Itineraries for Your Trip to Christchurch
2 Days in Christchurch for First Timers
Christchurch is the most easily accessible big city from where I live in Nelson, at the top of the South Island. (While Wellington is technically closer, I’d choose the 6-hour mountain drive to Christchurch over a hair-raising flight or choppy ferry crossing to Wellington any day!) When I regularly visit New Zealand’s second city for my child’s sports competitions, I always make time for some sightseeing.
My first time in Christchurch was in the late 1990s, and the city is a vastly different place now, largely because it suffered two major earthquakes (in 2010 and 2011). Its post-quake reconstruction has been a great success, and first-time visitors will find many ways to spend two days in Christchurch, New Zealand.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a stroll along the banks of the Avon River in the central city.
Coastal but with the mountains nearby, Christchurch’s climate is generally mild, with warm summers but a chill in the air in winter—bring layers to wear in all seasons.
Get your bearings in Christchurch by boarding the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tram at several central-city locations: Cathedral Square is a convenient place to do so. Relax and listen to the commentary as you make a full circuit, or get down to explore the places that appeal to you along the way, including New Regent Street, Hagley Park, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Take your pick of Christchurch’s top museums or attractions this afternoon. The city is one of five global gateways to Antarctica, and you can learn all about the frozen continent at the International Antarctic Centre. If braving a -0.4°F (-18°C) storm doesn’t appeal, head to the family-friendly Willowbank Wildlife Reserve or Orana Wildlife Park instead. You’ll need your own transport to reach these places; if you don’t have it, try the Canterbury Museum in central Christchurch instead.
Central Christchurch offers wonderful Kiwi and international dining, especially in the new developments alongside the Avon River. Enjoy fine dining with local South Island seafood, lamb, and wine at an upscale restaurant, or sample a wide range of international fare at the always-busy Riverside Market. For wine tasting you could venture north to the Waipara Valley in the evening—about an hour’s drive away—to visit some of the region’s wineries.
While Christchurch itself is rather flat, the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula near the city provide an interesting contrast and make good day trip destinations. Join a dolphin-watching cruise or kayaking trip from Akaroa, an old French settlement. Alternatively, ride on the Christchurch Gondola for great views of the city, the fertile Canterbury Plains, and the snow-capped Southern Alps beyond.
Kick back and relax this afternoon. If it’s a warm day, make like a local and head to Sumner Beach to swim or sit at a beachside café. In contrast, the outdoor He Puna Taimoana hot pool complex in New Brighton is good in all seasons, but the heated pools, sauna, and steam room are especially enticing in winter. If you have a generous budget, a scenic helicopter flight over the city is an unforgettable experience.
If you’re into live music or theater, check what’s on while you’re in town. Venues such as the Court Theatre, the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, and the various spaces at the Christchurch Town Hall put on diverse concerts and plays. Alternatively, if you’re traveling west or north from Christchurch, consider making a headstart on the journey and drop in at the Opuke Hot Pools in Methven or the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa for an evening soak.
