Christchurch contains many of Canterbury's popular tourist attractions, including some of the best tourist attractions on the whole of New Zealand's South Island. There are always plenty of things to see and do around Christchurch and the surrounding city suburbs.With a host of walking / tramping trails nearby Christchurch, together with balloon flights, cruises around Christchurch's harbours and bays, and punting on the Avon River, other attractions here include theatres, coach tours, the enormous Jade Sports Stadium, and the famous Christchurch Gondola - a cable car offering spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains.
Tourists and visitors to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, will never need to look far to find many exceptional tourist attractions and activities.
Explorer Bus and Coach Tours
Address: Visitors' Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 354 0262
Christchurch's Explorer Bus and Coach Tours are a popular and easy way to do some serious sightseeing and include many of Christchurch's most impressive sights and popular tourist attractions. With interesting commentary from experienced guides, the Explorer Bus and Coach Tours travel to areas such as Lyttelton, the Port Hills and Sumner district of Christchurch.
Open: daily - from 09:00, 10:30 and 13:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens
Champagne Balloon FlightsBalloon Flights around Christchurch city centre are without doubt one of the most memorable ways to view the city and provide truly breathtaking panoramic views. With plenty of fine, sunny days and good weather conditions, balloon flights depart from parks in the very city centre early in the morning area and usually include champagne.
Open: most days - from around 05:00 to 07:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and families
Helicopters Tours
Helicopters tours of Christchurch are available at nearby Christchurch International Airport and also at Kaikoura Airport. Providing an extremely exciting way to view Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding countryside, some of the helicopter tours also provide an unusual way to observe the local sperm whales and dolphins.
Open: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, some discounts available
Punting on the Avon River
Punting in Christchurch has become extremely popular in many different areas and feels somehow very British. There are a number of popular punting firms in and around central Christchurch and punting is available on many areas of the Avon River, including nearby Mona Vale, Cambridge Terrace and near to Oxford Terrace. Guided punting tours are also popular in Christchurch.
Open: 09:00 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens
Cruises
Christchurch operates a variety of cruises around the city's south-eastern coastline, around Lyttelton Harbour, the nearby Banks Peninsula and the port towns of Akaroa and Kaikoura, which are all within easy driving distance of central Christchurch. Cruises around Christchurch and other areas of Canterbury are an excellent way to observe the native wildlife, such as rare Hector dolphins, penguins, fur seals and a host of sea birds. Many different Christchurch cruises operate in the area and these include lunchtime cruises with buffets, guided tour cruises with informative commentary and lively evening Christchurch cruises with dinner and dancing.
Open: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and families
Christchurch GondolaAddress: 10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8002, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 384 0700
The Christchurch Gondola has long been one of the major tourist attractions for visitors to the city and can be found to the south of Cathedral Square, around the Port Hills. With incredible, panoramic views of the city, the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains, the Christchurch Gondola is a small cable car which travels almost 1,000 metres / 3,280 feet up the Port Hills, where you will find a café, a gift shop and an observation deck.
Open: daily - 10:00 to late
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, student and senior citizens
Estuary of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers
Address: Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8008, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 382 1678
The Estuary of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers is situated in eastern Christchurch, close to the coastal Sumner district. This vast area is home to some of the city's most beautiful natural scenery and contains an enormous amount of local flora and fauna, with many waterfowl and wading birds. Other attractions around the Estuary of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers include windsurfing, cycle trails and walking / tramping routes.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Christchurch TramwayAddress: 7 Tramway Lane, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 366 7830
The extremely historic Christchurch Tramway is one of the city centre's main attractions and the trams have been lovingly restored over the years. Dating back to the late 19th century, the Christchurch Tramway is renowned for being the oldest working tramway in the whole world and travels approximately 2.5 km / 1.5 miles around central Christchurch, the Cathedral Square, the Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens.
Open: daily, November to March - 09:00 to 21:00, April to October - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children
Esplanade
Address: Scarborough Park, Sumner, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 379 9629
The Esplanade is located in the Sumner district of Christchurch and is a popular walkway in this area. Stretching along the coastline for just over one kilometre, the Esplanade provides scenic views of the seafront, Pegasus Bay and the surrounding areas.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Theatres
Christchurch has many exceptional theatres and entertainment venues, both situated in and around central Christchurch. Regularly hosting popular musical performances, theatrical events, comedy events, family shows, rock and classical concerts, ballets and operas, there are always plenty of things to see at Christchurch's theatres. The main theatres in the Christchurch area of New Zealand are as follows:
- Christchurch Operatic
Address: 11 Balfour Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 377 7954 - Court Theatre
Address: 20 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 379 5264 - Great Hall
Address: 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 363 2836 - James Hay Theatre
Address: Christchurch Townhall, 86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 377 8899 - Ngaio Marsh Theatre
Address: 90 Ilam Road, Ilam, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 3642 652 - Repertory Theatre
Address: 146 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 379 8866 - Theatre Royal
Address: 145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, 8001, New Zealand NZ
Tel: +64 (0)3 371 9452
