Discover Christchurch
Accommodation in Christchurch
Christchurch invites you to explore in many different ways, with inner-city gardens, expansive parklands and distinctive cultural venues. The city is also surrounded by coastal habitats and, as a broader regional setting, the landscapes of Canterbury. When planning your trip, it is worth considering individual places as well as which experiences you would like to focus on.
Gardens, parklands and coast
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of Christchurch. Their collections include native and exotic plant species. At the visitor centre, ilex Cafe offers a relaxed dining experience focused on locally sourced ingredients. If you plan to visit, check the latest opening details in advance.
Hagley Park covers 165 hectares, with extensive open spaces and mature woodlands. For an active time in the park, there are two perimeter paths of different lengths for walking and cycling: the path in North Hagley Park is 4.5 kilometres long, while the one in South Hagley Park is 3.7 kilometres long. You can compare the two routes by length and choose the distance that best suits your plans.
The Christchurch coastline also has a character all its own: it provides habitats for wildlife and specialised coastal plants. New Brighton Pier is 300 metres long. The coastal habitats and the pier represent different aspects of the city—nature on the one hand, and a striking waterside structure on the other.
Architecture and city history
Christchurch Town Hall is a Brutalist event and cultural complex. The architecture and acoustics of its auditorium are internationally acclaimed. The complex lies immediately north of the Victoria Square precinct in central Christchurch and is fully integrated into its riverside setting. Quake City tells the stories of the earthquakes that shook the region in 2010 and 2011. Together, the architecture and exhibition offer different ways to engage with Christchurch’s culture and history.
Parkland in Akaroa
Stanley Park Recreation Reserve is located in the centre of Akaroa, on Banks Peninsula. Open grassy areas and naturally regenerating kānuka forest shape the reserve. Informal walking tracks offer harbour views from the open grasslands. In contrast to Hagley Park’s extensive grounds and mature woodlands, Stanley Park brings open meadows and regenerating forest together in one place in Akaroa.
These distinct characteristics can help you focus your search on the experiences you want to shape your trip.
Canterbury: from the Pacific to the Southern Alps
Canterbury stretches east from the Pacific coast to the Southern Alps in the west. The Canterbury Plains are another of the region’s scenic highlights. Rivers and mountains offer opportunities for outdoor adventures. This regional perspective complements Christchurch without conflating Canterbury’s landscapes with places in the city.
Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill is of particular significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tūāhuriri. This culturally and ecologically significant landscape is known for its towering limestone formations. The Kura Tāwhiti Access Track starts at the Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti car park in the Waimakariri Basin of Canterbury; no booking is required for this track. The Ōtamahua/Quail Island Loop Track is 4.5 kilometres long and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.
History is also part of this broader regional picture: Canterbury Museum first opened to the public in 1867 in the premises of the Canterbury Provincial Council. Together with Canterbury’s landscapes and tracks, this provides a wider context for planning your trip alongside experiences in Christchurch and Akaroa.
Discover destinations: Christchurch, Akaroa, Lyttelton, Duvauchelle, Hurunui District, Mackenzie District, Ashburton District, Kaikoura District.
For the broader travel overview: Canterbury.
