10 Best Things to Do in Christchurch

Looking for what to do in Christchurch? Known as New Zealand’s “Garden City,” Christchurch blends English heritage charm with modern architecture, creative public spaces and a spirit of resilience shaped by its recent history. The city is green, calm and surprisingly innovative — where punting boats glide along a willow-lined river, trams rattle past pastel-coloured terraces, and new cafés, galleries and street art continue to reshape its identity.

Beyond the city centre, the Port Hills, beaches, wildlife reserves and Banks Peninsula offer easy access to nature, coastal scenery and hiking trails. Whether you’re visiting for landscapes, culture or architecture, Christchurch rewards travellers who explore both its historic roots and its contemporary reinvention. Here are the 10 best things to do in Christchurch, crafted to help you experience the city in depth.

1. Wander the Christchurch Botanic Gardens

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are one of the city’s most beautiful spaces — 21 hectares of themed gardens, lawns, ponds and tree-lined avenues tucked alongside the Avon River. Founded in 1863, the gardens showcase native and exotic plants, including rose beds, native bush sections, conservatories and wide lawns perfect for picnics.

Walking paths weave past ancient trees, flower borders and glasshouses filled with tropical plants. In spring and summer, the gardens burst with colour, while autumn brings golden foliage. It’s a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city and an essential Christchurch experience.

2. Ride the Historic Christchurch Tram

The restored Christchurch Tram offers a nostalgic way to explore the city. Its vintage carriages loop through key points including New Regent Street, the Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Square and the Arts Centre, giving you a hop-on, hop-off overview of major attractions.

Conductors share snippets of history as you ride, making it both scenic and informative. It’s especially enjoyable around New Regent Street, where colourful Spanish Mission–style buildings create one of the prettiest streetscapes in the country.

3. Explore the Avon River: Punting, Kayaking or Riverside Walks

The Avon River meanders gently through central Christchurch, framed by grassy banks, overhanging willow trees and pedestrian bridges. One of the most iconic activities is punting — a traditional flat-bottom boat guided by a punter using a long pole, similar to Cambridge or Oxford.

Kayaking and paddleboarding offer more active ways to explore the river, while riverside walking and cycling paths provide a peaceful way to see the city from a different angle. Early mornings and late afternoons are especially atmospheric as the light filters through the trees.

4. Visit the Canterbury Museum and New Cultural Precinct

Canterbury Museum, located next to the Botanic Gardens, is undergoing a major redevelopment but remains central to understanding the region’s natural and human history. Exhibits showcase Māori heritage, Antarctic exploration, colonial settlement and local wildlife.

Nearby, the Arts Centre — a collection of Gothic Revival stone buildings — has been beautifully restored, housing artisans, galleries, boutique shops, markets and creative studios. Together, these institutions form the cultural core of Christchurch’s city centre.

5. Walk or Drive the Port Hills for Panoramic Views

The Port Hills rise between Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour, offering some of the best lookouts, hiking trails and cycling routes in the region. Roads and tracks lead to summits where you can see the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, Pegasus Bay and Banks Peninsula all in a single panorama.

The Christchurch Gondola takes you to one of the most accessible viewpoints, with walking paths at the top connecting to craters, ridgelines and old volcanic formations. Sunset from the hills is especially stunning, with golden light spilling over farmland and coastline.

6. Explore New Regent Street and the CBD’s Modern Architecture

New Regent Street is one of Christchurch’s architectural gems — a pastel-coloured row of Spanish Mission–style terraces filled with cafés, dessert bars, wine spots and boutique shops. The tram runs straight through the middle, adding to the charm.

Much of central Christchurch has been rebuilt since the earthquakes, and the result is a mix of sleek modern buildings, open plazas, street art and innovative community spaces. Walking around the CBD reveals how the city has embraced creativity and resilience in its design.

7. Visit Quake City for Insight into Christchurch’s Story

Quake City is a small but powerful museum dedicated to the earthquakes that reshaped Christchurch in 2010 and 2011. Through interactive displays, artefacts, videos and personal stories, it explains what happened, how the city responded and how reconstruction has shaped its identity.

It’s a moving, educational and essential stop for understanding modern Christchurch — and a testament to the city’s strength and community spirit.

8. Take a Trip to Lyttelton: Port Town with Character

Just through the tunnel from Christchurch, Lyttelton is a colourful, creative port town set against steep hills and a natural harbour. Known for its markets, cafés, live music venues and artsy vibe, it’s one of the region’s most interesting neighbourhoods.

Visit the Saturday Farmers’ Market, explore local galleries, walk to the Timeball Station or take a harbour cruise to spot dolphins and seabirds. Lyttelton is also the gateway to many Banks Peninsula walks and bays.

9. Relax at Sumner Beach or New Brighton Pier

Christchurch has easy access to beaches that stretch along Pegasus Bay. Sumner Beach is a favourite, with its soft sand, surf breaks, beachfront eateries and family-friendly atmosphere. Cave Rock adds character to one end of the beach, offering fun climbing and photography angles.

New Brighton Beach features a long pier that extends far into the ocean, perfect for sunrise walks, fishing or simply enjoying coastal views. The nearby hot pools provide a relaxing way to unwind overlooking the sea.

10. Use Christchurch as a Base for South Island Adventures

Christchurch is an ideal starting point for exploring the South Island. Within a few hours’ drive you can reach the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo’s star-filled skies, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Hanmer Springs’ thermal pools or the whale-watching town of Kaikōura.

Day trips and multi-day road journeys reveal some of New Zealand’s greatest scenery, from turquoise lakes and snowy peaks to forests, rivers and farmland. Using Christchurch as your base lets you balance urban charm with access to dramatic landscapes.