THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand (2025)
Places to Visit in Christchurch
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Gondola, Flea & Street Markets, City Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Gondola, Flea & Street Markets, City Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Christchurch.
On the Waterfromper adult₹6,158- fromper adult₹21,807
Observation Decksfromper adult₹2,156
Theme Park Tickets and Toursfromper adult₹3,284- fromper adult₹15,342
- fromper adult₹13,341
- fromper adult₹11,289
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)₹10,211
Bus Toursfromper adult₹2,053
Zoos & Wildlife Parksfromper adult₹1,771
Tranquil botanical haven with diverse flora including themed gardens, mature trees, and a picturesque river walk. Seasonal blooms and artistic sculptures enhance the serene ambiance.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Glide above the city for panoramic views encompassing ocean, harbor, and mountains. Historical insights, a discovery ride, and a tranquil café complement the journey. Gift shop on-site.
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Speciality Museums
Admission tickets from ₹3,318
Chill with live penguins, brave a simulated Antarctic storm, and cuddle huskies. Features include a snow dome, 4D cinema, and the adventurous Hagglund ride.
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Tramway and cable car journey showcasing panoramic city views, botanical gardens, and main attractions with all-day hop-on-hop-off flexibility and engaging commentary.
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Nature & Wildlife Areas
Admission tickets from ₹1,789
Speciality Museums
Interactive exhibits and personal survivor accounts provide an engaging look into the impact of a major earthquake. Displays include powerful video footage and first-hand narratives.
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Parks
Expansive green space with botanical gardens, walking paths, and leisure activities like golf and tennis. Enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and Saturday farmers' market.
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Military Museums
Interactive exhibits on military aviation history, with a variety of historical aircraft and a flight simulator. Behind-the-scenes tours and a unique gift shop available.
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History Museums
Historical building presents a tapestry of New Zealand’s past, with exhibits on Maori culture, colonial history, and Antarctic expeditions amid a mix of ancient and contemporary artifacts.
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Scenic Walking Areas
Black sand beach with lifeguard-patrolled swimming areas, and unique attractions like Cave Rock. Features a boardwalk, ample sand space, and a popular ice cream shop for a leisurely day out.
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Playgrounds
Sprawling riverside play space with zip lines, climbing walls, water play area, and shaded picnic spots. Ideal for families, with activities to engage children across all age groups.
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Other Top Attractions around Christchurch
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- MaBiobabema226 contributionsSo nice to stroll around the garden. Very well cared for. I must have taken a hundred photos. The rose garden in particular was stunning. Inspired me to try my hand growing roses at home. Hydrangeas in colors I had never seen before. I met a woman while looking at the hydrangeas. Neither of us spoke the other's language but we were able to share our astonishment over the colors. Special moment.Written 14 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SMSOttawa, Canada58 contributionsThe gondola attraction is a little ways from the central part of the city but surprisingly good. Great views of the city from the top. Another surprise: lunch at the cafe at the top was delicious. We bought our tickets in advance but arrived to find no line-up. A separate ticket on the shuttle bus from the CBD to the Gondola was required, so all-in, not sure of the value-for-money. But the views were spectacular.Written 11 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ronald BArlington, VA3,840 contributionsAfter visiting the New Zealand Air Force Museum, I toured the International Antarctic Centre. It consists of Antarctic exhibits, a café, and bar. There, visitor attractions include an Antarctic snow storm room, an audiovisual display, and rides in Hägglunds all-terrain vehicle outside the centre. You need to really hold on while taking the ride, as you travel up and down in very rugged terrain. When you go into the snow storm room, heavy jackets are provided, as the really drop the temperature and raise the windy gust to a very high level. The wind chill is about minus 18 degrees Celsius. There is also a little blue penguins exhibit. It was a very interesting visit. With eight inches of snow outside today, I don’t need to visit the Antarctic.Written 9 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Alison P6 contributionsExcellent time had on the combo ticket, tram, gondola and punting. Hosts were friendly and shared some great information about the city and were happy to answer questions. They were friendly and interested where everyone came from. I would definitely recommend all three events. They don't have to be done on the same day.Written 19 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sandy WVancouver, Canada1,925 contributionsWe spent several hours walking on the wooden and dirt paths slowly throughout the park. What a delight it was! There are birds everywhere. And not just sparrows. There are attractive and easy to read signs all over the place detailing the unique animal species that are located at Willowbank. There are pond areas and water areas everywhere.
It was a delight to see the children feeding the eels as soon as you walk into the park after paying admission. We caught the latter part of the magic show and loved it. There is a small little-used lunch area with picnic tables behind the magic show, and adjoining the toilets.
A great place for families. Easy to walk. Children love the smaller and larger animals, Especially the birds that are often roaming freely.
You can purchase a bag of small food to feed the birds and also a different bag of larger food pellets to feed the larger animals such as the deer. Make sure to purchase these small white bags when you buy your admission as they are not available elsewhere in the park.
And, yes, we were able to spot two kiwis in the darkened kiwi shelter. It was magical.
Thank you, Willowbank, for a delightful day. Please give me a link if you find this review helpful. You can also look for reviews that I have written for Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington as well as Brisbane.Written 16 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Samantha B90 contributionsThis is a tiny museum but packs a ton of information and human interest into its small spaces. The displays about liquification and the science behind the earthquake were interesting and the videos of survivors were really impactful. A good place to spend an hour.Written 12 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DrQuresh MMumbai, India327 contributionsThe botanical gardens and Hagley Park are enjoyable places to walk around, even if you are not a botanist. There are a huge variety of flowering and non flowering plants and trees, both native to New Zealand and "imported" by the British. There is no rush and no need to "see everything". We spent a couple of hours, including sitting around doing"nothing" before moving on. It can be combined with punting on the River Avon which is close byWritten 7 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ronald BArlington, VA3,840 contributionsI love going to aviation museums. And I jumped at the opportunity to visit the New Zealand Air Force Museum in Christchurch, NZ. While it isn’t as the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio or the Pima Air Museum in Tucson, AZ, there are examples of aircraft that aren’t often see in the US. Yes, I’ve seen A-4’s, P-51’s, Spitfire’s, UH-1’s, and C-47’s, but the Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31M was something new, and unusual. There were a lot of aircraft to view. One of the exhibit halls had unusual/special lighting effect. There was a number of aircraft renovation projects underway. I really enjoyed the tour.Written 9 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EastbournefamilyEastbourne, UK339 contributionsJust a little taster of a museum, free to enter with an optional donation. Just one floor but quite good with a few nice pieces including a chunk of meteorite! We liked the Antarctic bit and you can sit on some pieces. Just one floor.Written 28 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HahnTravelsLiverpool, Australia1,303 contributionsBeautiful bays, walks and wildlife. Highly recommended. Drive carefully please as some of the roads are narrow and up high. This makes for fantastic views of course.
Okains Bay, Little Akaloa down to Akaroa itself, worth the trip - walk or drives!Written 19 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lenny HAuckland, New Zealand1,031 contributionsThe rock/cave was impressive. The beach itself is ok, but not amazing. Quite a nice drive from Christchurch, worth spending an afternoon here.Written 25 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Emma T11 contributions10/10 recommend, a must do when visiting Christchurch with children
A great spot to burn some energy and explore some of the most amazing unique obstacles!Written 21 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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