Christchurch Holidays

Punt along the Avon River

Slow the sightseeing down a little with a spot of punting on the Avon. This most Oxbridge of leisure activities is a great way to traverse central Christchurch while getting a riverside view of some of the city’s main attractions in the process. Don’t worry if you can’t get the hang of the steering, because experts in Edwardian-era outfits will take you on a gentle 30-minute cruise for NZD25 (£12).

Take the Waipara Valley Wine Trail

New Zealand is one of the world’s principal wine centres, and just a brief drive from Christchurch is one of the island’s fastest-expanding viticulture regions, Waipara Valley. Here you can sample a crisp Pinto Gris or a fruity Sauvignon Blanc, varietals for which the country is renowned. Choose between the half-day and full-day tours—but be warned: the latter involves sampling up to 25 different wines, so you might want to clear your evening schedule.

Swim with dolphins

Marine wildlife excursions depart regularly from Akaroa Harbour—an hour outside of Christchurch—offering the chance to spot penguins, shags, and even orcas if you are lucky. The main attraction is the chance to swim with Hector dolphins, one of the smallest and rarest dolphin species in the world. When you are not looking out for sea animals, glance up at the cliffs that circle the bay; they used to be the perimeter of the volcano crater that you are boating around today.

Spot kiwi birds at Willowbank

On the outskirts of the city, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve contains all of New Zealand’s favourite animals, including the emblematic kiwi bird. After-dark tours give you an opportunity to see this endangered bird when it is most active, while special tours provide an insight into the park’s breeding program. Combine wildlife watching with a Maori cultural demonstration—complete with traditional Haka dancing— to cap off a truly New Zealand evening.

ChristChurch Cathedral

At the heart of this city—physically, historically, and culturally—is the ChristChurch Anglican Cathedral. The building was the focal point of a new town envisioned by the first British settlers, though financial restrictions delayed its completion until the early 20th century. You can climb over 60 metres to the top of the church tower for an elevated view of the city from its central point.

Hagley Park

Any place known as the Garden City must be able to offer some good greenery, and Hagley Park doesn’t disappoint. The best of the city’s parks covers 400+ acres of central Christchurch and includes various sports grounds. Adjacent to the park you’ll find the impressive botanic gardens, which began with an English oak and now contain thousands of unusual plant species.

Christchurch Art Gallery

This modern gallery showcases a diverse collection of paintings, ranging from European classics to contemporary creations by local artists. Equally impressive is the building’s curved metal and glass exterior, which is especially conspicuous in the city’s Victorian-era cultural precinct.

International Antarctic Centre

Christchurch has been a launch pad for expeditions to the Antarctic since the days of Scott and Shackleton, so it’s a suitable spot for this giant visitor centre dedicated to the Icy Continent. Along with fascinating exhibits about the world’s most inhospitable land, you can experience the bitter winds of an Antarctic storm in the Snow and Ice Experience. Another highlight is the Penguin Encounter, offering a rare chance to view these cute animals up close.

Canterbury Museum

There are more Antarctica-related artefacts at the Canterbury Museum, which also houses an excellent collection of gemstones. The Discovery section is oriented towards children and is full of interactive exhibits and live animals, including (harmless) tarantulas. Entry is free, and there are also guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tip * Booking your Tours, Transfers & Airport Parking before you go will save your money & time and ensure a stress free start to your holiday

When to visit

New Zealand is one of the most southerly countries in the world, meaning the coldest months are during the Northern Hemisphere summer (June–August). From October to March, temperatures are usually pleasant and rainfall limited.

Arriving

Christchurch airport, which is the international gateway to New Zealand’s South Island, is barely a dozen kilometres away from the city centre and is easy to reach by public bus (NZD7.50, £3.50).

If you want a door-to-door transfer, there are several private shuttle services, which will set you back around NZD20 (£9.50) per person. A taxi will cost double that.

Getting around the city

Christchurch is a relatively open and flat city, with lots of green spaces that make walking or cycling a pleasant way to move around. In an effort to encourage more people to use bike, the local council offers free comprehensive cycle maps for the inner city and surrounding suburbs.

For quick travel around the city centre, you can use the Shuttle, a free circular bus service that hits most of the main attractions and runs frequently throughout the day. Otherwise, normal bus routes cover the entire urban area and cost NZD3.20 (£1.50) per ride.

If you want to really have the freedom to explore New Zealand’s beautiful countryside, the best way is via a Christchurch car hire. Roads are in good-to-excellent condition and drivers are respectful of the rules. Don’t forget that New Zealand is among the few nations outside of the United Kingdom where people drive on the left.

The Marque Hotel is one of the newest in the city, and is ideally situated around the corner from Cathedral Square. Rooms are clean and comfortable without being flashy, and the in-house restaurant, Fresh is a credible alternative to the city centre eateries. Those with a green conscience will be happy to know the innovative building has a neutral carbon footprint.

The multi-coloured exterior of the Hotel SO is the first indication that this is a trendy place to stay in the heart of the city. The rooms are compact but packed with the latest technological gadgets that gleam under innovative mood lighting. The hotel also boasts impressive green credentials, using only recycled paper and offering free chargers for electric cars.

With its classical Tudor-esque facade, The Heartland Hotel Cotswold looks as English as it sounds. The spacious rooms do a good job of recreating Old World charm, with plenty of wooden beams and sturdy dressing tables. The outdoor pool is a good spot to relax in the summer, while the open fireplace in the hotel bar is especially inviting in the colder months.

Named after an early ship that brought Europeans to New Zealand, The Charlotte Jane Hotel is a luxury boutique lodging a few kilometres outside of the city centre. Each of the rooms in this converted mansion features a unique style and décor, including an opulent honeymoon suite with a grand four-poster bed.

Ask anyone what to order at Hay’s (63 Victoria Street), and they’ll give you a one-word answer: lamb. Canterbury lamb is considered among the best in the world, and all the cuts served at this central restaurant were raised organically at the owner’s private ranch. The menu also helps you to choose from the extensive wine line by recommend the matching bouquet for each dish.

The intimate band rotunda on the bank of the Avon River provides the perfect setting for a romantic dinner at Retour (230 Cambridge Terrace). The sophisticated menu includes local specialities such as beef steak and rack of lamb, while vegetables change according to the season.

If you fancy something sweet, head to Strawberry Fare (114 Peterborough Street). Locals rave about the desserts served here, especially the cheesecakes and multiple chocolate-themed options. Though you could be tempted to skip past them on the menu, there are plenty of quality savoury options here too.

After opening in 2007 as the first Bangladeshi restaurant in New Zealand, Nobanno (764 Colombo Street), has quickly gained a reputation for fresh, flavourful food. Traditional Bengali dishes are given a makeover to accommodate local ingredients and tastes, with curries laced more with aromatic herbs than fiery chillies. The wine menu is satisfactory, but a better option is to try one of the delicious fruit lassis.

Health

New Zealand is largely free of diseases, and there are no compulsory vaccinations for entry into the country. Water is drinkable all over the area.

Hospitals and health facilities are generally well maintained and treatment is of the highest standard. As in the UK, a GP must be seen before a patient can be referred to a specialist (except in emergencies). For ambulances call 111.

Safety

Crime rates are low throughout New Zealand, and Christchurch is a safe place for visitors. Nevertheless, you must still always remain cautious about showing off valuables or wandering into an unknown area after dark. Women should avoid walking unaccompanied after dark in any part of Christchurch.

Theft from vehicles is on the increase, so be sure not to leave anything unattended if you hire a car, even if you leave the item out of sight. A typical hotel in Christchurch will offer a safety box, which you should use to store to passport, spare cash, and other vital documents.

Natural disasters

New Zealand is located in a zone that is prone to earthquakes. Thousands hit the island each year, but most are barely felt. However, in September 2010 a major quake struck just outside of Christchurch, causing a large amount of damage to infrastructure and buildings. Emergency measures to deal with earthquakes are already in place, so if you feel a tremor while you are there, stay calm and follow the instructions of hotel staff or local authorities.