Best Things To Do in Christchurch, New Zealand

Are you looking for what to do in Christchurch?

Christchurch attractions are not many, but most of them offer scenic views of the city and the surrounding mountains. One of the things to do in Christchurch is visit the International Antarctic Centre and the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Other Christchurch tourist attractions include the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, the Orana Wildlife Park, the Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, Cathedral Square, Avon River, Quake City and 185 Empty White Chairs. While in the city, don’t forget to journey on the TranzAlpine train ride and also the Christchurch Gondola. 

Below we have a list of things to do in Christchurch and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Christchurch getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Christchurch with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Christchurch

Here is the list of things to do in Christchurch and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Tranzalpine Ride

    Entertainment, Train Ride

    The TranzAlpine ride is a very scenic train ride between Christchurch and Greymouth. If you start from Christchurch, on the way, you traverse farmlands, deep gorges, the Waimakariri River and finally through the Southern Alps into Greymouth. The ride is perhaps one of the most scenic train trips anywhere in the world.
  2. International Antarctic Centre

    Outdoors, Entertainment, Games

    One of New Zealand’s award winning attractions, the International Antarctic Centre is a must visit while on your trip to Christchurch. It has been designed in such a way that one can enjoy the fun of Antarctica without actually going there! You’ll get to experience snow and ice, survive an Antarctic Storm, learn about life in modern day Antarctica and hang out with Penguins! A major...Read more
  3. Canterbury Museum

    4.6 (1785 Votes)
    Canterbury Museum

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    Located within an architecturally magnificent building, the Canterbury Museum was started in the year 1870. The museum started with a collection of moa bones and bird skins, but today, the collections comprise more than 2.1 million items encompassing Antarctic expeditions, Canterbury settlement, ethnology and natural history. 
  4. Quake City

    4.3 (1722 Votes)
    Quake City

    Museum

    You can take a tour of the Quake City, once you pay a visit to the location of Christchurch, New Zealand. This area is decorated in such a way so that the visitors can understand the consequences of the earthquakes that Canterbury has gone through. You can see a good exhibition here which shows the results of the earthquakes that took place on 4th September 2010 and 22nd February 2011. Apart fr...Read more
  5. Christchurch Gondola

    4.5 (1503 Votes)
    Christchurch Gondola

    Outdoors, Entertainment, Cable Car

    Christchurch Gondola is a cable car ride that offers a unique Christchurch sightseeing experience. Experience stunning 360° views from the top- from the cityscape of Christchurch to the Canterbury Plains to the peaks of the Southern Alps. A Time Travel ride at the summit takes you through the smouldering depths of a volcano, a native New Zealand forest, a short voyage onboard a ship and thr...Read more
  6. Hagley Park

    4.6 (2151 Votes)
    Hagley Park

    Park, Botanical Garden, Golf Course, Walking Area

    Spread across 400 acres, the Hagley Park has been a city landmark since the 1850s. The park is a major sporting and cultural focal point as well with netball courts, a golf course and soccer and rugby pitches. It also has a jogging/ running track. Situated with Hagley Park is the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. They are the city’s most popular, most visited and most loved attraction. T...Read more
  7. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

    4.6 (1513 Votes)
    Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

    Outdoors, Wildlife Park, Bird Watching

    Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a wildlife park which is home to New Zealand’s Big 5- Kiwi, Kea, Tuatara, bush parrot Kaka and the Takahe. Apart from these, other animals that can be found at the reserve are Fallow Deer, Wallabies, Capuchins, Otters, Lemurs, Peacocks, Goats, Miniature Horses, and a lot more. Spend a day at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve with Triphobo Tours that offer you ulti...Read more
  8. Orana Wildlife Park

    4.4 (1093 Votes)
    Orana Wildlife Park

    Wildlife Park

    Situated near Christchurch Airport, the Orana Wildlife Park is spread across 80 hectares (198 acres). Animal encounters are a speciality of this park. Feed Giraffes, meet a rhino, feed a Lemur, say hi to a kiwi or travel through the Lion reserve! The Orana Wildlife Park is also known for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes. So the entry fees that you pay are utilized for a good cau...Read more
  9. Air Force Museum Of New Zealand

    Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    The Air Force Museum of New Zealand has on display premier military aviation collections- aircrafts, engines and assorted parts, medals, weapons, pin-ups, parachute-silk wedding dresses and a lot more. While on a visit, marvel at the collection of 28 classic aircrafts, fly a simulator and experience life in the Air Force.
  10. Cashel Street

    Walking Area, Shopping Center, Streets

    Visit Cashel Street to see how an entire city fought back nature after all the devastating earthquakes. The street is a creative solution for the devastation from Christchurch earthquakes. You will definitely admire its approach to rebuilding the city. There is an array of shops along with restaurants, cafes and food trucks. A major Attraction is the Re:Start Container Mall.  
  11. Avon River

    River, Walking Area, Leisure, Water Sport

    Avon River is a river that runs through Christchurch. During the day, it witnesses a lot of activities, namely, punting, boating and riverbank picnicking. Head over to the river for some leisure activities. Many locals head for a morning jog along the riverbank. 
  12. Port Hills

    4.6 (1119 Votes)
    Port Hills

    Trail, Hiking Trail, Walking Area, Hill

    The Port Hills are a range of hills in New Zealand. They are situated between the city of Christchurch and Lyttelton. The Port Hills are a trekker’s paradise! The hills are full of running and cycling tracks and walkways and hiking trails. Some of the trails include Bridle Path, Rapaki Track, Bowenvale- Sugarloaf Circuit and Huntsbury Track. 
  13. Christchurch Casino

    Food And Drinks, Casino, Entertainment

    If gambling is on your mind, head over to the Christchurch Casino. It was New Zealand’s first casino when it opened back in the year 1994. Hosting 36 table games, 500 slot machines, 4 bars, 3 restaurants, live bands on weeksends and poker championships, the Christchurch Casino is the place to be while your night out in town. 
  14. 185 Empty White Chairs

    4.6 (1136 Votes)
    185 Empty White Chairs

    Landmark, Memorial

    185 Empty White Chairs is a moving tribute to the 185 people who perished in the earthquake of 2011. Armchairs, dining room chairs, sofa chairs, office chairs, high chairs, a wheel chair, a baby capsule etc.-each chair represents the individual who died.
  15. Cathedral Square

    4.2 (1185 Votes)
    Cathedral Square

    Walking Area, Performance, Square, Street Market

    The Cathedral Square is Christchurch’s main square and serves as a hangout for the people of the city. In the evening, the square comes alive and is bustling with street performers. While on your visit to the square, do check out the ruins of the Christchurch Cathedral. The cathedral was destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 2011. Another attraction is the Chalice. It is a large...Read more