Christchurch Travel Guide

We told you this place had an English feel to it and is there anything quite more English than punting on the river? This Edwardian past time is a big hit in Christchurch and our GO Explorers seem to love it! Meander along the river Avon as your skilled punter guides you up and down stream. This is a peaceful way to enjoy the city and part of the fun is heading to the Antigua Boatsheds to pick out your punt. It seems like a few of our Explorers have got a little wet on their adventures but this should be a dry activity!

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The Christchurch Gondola is one of Christchurch’s most popular attractions. Soar up over 1km to the top of the Port Hills and 500 metres above sea level for amazing 360 views over the city, Canterbury Plains and out towards the Southern Alps. You can also get great views of the Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton making this the best place to check out the views in Christchurch. The gondola is just a short 15 minute drive from the city and there is a shuttle service that operates from outside the i-Site. Us you GO Play card to score yourself a 14% discount on both the Gondola and punting!

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Whilst Christchurch may be a great place to kick back and relax, there are a few activities to get the pulse racing. Adrenalin Forest is one of them. Set in the peaceful surrounds of Spencer Park, there are seven different courses to try out which will take you high above the canopy floor. Things start off pretty easy as you take on the training course at 1m above the ground but the highest course will take you up to 20m into the tops of the trees. There are all sorts of activities once you get up there from bridges to nets, barrels and swings. The highlight is always the final obstacle – the flying fox which will get you from the top to the bottom in no time at all! Another GO Play partner, use your exclusive card to get a 10% discount when you hire with GO.

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This place is pretty amazing and quite possibly the coolest fun in Christchurch (get it?!) Located out near the airport, the International Antarctic Centre is the closest experience you will get to Antarctica without visiting for yourself. Survive an Antarctic storm, take a ride on a Hagglund and get up close and personal with some cute little blue penguins all under one roof! There’s also a rather cool 4D theatre that takes you to the next level in terms of an interactive experience – watch out for the falling snow and the water splash! You can find out more about this cool place in our blog.

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We do love some good botanic gardens and as you would imagine, the Garden City has some of the best in New Zealand. Located right in the heart of the city, the gardens were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the marriage of Price Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Since then, the gardens have flourished and now spread out over an area of 21 hectares, dominating the city. The gardens contain a variety of exotic and local plants and the Rose Garden has more than 250 varieties! If you’re heading to Christchurch, you can’t really miss them but they are definitely worth spending a couple of hours.

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Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo and is a huge attraction for the city. In 2017, they celebrated their 40^th year in operation and in that time, they have not only welcomed thousands of people through the doors but they have also nurtured and raised hundreds of animals. The park contains a whole host of cool animals including New Zealand’s only gorillas. The Lion encounter is an awesome experience where you can get up close with the lions and it’s also possible to hand feed the giraffes. This place is an absolute winner with kids and adults alike and Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered and exotic species.

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Re:Start container mall is Christchurch’s iconic and much-loved shopping destination in the heart of the city. Born out of the 2011 earthquake that struck the city, Re:Start has become a focal point for the regeneration work in the city as people get to watch the city being rebuilt all around. After the earthquake struck, the city’s Property and Building Owners knew it would take too long for the rebuilding work to finish and they needed to get people back into the CBD as soon as possible. Re;Start has grown steadily – from 27 businesses when it opened in October 2011 to over 50 today. This place has really helped to kick start Christchurch’s regeneration and is now a focal point for locals and tourists – a must visit!

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It may not be a specific activity but a trip out to Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula is a must on a visit to Christchurch. Akaroa has a fascinating history. A French whaler landed here in 1838 and after deciding it was a great place to settle, headed back off to France to collect French and German families in order to start a French colony. Sadly, by the time he returned, the Treaty of Waitangi had been signed and Governor Hobson had declared sovereignty over the whole of New Zealand. This didn’t stop the French from settling in Akaroa and the town still has a very French feel to it from the street names to the annual festival. Read more in our Akaroa Hidden Gem Guide.

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The Christchurch trams are such an integral part of the city and add to its charm and heritage. These trams offer a unique way to explore the city and all of the trams have been beautifully restored. A trip on a tram is not just about getting from A to B. The knowledgeable drivers will act as your tour guide as they guide you through the city streets, pointing out attractions and landmarks. It’s a great way to get your bearings in the city and make a mental note of all the places you want to explore. We love a good trip on a tram and so do our Explore fans!

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