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Before you go
Your trip to Christchurch.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Christchurch – Canterbury Destination Christchurch and Akaroa Capital
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional de Christchurch (CHC) Harewood · 12 km
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Estação ferroviária de Christchurch (Addington) Addington · 3 km
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Terminal de ônibus de Christchurch (Bus Interchange) 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
The international airport is about 12 km from the centre, with city buses and taxis. The TranzAlpine train runs to Greymouth, and there is a tourist train to Picton for part of the year. Long‑distance coaches link the city with Kaikōura, Tekapo, Queenstown and Dunedin.
How many days
Two days: one for the centre, the Botanic Gardens and the art gallery; another for the Port Hills gondola and the International Antarctic Centre. Add a day for Akaroa.
When to go
From December to March days are long and warm, with outdoor events in the parks. In April and May the trees in Hagley Park change colour. From June to August it is cold, with frost in the mornings and snow in the mountains.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
You don’t need a car for the centre — it is flat and has cycle lanes — nor for the airport and the Antarctic centre, which are served by buses. There are buses to the gondola, and a car is useful for Akaroa and for travelling onward across the South Island.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Christchurch
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Morning
Jardim Botânico
Spend the morning in the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, with the glasshouse, the rose garden and the Avon River.
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Afternoon
Art and architecture in the centre
Visit the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Cardboard Cathedral and stroll along New Regent Street.
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Late afternoon
View from Port Hills
Take the gondola up to Mount Cavendish for views over the harbour and plains at the end of the day; check the time of the last ascent.
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Evening
Centre at night
Return to the centre for dinner near Cashel Street or by the Avon.
2 days in Christchurch
Day 1
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Morning
Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park
Start at the Botanic Gardens, with the Cuningham House glasshouse, the rose garden and the native plant garden, then walk through Hagley Park along the Avon River.
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Afternoon
Art gallery and centre
Walk to the Christchurch Art Gallery in the centre, then to the Cardboard Cathedral near Latimer Square. On the way, pass Cathedral Square and New Regent Street with its colourful buildings.
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Late afternoon
Avon riverbanks
Walk along the Avon riverbanks, where there are punts, and by the earthquake memorial on the river edge.
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Evening
Dinner in the center
Dine in the centre, where food markets and restaurants cluster around Cashel Street.
Day 2
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Morning
International Antarctic Centre
Go to the International Antarctic Centre, next to the airport, with the Antarctic storm room, the blue penguins and the snow vehicle ride. Allow two to three hours.
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Afternoon
Port Hills gondola
Cross the city to Heathcote Valley and take the gondola up to Mount Cavendish for views over Lyttelton harbour, the plains and the Southern Alps.
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Late afternoon
Lyttelton
Descend to Lyttelton, the harbour town on the other side of the hills, about 12 km from the centre via the tunnel, and walk along the main street facing the harbour.
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Evening
Return to Christchurch
Have dinner in Lyttelton or return to Christchurch centre, about a 20‑minute drive.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Christchurch?
Visit the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, the Christchurch Art Gallery, the Cardboard Cathedral, the International Antarctic Centre and ride the Port Hills gondola. The city is also a base for Akaroa, Kaikōura and the Southern Alps.
How to get from Christchurch airport to the centre?
By city bus, which departs the terminal and takes about 30 minutes to the centre, or by taxi and rideshare in around 20 minutes. The airport is about 12 km away.
What is the TranzAlpine train?
It is the train that crosses the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth on the West Coast, passing the Canterbury plains, the Waimakariri river gorges and Arthur's Pass. The journey takes about 5 hours each way; book in advance.
Is Christchurch cathedral open?
The stone cathedral on Cathedral Square was heavily damaged in 2011 and is not open to visitors. The Cardboard Cathedral, near Latimer Square, operates in its place and can be visited.
Is Christchurch a good base for the South Island?
Yes. It is the main airport on the island and the place where many people hire cars to continue to Kaikōura, Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, the West Coast or Queenstown.