New Zealand > Christchurch

Travel Team Home > Destination Information > Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand with a 2006 population of over 350,000. It is located on the edge of the Canterbury Plains and is a major stepping off point for touring the South Island.

Understand

Christchurch was established in 1850 by English settlers. Its English heritage shows in the older buildings, especially the Anglican Cathedral in the Square in the very center of the city. The River Avon flows through the central city and disrupts the regular rectangular layout of the city streets. Christchurch is known as the Garden City, a well-deserved name. Looking from a few floors up, one is struck by the number of trees that grow like a forest throughout the suburbs.  International tourism, especially foreign-student education for the Asian market, is a growing sector of the Christchurch economy, as is electronics and software development. Because of this, there is a high concentration of cyber-cafes here, particularly in the Asian tourist-friendly areas around the Square.  English-as-a-second-language schools are also in abundance.

Get in

By plane

Christchurch International Airport is a major transit airport for international and domestic travelers. There are international services to and from Australia, Japan and Singapore and frequent daily flights to and from most New Zealand airports, with direct flights to and from Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, Nelson and Mount Cook.

Flights to and from McMurdo Station in Antarctica also use the airport. This is one of the few international airports in the world where military and civilian aircraft regularly share the same runways.

There is a regular public bus service to the city center. The 30-40 minute trip costs NZ$7 pp and the buses operate half-hourly during the week and at least hourly on weekends. There is also a privately-run 8-passenger "5 dollar bus" which runs between the Square and airport about every 15-20 minutes during the day. A door to door shuttle bus service to all parts of Christchurch is available for NZ$12-18 pp depending on the number of persons traveling. Taxi stands (about NZ$45 to the city center) and rental car parks are also close to the terminal building.

By car

State Highway One passes around the western edge of the city, past the airport. This is the main north/south arterial road in New Zealand. State Highway 73 goes to the west, over Arthur's Pass and on to the west coast. From SH73 you can also access Mount Hutt and other regional skifields.

By bus

There are daily bus services north to and from Picton and south to and from Dunedin. Newmans Coach Lines operates a premium sightseeing tours to and from Christchurch. InterCity Coachlines is New Zealand's national coach company and operates over 150 services to more than 600 destinations nationwide. There are regular departures in and out of Christchurch to all parts of the South Island.

By train

There is a daily train service to and from Picton, timed to meet ferry sailings to and from Wellington. Southbound passengers can spend the morning sailing on the Picton ferry and the afternoon on the train, while northbound passengers can do the opposite.

This is also the terminus of the scenic TranzAlpine train service to Greymouth. This can be done as a day trip. The train departs from Christchurch daily at 8:15am, returning at 6:05PM. The railway station is located in Addington, adjacent to the large Tower Junction shopping centre and has limited facilities.

By boat

The port town of Lyttelton is separated from Christchurch by the Port Hills.  The early settlers had to walk over the Bridle Path - so named because the path was so steep that horses had to be lead by the bridle as they could not be ridden. Today there is a road tunnel that links the port to the city.

Get around

Christchurch is mostly flat so many people get around on bicycles. Special-purpose bicycle lanes have been recently added to many streets to help promote cycling. Navigation by car or bicycle is generally simple due to the grid layout, but watch out for one-way streets and bus-and-taxi-only intersections in the central city.

Renting a car, like in any New Zealand city, is a must and is very much recommended for those who don't want to be confined to the very centre of the city where a viable public transport network exists.

The bus service has been greatly improved in recent years. Buses interconnect through the enclosed airport-style Bus Exchange on the corner of Colombo and Lichfield Streets. A standard bus fare is $2.50 cash or $1.90 ($3.80 maximum charge per day, $10 minimum initial purchase) with a MetroCard smart card. There is also a free diesel-electric yellow Shuttle that orbits the inner-city area every ten minutes, but often it can be quicker to walk such short distances. It passes two malls and three supermarkets.

The restored Christchurch Tramway (ticket $12.50, valid for two days) also runs in a smaller loop around the inner city, 9AM-9PM summer, 9AM-6PM winter.

