Christchurch and Akaroa, New Zealand: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Christchurch (Ōtautahi in Māori) is the largest city on the South Island, with more than 400,000 inhabitants, and the main gateway to Canterbury, the Southern Alps, and the west coast. It sits on the edge of the Canterbury plains, crossed by the Avon River (Ōtākaro), and its green centre is Hagley Park, with the Botanic Gardens established in 1863.

The city was marked by the earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011; the second, magnitude 6.3, killed 185 people and destroyed much of the central city. Reconstruction changed the landscape: new buildings sit alongside restored 19th-century stone structures, open spaces and urban artworks. The Cardboard Cathedral by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, opened in 2013, became one of the symbols of this phase.

To the south, the Port Hills separate the city from Lyttelton harbour, and a funicular climbs to the top of Mount Cavendish with views over the plains, the harbour and the Alps. Near the airport, the International Antarctic Centre highlights that Christchurch is the base for Antarctic programmes from New Zealand, the United States and Italy.

About 84 km by road, Akaroa lies within the crater of an ancient volcano on the Banks Peninsula, beside a natural harbour. Founded by French settlers in 1840, the village retains streets with French names, wooden houses and a museum about the peninsula’s history. Hector’s dolphin, the world’s smallest dolphin, lives in the harbour and is found only in New Zealand.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Christchurch, Akaroa.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Christchurch and Akaroa is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Christchurch and Akaroa

✈ Aeroporto Internacional de Christchurch (CHC), in Harewood · 12 km to Christchurch

Christchurch International Airport, about 12 km from the centre, handles domestic flights from across the country and flights from Australia and other countries. The TranzAlpine train links the city with Greymouth on the West Coast. Akaroa is about 84 km away, a one-and-a-half-hour drive, with daily buses.

Suggested arrival point: Christchurch

Canterbury · Christchurch and Akaroa Capital Suggested arrival point

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and the seat of Canterbury, rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens occupy the west side of the city centre, cut by the Avon River; in the centre are the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Cardboard Cathedral. The Port Hills gondola and the International Antarctic Centre complete the visit, and the city is a gateway to the Alps and the West Coast.

Canterbury · Christchurch and Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa is a village of about 600 people on the Banks Peninsula, beside a natural harbour formed in the crater of an ancient volcano. Founded by French settlers in 1840, it retains streets with French names, wooden houses and the peninsula museum. Boats depart from the wharf for harbour trips, where Hector’s dolphin, the world’s smallest dolphin, lives.

The local experience

Things to do in Christchurch and Akaroa

Christchurch · Canterbury · Garden

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

A 21‑hectare garden created in 1863 within Hagley Park, on the banks of the Avon River. Cuningham House glasshouse, dating from 1924, a rose garden with 104 beds and a native plant garden with century‑old trees.

Akaroa · Canterbury · Bay

Akaroa Harbour

Natural harbour formed in the crater of an ancient volcano on the Banks Peninsula, with cliffs, caves and coves. Boat trips depart from Akaroa wharf; the harbour is home to Hector's dolphin, the smallest dolphin in the world.

Christchurch · Canterbury · Church

Cardboard Cathedral (Transitional Cathedral)

Provisional Anglican cathedral designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and opened in 2013, with a structure of large cardboard tubes, near Latimer Square. It replaces the stone cathedral damaged in 2011.

Akaroa · Canterbury · Museum

Akaroa Museum

Museum of the history of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula, opened in 1964 on Rue Lavaud. It includes the 1878 courthouse, the Langlois-Éteveneaux house from the 1840s, and the old customs house.

See 4 more places in Christchurch and Akaroa

Christchurch · Canterbury · Art museum

Christchurch Art Gallery — Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Christchurch's public art gallery, opened in 2003 in a glass-fronted central building. It served as Civil Defence headquarters after the earthquakes and reopened in 2015, with a collection of New Zealand and Pacific art.

Akaroa · Canterbury · Lighthouse

Akaroa Lighthouse

Wooden lighthouse built in 1880 at the harbour entrance, 82 metres above sea level, and moved in sections to the village tip at Cemetery Point in 1980.

Christchurch · Canterbury · Museum

International Antarctic Centre (Christchurch Antarctic Centre)

Visitor center about Antarctica, next to Christchurch Airport, on the campus of the Antarctic programs of New Zealand, the United States and Italy. Simulated storm room, little blue penguins and a ride in an over-snow vehicle.

Christchurch · Canterbury · Viewpoint

Christchurch Gondola (Mount Cavendish Gondola)

A gondola of about 1 km that rises from Heathcote Valley to the top of Port Hills, at 445 meters, with views over Lyttelton Harbour, the Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury plains and the Southern Alps.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From December to March, with long, warm days ideal for gardens, beaches and Akaroa harbour; Hector’s dolphins tend to come closer to shore in spring and summer. Autumn, in April and May, colours the trees in Hagley Park. Winter, from June to August, is cold and dry, with snow on the distant mountains.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days: two in Christchurch to see the central city, the Botanic Gardens, the art gallery, the funicular and the International Antarctic Centre, and one day in Akaroa with a boat trip around the harbour. Those with only one day for Akaroa often do a same-day return from Christchurch.

Which city to stay in

Christchurch city centre, near Hagley Park and Cathedral Square, lets you visit museums, restaurants and the Avon River on foot. Merivale and Riccarton, neighbouring residential suburbs, offer quieter accommodations. In Akaroa, lodging is in the village along the bay; book ahead in summer.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Christchurch and Akaroa

How many days to stay in Christchurch?

Two days cover the central city, the Botanic Gardens, the art gallery, the funicular and the International Antarctic Centre. Add a day for Akaroa. Many people use the city as a starting point for the Southern Alps and the West Coast.

Can you do Akaroa as a day trip from Christchurch?

Yes. It’s about 84 km, a one-and-a-half-hour drive with winding roads near the end, and there are daily buses. One day allows time for a boat trip around the harbour and a walk around the village.

Does Christchurch still show signs of the earthquakes?

The city has been largely rebuilt, with new buildings and restored older structures. Some empty lots and buildings under repair still recall the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, and there are memorials in the centre.

Do you need a car in Christchurch?

Not for the central city, which is walkable or bikeable, nor for the airport and the Antarctic centre, which are served by buses. A car is helpful for getting to Akaroa, using the funicular and continuing travel around the South Island, so many people rent a vehicle in the city.

What is the best time to visit Christchurch and Akaroa?

December to March offers long days and more boat departures in Akaroa. Autumn, in April and May, brings colour to the parks. Winter is cold and dry.

Christchurch and Akaroa

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip