What's on in Christchurch

The latest Sightseeing, Tours, Attractions & Events in Christchurch
Hotels and Accommodation in Christchurch
Tours from Christchurch
Coach Tours from Christchurch
Whale Watching Tours from Christchurch
Train Trips
Map of Christchurch
Christchurch City Tours

Christchurch is the major city on New Zealand's South Island and mixes outdoors adventure events, with stunning scenery and cultural sophistication.

Within easy reach of Christchurch is fantastic skiing on the Southern Alps, jet boat safaris, wineries, glow worm caves, and the almost unmatcheable natural beauty of Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound.

In winter the fabled slopes around Queenstown offer some of the best skiing in the world and you can always try your skills out on New Zealand's highest peak of Mount Cook.

If you are a train lover then Christchurch offers some fantastic rail journeys around the glorious South Island.

Christchurch highlights:

Gondola Ride

Riding the Christchurch Gondola is a spectacular experience. The 945-metre Gondola ride gently lifts passengers on a six-minute journey in the comfort of a 4 person gondola cabin, almost 500 metres above sea level.

Capture unique 360 degree views of Christchurch and distant peaks of the Southern Alps, see Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as you rise to the summit complex, on the crater rim of Christchurch's famous extinct volcano.

Hop on. Hop Off Tram Tour

Join the Christchurch Hop-on Hop-off Tram Tour and experience the combination of tram heritage, attractions and historic buildings with the culture of the Garden City.

The hop-on hop-off route is approximately 25 minutes or 2.5 kilometres of track and includes all the major sights including Cathedral Square, Arts Centre, Botanical Gardens, River Avon and Cathedral Junction.

Your Christchurch Hop-on Hop-off pass is valid for two consecutive days. This is the best way to experience Christchurch at your own pace. Jump onboard the beautifully restored trams and hop-on and off at any of the tram stops to explore the sight and attractions up close.

Tram drivers provide a live entertaining and informative commentary throughout the journey.

Discover Morning Tour

Discover Christchurch on this 3-hour morning tour. Sightseeing highlights include the Anglican Cathedral, Victoria Square, Law Courts, Provincial Chambers, Bridge of Remembrance, Museum, Arts Centre, Mona Vale, Sumner Beachfront, Cave Rock, Port Hills and Lyttelton.

An optional visit to the International Antarctic Centre is also included.

Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise

Unwind in the sea air on this two-hour Christchurch Lyttelton Harbour wildlife cruise. You'll experience the extensive local marine life including the world's smallest and rarest marine dolphin - the Hector's Dolphins also known as New Zealand Dolphins.

As you depart you will see the historic township of Lyttelton, which hosts a busy working port with a fascinating history. The "first four ships" arrived here direct from the Britain carrying the first Canterbury settlers in December 1850.

The highlight of the cruise is undoubtedly the location of the Hector's Dolphin. The experience of the skipper and crew mean you can quickly locate the dolphins and spend time watching their antics. You'll also see a wide variety of coastal marine bird life.

Hot-Air Balloons

See the sun rise over the Canterbury Plains on an early-morning hot-air balloon flight from Christchurch.

The sensation of floating over the patchwork farmland at dawn is something you'll never forget, whether you're a visitor or a local - and the views you'll capture with your camera are sensational.

After taking off in your hot-air balloon, the parks, rivers and buildings of Christchurch fade into the distance, making way for the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps to the west and the endless blue ocean to the east.

Ballooning is a terrific activity for families with children over the age of five to have an adventure together, in a safe environment.

Taking off at sunrise allows you to enjoy the beginning of your day in an original and memorable way, leaving plenty of time for the remainder of your busy itinerary.

Tram Restaurant Dinner

Sit back in luxury on a 36-seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and be treated to the finest service, cuisine and beverages New Zealand has to offer.