See

• Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square. Open daily for viewing with regular services during the week. Completed in 1904, the Cathedral is Christchurch's most prominent landmark and the Square, to which it gives its name, brings color and life to the heart of downtown. Check out the excellent i-Site visitors' center in the old Post Office building, and keep an eye out for concerts, protesters, eccentric street preachers or even the world-famous Wizard of New Zealand haranguing the lunchtime crowds. During the day, food and craft stalls are available.
• Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard. Information center open daily 9:30AM-5PM. Gothic stonework of former University campus converted into complex of over 40 specialty art and craft businesses and performance venues. Do not miss the weekend craft and produce market 10AM-4PM with live bands noon-2PM. Watch the improv show Scared Scriptless on Friday nights at 10PM. A trip to Ernest Ruherford's den is also well worth a visit (gold coin donation).
• Art Gallery, Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street (one block east of Botanic Gardens). Daily 10AM-5PM, W 10AM-9PM. Spectacular new $47 million facility opened in 2003, the largest in the South Island, with over 5000 items and visiting exhibitions.
• Air Force Museum, former Wigram Airfield, Main South Road. Daily 10AM-5PM. Opened in 1987 before the closure of the Christchurch RNZAF base, this museum has full-size replicas of fighting planes and dramatizes the history of New Zealand's Air Force from World War I to Vietnam and beyond. $15 adult, $5 child.
• Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Avenue, car park entrance Armagh Street. Gates open daily 7AM-5:30PM winter, 7AM-9PM summer, check exact posted times on gates or website. Information center open daily 10:15AM-4PM summer, 11AM-3PM winter. 30 hectares of exotic and indigenous plants and trees wrapped in a loop of the picturesque Avon River and linking to the 160-hectare Hagley Park, these put the Garden in the Garden City.
• Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue at end of Worcester Boulevard (adjoining Botanic Gardens). Daily 9AM-5:30PM summer, 9AM-5PM winter. Includes colonial, Maori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. Admission free to main exhibits (but donation appreciated), $2 for Discovery children's section.
• Ferrymead Heritage Park, Ferrymead Park Drive (Ferry Road east from city, or take the 30 Sumner bus from the Bus Exchange and to the Heathcote River Bridge, then first right down Bridle Path Road). Daily 10AM-4:30PM. A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage (daily), tram (weekends and school/public holidays) and train (first and third Sunday) rides. Due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing Ferrymead, not all attractions may be running at all times. Special events are often held and the park has been used to film the TV One reality show 'Colonial House'. Admission price is based on whether trams/trains are operating or not, and include unlimited rides if available. $10 adult, $5 child with trams/trains, $6 adult, $3 child without.
• International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch Airport. Daily 9AM-8PM summer, 9AM-5:30PM winter. A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, cafe and gift shop. $20 adult, $10 child.
• Orana Wildlife Park, McLeans Island Road (10 minutes' drive west of airport). Daily 10AM-5PM, last entrance 4:30PM. New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary and conservation project featuring endangered animals from around the world. The park's design minimizes fences and cages in favor of natural boundaries and habitats. $14 adult ($12 for 2:30PM), $6 child.  Lion Encounter (limited 20 tickets per day, participants must be above 1.4 metres in height).
• Science Alive, 394 Moorhouse Road (former Railway Station building, shares lobby with Hoyts 8 cinema). Daily 10AM-5PM. An interactive science education center with gift shop. Themed exhibitions are on display and change three times a year.  $10 adult, $7 child 5-16yrs, $4 child 2-4yrs.
• Southern Encounter Aquarium & Kiwi House (formerly Aquarium of Discovery), Cathedral Square (adjoins the i-Site visitors' center). Daily 9AM-4:30PM. Walk-through aquarium showcasing native fish and sea creatures. There is an interactive rock-pool for kids and viewing of nocturnal brown kiwis. $11 adult, $5 child.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, 60 Hussey Road (off Gardiners Road). A smaller park than Orana, with a focus on New Zealand species including kiwi in a natural environment. Daily 10AM-10PM, kiwi viewing from 11AM.  $16 adult, $8 child.
• Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science, Main West Road (near the airport, first right past Yaldhurst Hotel). Daily 10AM-5PM (5PM-9PM by arrangement for groups of 10 or more). Mostly interesting for its collection of over 100 classic and vintage vehicles. $7.50 adult, $3 child.
• Riccarton Bush. The last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. The circular track passes under tall kahikatea trees, and there is a diversity of small trees, shrubs, climbers and ferns. Christchurch's oldest house, Dean's Cottage (built 1843) is adjacent. Five minutes drive from central city and easily accessible by bus.

