Top Things to Do In Christchurch

Punting on Avon River

Delight yourself to the sophisticated luxury of the English Oxbridge, where cotton-shirted, straw-hat-wearing punters glide passengers across the majestic gardens of the riverbanks. This is indisputably the best way to experience the green strands and unequalled parkland attractiveness of downtown Christchurch, where a blooming kaleidoscope of colors bursts in the spring, the dropping branches of the regal weeping willows hang into the water, and the attractive stone bridges of the Avon above.

Punting trips in Christchurch leave from both the Antigua Boat Sheds on Cambridge Terrace and Worcester Bridge in the city each day of the year. One itinerary around the Avon takes around half an hour, and boats are suitable for groups of up to 10.

Christchurch Gondola

If you’re fascinated in travelling to the roof of the city, take bus 28 from the central City Exchange. The gondola is accessible 10.00 am - 5.00 pm daily, costs $25 for a return trip, and has split ticket deals for families, bike carriers and children.

Fly high overhead the Christchurch cityscape, beyond the birds and clouds, on this iconic ‘must do’ journey that brings visitors just under a kilometre from the centre, to the panoramic peak of the close to Port Hills.

Here guests appreciate unrivalled 360s of the Southern Alps, central Christchurch, the Pacific Ocean and the quaint harbour town of Lyttleton, cushioned tidily behind the crater rim. No one ever had complaints regarding it beauty. There’s also a possibility to travel around the metamorphic early stages of South Island’s unique volcanic topography, with a journey to the immersive Time Tunnel display that can be noticed on top.

 

Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Park is simply accessible just 15 minutes’ drive out of central Christchurch on the McLeans Island Road. Ticket prices differ between $9 for children and $25 for adults, and the park is open 10.00am - 5.00pm daily. Reviews say money is all worth it!

Educational, immersive and hands-on Orana Wildlife Park has been one of the main ‘must dos’ of Christchurch. It is home to below 400 individual species from right through the globe, from the colossal white rhinoceros of Africa to the indefinable Sumatran tiger of the Indonesian isles, whereas guests can also get up-close-and-personal with some of New Zealand’s own most iconic beasts; the skink; green geckos, and the iconic kiwi bird as examples.

 

Air Force Museum

Take a trip into the honored and admired past of New Zealand’s Air Force at this extensive collection of historical aircrafts and aviation-related artifacts. Warning! Ensure not to skip a ride on the fighter jet simulator, or the Horizon to Horizon gallery, which pays homage to the nation’s wartime courage in the skies. If you’re fortunate enough to stay on a weekend, sign up for the exclusive Air Force Adventure Tour, and feel all the hidden gems of the museum’s exhibitions.

One of the grand bonuses about Christchurch’s Air Force Museum is that overall entry is free, whereas the above stated organized tours price between $8 and $10. To get here, lead on the way to the district of Hornby on the Main South Road, turning off at Harvard Avenue and Symes.

Botanic Gardens

Not only Hawaii or Bali and Jakarta Indonesia can make you feel the tropic vibe. Surrounded by the lovely Avon River, these ever-growing botanical gardens have ornamented the center of Christchurch for over 100 years, creating them an absolute must on any tourist trail across the town. Amongst the seasons, the parkland oscillates from the blooming colors of spring and the attractive white hues of the South Island winter, and guests are requested to add to their trip with a self-guided tour book that’s existing to download online.

So, whether you chose to flounder away daily during your stay twisting on a bet down the handsome Avon waterway, or going high to the dramatic Port Hills ridges only outside of town, visitors equipped with these top tips on Christchurch will be well listed to your musts that the city has to offer, you are sure of no complaints after each trip.