See Cathedral Square, Botanical Gardens and the River Avon glide past your windows. Christchurch is famous for its fabulous dining, entertainment, breathtaking scenery and cultural heritage.

Combine all of the above onboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant where dining is not only a culinary delight but also a trip back into history.

Dinner Package Options: Rolleston Dinner Package - includes four-couse meal (starter, entree, main and dessert) with welcome drink, tea and coffee.

Cathedral Dinner Package - includes five-course meal (starter, entre, main, dessert and cheeseboard) with all selected beverages including quality New Zealand wines, beer, spirits, juice, tea and coffee.

This is a very popular Dinner Tour and is usually booked out in advance, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings, to avoid disappointment book now!

Dinner, Maori Concert

The tour commences at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Here you will be treated to a truly memorable Maori welcome followed by a cultural performance with a Maori Concert consisting of action songs, poi dances and haka.

Following the performance, enjoy a wonderful buffet dinner at Willowbank.

After dinner, you will be taken on a tour of the Reserve. On returning to the central city you will be given a guided tour of the Christchurch at night prior to being returned to your accommodation.

Lord of the Rings - Edoras

Journey to the remote and beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday; see how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Immerse yourself in the natural unspoilt beauty of the high country's sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh mountain air.

This great day out includes 4WD access onto Mt Sunday itself, a delicious champagne picnic lunch, fully running commentary from a friendly and knowledgeable kiwi tour guide and spectacular scenery you will never forget.

You don't have to be a Lord of the Rings fan to enjoy this amazing day out!

Whale Watch Day Tour

Spend the day getting close to nature on a whale-watching day trip to Kaikoura, renowned for its variety of marine mammals.

You'll enjoy a scenic drive through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, go on a whale-watching boat tour from Kaikoura, visit a seal colony and complete the day with a wine tasting at a local vineyard.

On your whale-watching cruise from beautiful Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea, you might spot giant sperm whales, acrobatic dusky dolphins, seals and royal albatross.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll visit a seal colony to view fur seals at close quarters.

On your return journey to Christchurch you'll stop at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.

Jetboating

Take the plunge on a jet boat ride through Christchurch waters and admire striking scenery!

Whether you're pressed for time or can afford a half day, this adventure full of thrills and spills is suitable for the whole family.

Waimak Gorge Jet Boating (3 hours): Enjoy one of the most exhilarating and scenically spectacular jetboat rides available in New Zealand. Jetboat the Waimakariri River Gorge through the foothills of the Southern Alps with breathtaking views of rugged snow-capped mountains. You will travel from Christchurch by road through the rural pastoral scenes of the Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Waimak Gorge Jet Boating Safari (4 1/2 hours): As an alternative you can choose the Waimak Gorge Jet Boating Safari. Travel to the upper Waimakariri Gorge, to areas which are otherwise inaccessible. From its birthplace in the rugged Southern Alps, the snow-fed waters of the Waimakariri enter the canyons and gorges where steep rock faces are lined with native forests. The spectacular scenery makes this more than just a jet boat experience.

Lower Waimak Jet Boat (1 1/2 hours): When time is limited but you still want to experience the thrill of jet boating then this option satisfies those requirements. A thrilling jet boat option in the shallow river flats of the snow fed Waimakariri River. Experience the thrills of jet boating through the shallow, shifting, ever-changing courses of shingle bottom streams.

Akaroa Swim With Dolphins
Pictures of Akaroa

Enjoy this full day trip from Christchurch and visit the beautiful unspoiled old French whaling depot of Akaroa.

Travel by road to Akaroa via Sign of the Takahe and Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, Little River and the Hill Top. A stop will also be made at the cheese factory at Barry's Bay, where you can sample some fine New Zealand cheese.

On arriving at Akaroa join the Canterbury Cat Too for a cruise on the Akaroa Harbour sighting dolphins, penguins and seals. Prior to your departure you will be equipped with wet suit, mask, snorkel and flippers.