Do

• The Summit Road, drive it or bike it or take a bus then walk it. The road (and the Crater Rim Walkway) traverses the crest of the Port Hills, which separate Christchurch from Lyttelton Harbour. Breathtaking views over Christchurch, the Southern Alps, Pegasus Bay, Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula - often all from the same vantage point. Don't miss it.
• Christchurch City Bike Tour, make bookings at the i-Site visitors' center in Cathedral Square. Stretch your legs on New Zealand's ONLY guided City bike tour. Visit Mona Vale, Hagley Park, Riccarton Bush, Antigua Boat Sheds, Deans Cottage, The Arts Centre and Cathedral Square.
• Punting on the Avon, punts depart from Worcester Street and Oxford Tce, make bookings at the i-Site visitors' center in Cathedral Square. Glide down the river in British style with a uniformed boatsman.
• Antigua Boatsheds, 2 Cambridge Terrace.Boat hire from historic British boatsheds for a hands-on water experience. Daily 9:30AM-5:30PM summer, 9:30AM-4PM winter. $7/hr canoe, $12/half-hr rowboat, $14/half-hr paddle boat.
• Christchurch Casino, 30 Victoria Street. Open 24 hours except Christmas, Good Friday, ANZAC Day. Dress code (jeans now allowed). You get a free meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) if it is your birthday (booking essential, e.g. by phone).
• Christchurch Gondola, base station 10 Bridle Path Road (take Best Attractions Express Shuttle from Cathedral Square, $5 adult, $3 child, or 28 Lyttelton Bus from the Bus Exchange). Daily 10AM-late. $18 adult, $8 child (summer), $17 adult, $8 child (winter). Ride in the enclosed gondola car up to the summit of the Port Hills then view the Heritage Time Tunnel, take an outdoor nature walk, or dine at the restaurant. Three-course meal $60, including ride.

Festivals

Christchurch has the busiest program of annual festivals of any New Zealand city.

• Summertimes runs from December through to late February and includes a number of major free events in Hagley Park, which attract audiences of up to 100,000.
• The World Buskers Festival runs for two weeks in January and usually features about 30 acts from around the globe.
• The Festival of Romance lasts for 10 days leading up to Valentines Day and includes a range of romantic activities.
• The Christchurch Garden Festival takes place in March
• Kidsfest is on during the midwinter school holiday.
• The Christchurch Arts Festival is the largest arts festival on South Island and takes place every second year in mid winter
• Carnival Week is centered around a number of events taking place in November - Guy Fawkes' night (a major public firework display at New Brighton Pier), the two New Zealand Cup (trotting and galloping) horse racing meetings, and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral show, which is the largest in the country.
• Carols by Candlelight is a longstanding tradition on Christmas Eve, now held in Victoria Square.

Buy

• Ballantynes, corner of Colombo and Cashel. The major upmarket department store. Adjacent to it is Cashel Mall with a mixture of boutiques cafes and bars. Closer to Cathedral Square you will mostly find duty-free and tourist shopping.
• High Street is probably the most interesting in the central city, with an intoxicating mixture of historical buildings and spaces inhabited by young cutting edge local designers - clothes, art galleries, cafes & cake shops, furniture and architects.
• Manchester Street (which is the nearest Christchurch gets to a red-light district) has an interesting collection of antique shops including the three floors of Smith's Bookshop.
• Locals tend to shop at the many suburban malls, the largest of which are Westfield Riccarton, Northlands and The Palms in Shirley (continual expansions see them leapfrogging in the rankings of the country's largest malls).

Get out

Christchurch is often the starting or finishing point for touring the whole South Island. You might want to visit:

• Akaroa is beautiful, quaint and packed with good eateries. Try out the "Swim with the Dolphins in the sea" trip.
• Arthurs Pass for a bush getaway
• Banks Peninsula is literally on the edge of the city, and offers a quieter a beauty than the Alps, but quite lovely.
• Dunedin to cheer the Otago rugby team at Carisbrook, the House of Pain
• Hanmer Springs to soak in the hot pools
• Hokitika to catch the Wild Foods Festival
• Invercargill for Bluff oysters
• Kaikoura for crayfish and whale watching
• Blenheim for wine and sun
• Nelson for sun, wine and art
• Picton to take the ferry to Wellington
• Queenstown for high-octane prepackaged adventure tourism
• Waipara - The newest wine region, specializing in some of New Zealand's finest wines

 Email this Page to a Friend!

 Check out our New Zealand airfares or visit our New Zealand Independent Tours and Escorted Tours to start planning your next New Zealand vacation.

Call an experienced agent for travel advice: 1.800.788.0829