A few years back, one of our friends moved to Christchurch for a job opportunity on a temporary contract. Well, his contract ended a year ago, but he didn’t return to his hometown because Christchurch is full of love and positivity. There are so many things to do in Christchurch that if you once start living there or go there for a holiday, you’ll try to find excuses to stay there for life.
Instead, you get a slow river cutting through downtown, cafes tucked behind old brick facades still being rebuilt after 2011, and locals who’ll argue for 20 minutes about which bakery does the better sausage roll. So if you’re visiting there or planning to visit the city soon, here is the list of top attractions in Christchurch which you can explore.
5 Things to do in Christchurch You Shouldn’t Skip
Explore the City’s Green Heart” with genuinely different content (e.g., a lesser-known park or garden) so it doesn’t overlap with what was just dismissed as “obvious.
1 .Explore the City’s Green Heart
Hagley Park is bigger than most people expect. The Botanic Gardens, established in 1863, are home to trees well over a century old. The Christchurch Art Gallery is free most days and worth ducking into even if you only have just 30 minutes to spare.
2.Hidden Gems Only Locals Talk About
Riccarton Bush confuses tourists every time we mention it: a patch of actual native forest sitting inside suburban Christchurch, gated and quiet. Diamond Harbour is a short ferry ride that most visitors skip entirely, which is exactly why it’s worth the trip. And the back lanes off New Regent Street hide murals nobody photographs for Instagram. Some of the best things to do in Christchurch simply don’t have a sign pointing to them.
3.Best Places to Eat Around the City
Riverside Market gets crowded by noon, so go early if you want a seat. C1 Espresso feels like a gimmick until you actually eat there; food arrives through pneumatic tubes, and somehow the coffee is mouth-watering. Little High Eatery should be your go-to, a warehouse split into a dozen tiny kitchens, easily one of the best attractions. Locals will half-joke that the best things in Christchurch are the ones you eat with a fork.
4.Explore Mountains and Sea in One Afternoon
Take the gondola up Port Hills. It isn’t cheap, but the view earns your every penny. Southern Alps on one side, Pacific on the other. Come back down and hit Sumner Beach or Taylors Mistake before the sun goes down. Not many places let you do Alps and ocean in a single afternoon, and it’s one of the more underrated things you can enjoy here once the weather actually sets.
5.Ride the TranzAlpine
TranzAlpine is a non-negotiable deal, as it is one of the most scenic train rides in The World; you should visit it once if you’re in Christchurch. The TranzAlpine ride is the perfect way to finish any realistic Christchurch itinerary. The train leaves Christchurch, ascends into the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass and arrives at Greymouth after several hours, traversing ravines that many can only dream of seeing in pictures. You must experience the ride and be outside on the train for the full effect of the scenery.
Something Most Visitors Never Expect
Here’s where you’ll get caught out: the Cardboard Cathedral in downtown Christchurch is actually a real, functioning church made primarily of huge cardboard tubes. Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed it after the 2011 earthquake, and yes, it stands up to the elements just fine.
Why Christchurch Stays With You
There’s no shortage of things to do in Christchurch: Gardens, food carts, views of the Alps, a one-day train ride that’s worth every minute of it. The reasons visitors keep coming are harder to list: a place that was destroyed and chose to rise again in its own way, slightly different from how it once was. Allow yourself at least 3 days. You’ll likely be booking your return flight later than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 2 Days Enough in Christchurch?
Yes, 2 days is enough to cover the top sights in central Christchurch and take a brief excursion into the nearby hills or coastline.
Which is Better to Visit, Auckland or Christchurch?
It depends on what you’re after. Auckland offers a bigger, more cosmopolitan city experience, while Christchurch is more affordable, relaxed, and closer to nature and the Southern Alps
What are Some Places to Avoid in Christchurch?
Some eastern and inner-city suburbs of Christchurch, like Aranui, Linwood, and part of Phillipstown, have been identified as areas with relatively high levels of social problems and burglary.