After locating a pod of Hectors Dolphins you will enter the water to swim with these rare and endangered mammals.

Following your return to Akaroa village, time will be available for lunch (additional at own expense) and to explore the many fine craft shops and old French colonial buildings prior to your return to Christchurch.

Waipara Wine Trail

Enjoy a 3.5-hour wine trail tour exploring four of North Canterbury's boutique vineyards including Mud House, Torlesse, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs, all producing a fine selection of both white and red wines.

You'll be picked up from your centrally located Christchurch hotel and travel 40-minutes to Waipara, the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand. Visit and enjoy wine tasting guided tours of four boutique vineyards.

Mud House, Torlesse, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs are all located in the Waipara area, well known for its warm dry climate and limestone rich soils, both ideal for quality wine production.

Should any of the above named wineries be unavailable on the day of the tour, an alternative winery in the Waipara area will included.

Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula Tour
Pictures of Akaroa

Discover the historic town of Akaroa and the magnificent natural beauty of the Banks Peninsula on this small group tour from Christchurch.

Be amazed by the spectacular views of Akaroa Harbour and the Canterbury Plains on the high scenic drive from Christchurch, visit a cheese factory to taste locally made cheese and explore Akoroa's French influenced streets.

You'll have the choice to join a nature and harbor cruise to see the rich variety of marine and bird life or to swim with Hector's Dolphins, the world smallest and rarest dolphins only found in New Zealand waters.

Albatross Encounter

Kaikoura is famous for whales and dolphins and arguably one of the world's most exciting arenas for ocean-going birds.

This full-day tour accompanies the Kaikoura Whale Watch Tours from Christchurch. Within close proximity of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula, see a considerable array of albatross, petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls.

Kaikoura has one of the largest number of different types of seabirds within a small area than anywhere along the New Zealand coastlines.

On your arrival in Kaikoura you may enjoy either an early lunch or have free time to explore Kaikoura before being transferred to Ocean Wings Albatross Encounter.

Experience the sensation of getting close to the mighty albatross, one of the world's largest flight birds. There will also be the opportunity during the day to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. This stop provides a great photo opportunity.

Canterbury Museum

History lovers may want to take some time out to visit the Canterbury Museum, which is regarded as one of the leading collection houses in New Zealand.

The major displays include geological, zoological, Maori, Asian and European exhibitions. You can also check out how Christchurch looked in the late 19th century. Children can come to grips with displays at the Discovery Centre and there is a major exhibition on Antarctic exploration.

Canterbury Museum is open every day (except Christmas Day) between 9am and 5pm in the winter, and 9am until 5.30pm in the summer. Guided tours are available. Entry by donation. Discovery $2 per person. It is situated in Rolleston Ave.

Christchurch Art Gallery

In 2003 the city opened a new $47.5 million Art Gallery that houses collections of British and European paintings - historical, 20th Century and Contemporary - as well as galleries featuring of works on paper and glass and craft.

The Christchurch Art Gallery is in the heart of the city's cultural precinct on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street and its hours are between 10am and 5pm daily, 10am to 9pm every Wednesday. It is closed on Christmas Day.

Arts Centre

For arts lovers you can visit the city's Arts Centre that features galleries, craft shops, cinemas, restaurants, bars and cafes.

The centre's historic building dates back to 1873 when it was part of Canterbury University and you can visit the oldest lecture theatre in New Zealand.

The Arts Centre is open every day and is at 2 Worcester Boulevard.

Air Force World

Air Force World is a museum dedicated to flight in New Zealand and is located at the former air force base at Wigram. The museum has more than 28 restored classic aircraft to view and there is a Battle of Britain display in the Second World War exhibition. Visitors can hop aboard a Tiger Moth for a flight over the city.

Air Force World is open every day between 10am and 5pm and is a 15 minute drive from central Christchurch on the Main South Road at Wigram.

Picture courtesy Mark Hofert