Christchurch Travel Guide 2026 – Best Things to See & Do

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are undoubtedly the finest public gardens in New Zealand and among the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Established in 1863, the 30-hectare gardens sit within the wider Hagley Park and are threaded through by the Avon River/Ōtākaro, whose banks are lined with willows and punting boats. Entry is free.

The gardens contain over 10,000 plant taxa in themed areas including the New Zealand native plant collection, the Victorian-era glasshouses (the Cuningham House winter garden is spectacular in any season), the sensory garden, the rose garden, and the water garden. In spring, the cherry blossom and tulip displays attract visitors from across the South Island. The gardens are flat and easily navigated by foot or by the hop-on hop-off guided tram. Allow two hours minimum, or simply bring a picnic and spend an entire afternoon — the Botanic Gardens are one of those rare urban spaces that genuinely restore the spirit.

Christchurch has been the gateway to the Antarctic for over a century — the city serves as the staging point for both the US and New Zealand Antarctic programmes — and the International Antarctic Centre brings the frozen continent to life in extraordinary fashion. The centre is located adjacent to the airport and offers a full day's worth of experiences.

The Hagglund ride through an outdoor obstacle course in an amphibious Antarctic vehicle is a family favourite. The Antarctic Storm Experience plunges visitors into a simulated Antarctic blizzard with howling winds and temperatures below -18°C — simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. The penguin encounter allows close encounters with the centre's resident little blue penguins. Interactive exhibits cover the science, exploration history, and environmental significance of Antarctica with genuine depth. The centre's café and shop are good quality. Allow three to four hours; this is one of the most genuinely impressive visitor experiences in New Zealand.

The Transitional Cathedral — universally known as the Cardboard Cathedral — was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and opened in 2013 as a temporary replacement for the earthquake-damaged Christchurch Cathedral. Built largely from cardboard tubes, structural shipping containers, and polycarbonate panels, it has become one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand and a symbol of Christchurch's creative response to catastrophe.

The interior is remarkably beautiful, particularly when afternoon sunlight streams through the stained-glass east wall — a contemporary abstract work using glass from the original cathedral. The building seats 700 people and functions as a working Anglican cathedral with regular services. The engineering is genuinely innovative: Shigeru Ban won the Pritzker Prize (architecture's Nobel equivalent) partly on the strength of his disaster-relief work, and the Cardboard Cathedral exemplifies his approach of combining environmental sustainability with aesthetic ambition. Entry is free; a small donation is appreciated.

The Christchurch Gondola ascends from the Heathcote Valley to the rim of the extinct volcanic crater that forms the Port Hills, providing the most complete panoramic view of the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, the city, and Lyttelton Harbour below. The gondola cabin rises 300 metres to the Summit Station, and on a clear day the views extend from Aoraki/Mount Cook in the west to Banks Peninsula in the east.

At the summit, the Time Tunnel interactive experience provides context for the region's geological and human history. The café and restaurant offer views that justify the trip on their own. For those who prefer to earn the view, numerous walking and mountain biking tracks on the Port Hills provide access to the gondola summit and to Lyttelton Harbour. The gondola operates daily, with the last cabin departing mid-afternoon — check the website for current hours. A return ticket costs approximately NZD $35 per adult. The trip from the city centre takes about 15 minutes.

Punting on the Avon River is one of Christchurch's most enduring and leisurely pleasures, and it has continued throughout the post-earthquake rebuild era. Skilled punters pole flat-bottomed boats along the Ōtākaro/Avon River through the heart of the city and the Botanic Gardens, offering a gentle, unhurried way to see the city from the water.

Boats depart from the Antigua Boat Sheds — a beautifully preserved heritage structure on Cambridge Terrace — and follow routes of varying length through the gardens and the rebuilt city precincts. You can also hire kayaks and canoes from the same location for a self-guided paddle. The boat sheds themselves date from 1882 and serve as a café. Punting operates year-round, weather permitting, with tours taking approximately 30 minutes. Evening rose and garden tours run in summer and are particularly atmospheric. Book ahead for weekend and public holiday sessions as this remains one of Christchurch's most popular experiences.