Known as the Garden City, Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and a place still visibly shaped by the devastating 2010-2011 earthquakes — a history that shows up as often in innovative rebuilt spaces as it does in memorials. Between sprawling botanic gardens, punting on the Avon, and easy access to Banks Peninsula’s coastal scenery, it’s a city that rewards mixing urban exploration with time outdoors.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
At the heart of Christchurch’s reputation as the Garden City, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty, showcasing flora and fauna from New Zealand and around the world. The Avon River flows right through the gardens, and each section is dedicated to a different season — an abundance of roses in the summer section, daffodils blooming in spring — with several conservatories offering a warm escape during winter months. The gardens are free to visit, and the surrounding Hagley Park adds polo grounds, picnic areas, cricket grounds, and a golf course.
Punting on the Avon
For a genuinely unique way to see the river, this is one of the city’s signature experiences. A gentle 30-minute float on a flat-bottom punt takes visitors past willows lining the riverbank and ducks on the water, with a punter dressed in traditional costume using a long pole to propel the boat — an experience that exists nowhere else in New Zealand.
Christchurch Gondola
For sweeping views over the city and beyond, the Gondola is hard to beat. The Gondola’s summit station offers breathtaking panoramic views of Christchurch, Lyttelton, and beyond, along with walking tracks to explore once you’re up top.
Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial and Quake City
Learning about the 2010-2011 earthquakes is one of the most popular things to do in the city, and several sites tell that story. The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial on Montreal Street pays tribute to the victims — even before the official memorial was built, 185 empty white chairs were set up as an unofficial tribute by local artist Peter Majendie in 2012. Nearby, Quake City, a special exhibition from Canterbury Museum, tells stories of heroism and hope from the earthquakes and explains the science behind liquefaction.
International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch’s role as a gateway to the far south makes this attraction genuinely distinctive. The International Antarctic Centre is the world’s premier Antarctic experience, situated in one of only five gateway cities to Antarctica, where visitors can see little penguins and other Antarctic-themed exhibits.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
For an intimate wildlife encounter, this reserve stands out for how close visitors get to the animals. At Willowbank, there’s no glass between visitors and the kiwi — you can observe New Zealand’s iconic bird in a nocturnal environment designed to mimic its natural habitat.
Riverside Market
For food and local shopping, this indoor market is a Christchurch essential. Riverside Market is a permanent indoor market awash in street food and laneway shopping, offering a shopping experience lively enough to keep kids entertained too.
Heritage Trams
Getting around the inner city’s main sights is easy thanks to Christchurch’s heritage tram network. Hopping on one of the trams offers an entertaining and informative tour of the inner city, connecting must-see attractions like Riverside Market and the Botanic Gardens along the way.
Banks Peninsula: Akaroa and Lyttelton
For a coastal day trip just outside the city, Banks Peninsula delivers some of the region’s best scenery. To see Banks Peninsula, head to Akaroa or Lyttelton — two superb coastal towns offering plenty to see and do, including excellent cafés and restaurants.
Beaches Around Christchurch
The city’s coastline offers a few distinct beach experiences depending on what you’re after.
- New Brighton Beach — located 8 km east of the city center, popular for its long pier, surfing, and family-friendly atmosphere.
- Sumner Beach — a 20-minute drive from the city, known for swimming, kayaking, and a lively café scene.
- Taylors Mistake — a more secluded spot near Sumner, favored for hiking, surfing, and its rugged coastline.
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Aviation enthusiasts will find plenty to explore at this free museum. The Air Force Museum showcases New Zealand’s military aviation story through a diverse collection of planes and aviation memorabilia scattered through several exhibition rooms and hangars, all free to visit.
Planning Your Visit
A short stay covers the highlights, but a bit more time opens up further options. Plan on spending one full day to see the highlights, while two days allows for day trips or more museum time in the city.
Join The Discussion
Christchurch has a way of blending its earthquake history, garden-city character, and gateway-to-Antarctica identity into one surprisingly varied city visit. Have you been to Christchurch, and did the earthquake memorials leave as much of an impression as the Botanic Gardens or the Gondola views? For those planning a trip, are you leaning toward the city’s cultural and historical sites, or building your visit around day trips out to Banks Peninsula and the surrounding beaches?
