Christchurch, New Zealand Hotels and City Guide

Christchurch - Attractions

Christchurch Attractions

Christchurch, with its natural beauty and wonderful attractions, is the world’s original ‘Garden City’. With a strong cultural heritage, numerous sports facilities, great shopping, tranquil parks and gardens and lively entertainment, Christchurch is a visitor’s paradise. Emphasising on its wealth of natural scenery and reserves, Christchurch is just where you should go, when you are in need of peaceful surroundings.

Cathedral Square

Considered the best place to start touring Christchurch, Cathedral Square is in the heart of Christchurch’s city centre and a major Christchurch landmark. Dominated by the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, the square has many attractions including speciality shops, markets, vibrant street entertainment and many elegant 19th century Gothic-style buildings.

Christchurch Tramway

The world’s oldest working tramway, the historic Christchurch Tramway is a major Christchurch attraction. The 19th century tramway travels two and a half kilometres (one and a half miles) around central Christchurch, the Arts Centre, Cathedral Square and the Botanic Gardens.

Avon River

Renowned for boat trips and punting in central Christchurch, the Avon River is a key natural landmark in Christchurch. Flowing adjacent to several gardens, parklands, scenic picnic spots and historic landmarks, the Avon River directly influenced much of the city’s wealth and design.

Bridge of Remembrance

Spanning the Avon River in Christchurch city centre, the Bridge of Remembrance is a charming stone structure built in the 1920s, as a memorial to soldiers from Canterbury who lost their lives during World War I.

Mona Vale Gardens

A short drive from the central city, Mona Vale is a charming and historic Victorian home surrounded by landscaped English-style gardens. Dating from 1899, the house and garden belonged to the Deans, one of the first settler families in Christchurch.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Containing one of the largest collections of indigenous and exotic plants in New Zealand, the Botanic Gardens are sure to delight any visitor. Covering an area of around 74 acres (30 hectares), the Gardens were sand dunes and natural wetlands until 1863.

Hagley Park

Located in central Christchurch since the 1850s and covering around 161 hectares, Hagley Park is well-known for its mature woodlands and open spaces. It’s also renowned for its cultural and sporting events, and diverse leisure activities.

Esplanade

A renowned walkway in the area, the Esplanade is located along the coastline in the Sumner district of Christchurch. Its length is over one kilometre and offers spectacular views of Pegasus Bay and the surrounding areas.

Christchurch Gondola

A major Christchurch attraction, Christchurch Gondola offers scenic views of the Southern Alps, Christchurch City and the Canterbury Plains. It’s a small cable car travelling along almost a kilometre (3280 feet) up the Port Hills where an observation deck, café and gift shop can be found.

Champagne Balloon Flights

Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Christchurch and the surrounding areas with a memorable balloon flight. With an abundance of sunny days and favourable weather in Christchurch, balloon flights depart early morning from city centre parks.

The International Antarctic Centre
Home to the New Zealand, United States and Italian Antarctic programmes, the International Antarctic Centre is a working campus established to support Antarctic scientific programmes and research. It comprises of the Antarctic Passenger Terminal, a New Zealand and Unites States clothing store, post office and travel agency, warehousing, administration offices and the Visitor Centre, renowned as ‘The Antarctic Attraction’.

Discovery Centre

A popular Christchurch attraction for children and families, the Discovery Centre is located in the Canterbury museum complex and offers exciting, interactive and hands-on activities for kids. It also includes play and reading areas, natural history exhibits and exploration activities such as digging for fossils and handling tarantula spiders.

Hotels in Christchurch, New Zealand