christchurch Gondola. The gondola leaves from Heathcote Valley (about 15 minutes drive from the city center or you can catch a shuttle from Cathedral Square) and it takes you to the summit of Mount Cavendish.
It takes about 10 minutes to reach the top and once there you’re treated to panoramic views of the city, the harbor, and the ocean. You can relax at the café or explore the various hiking tracks.


Money-Saving Tip: If you’re planning to do the Punting, Tram, and Gondola, grab a Christchurch Pass! If you only want to do two, look for combo tickets on their website to save some cash.

  1. Visit the Cardboard Cathedral


Cardboard Cathedral in Chrsitchurch. Colourful cathedral made out of cardboard and big glass windows.
The Cardboard Cathedral
I know that there are more majestic cathedrals around the world, but the Cardboard Cathedral, has a special story and it is quite unique. In fact, after the original Anglican cathedral was tragically destroyed in the 2011 earthquake, people rebuilt the cathedral as a temporary replacement using massing cardboards tubes for its walls and roof. From temporary, it is now permanent and it is certainly a symbol of the city’s resilience. If you visit the inside you will still be able to see the cardboards used. 

  • Hours: If visiting and not going for a prayer, avoid visiting during the mass service. See the website for opening hours.
  • Price: Free
  • Website: Cardboard Cathedral

  1. Visit the International Antarctic Centre


Ever wanted to visit Antarctica without the freezing trek? You can visit Antarctica without leaving Christchurch! At the International Antarctic Centre, you can experience an Antarctic snowstorm simulator, ride the Hägglunds (an all-terrain amphibious vehicle), and watch a 4D movie for a full Antarctic experience.
The highlight? Meeting the Huskies and the rescued Kororās (Little Blue Penguins), the smallest penguins in the world!





  1. Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

This striking building houses an impressive collection of both New Zealand and international art. It’s a great way to spend a quiet afternoon soaking up some culture.

  1. Riverside Market


A green board with written'Riverside Market'. Riverside market in Christchurch entrance busy with people.
Located in the city center near the main shopping district, this bustling indoor market is packed with food and drink stalls. We stopped here for a bite to eat while a live band played just outside, the atmosphere was fantastic!













Christchurch is a city that perfectly blends its English roots with a resilient, modern spirit. It truly earns its "Garden City" nickname, offering a little bit of everything, so slow down, walk around the extensive gardens and enjoy your travels!



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All recommendations in this article are 100% based on my personal experience and are currently unpaid. I aim to keep my content genuine, but please note that I am open to future collaborations, and any paid partnerships will always be clearly disclosed.


I routinely check my articles. If you spot any outdated information, please contact me so I can update it immediately!



 
 
 

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