Christchurch

Botanic Gardens

No visit to ‘The Garden City' is complete without a trip to the Botanic Gardens. The finest exotic and indigenous plants anywhere in New Zealand with spectacular displays all year round. With specialist garden areas, a café and family spaces, the Botanic Gardens are a pivotal part of Christchurch and are not to be missed.

The Cathedral

Dominating the city centre the cathedral and its square reflect an attempt by early settlers to create an Anglican outpost. A climb of 134 steps will take you to a viewing platform on its spire, where wonderful views across the city are just reward for the effort. In the interior look out for the Maori panels of leather and wood celebrating a well-known Maori proverb.

Punting on the Avon River

Christchurch takes its name from a college at Oxford University and so it is no surprise that the city has the same air of an old university town. Just as in Oxford, punting along the river (the Avon River, punts from the Antigua Boat Sheds), is the classic and relaxing way to pass the time and see the city.

Tour the city on the Tramway

Hop onto one of Christchurch's heritage trams for a 2.5km tour of the city centre. The beautifully restored 1905 trams take in many of the famous buildings, streets and areas of interest, including Cathedral Square, The Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, and New Regent Street.

Ride the Christchurch Gondola

To enjoy a unique panoramic view over Christchurch take the gondola up to the summit of the extinct volcano that looks over the city. After a spectacular ride to the top the views are far and wide over the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps and Lyttelton Harbour. A café, restaurant and 3D interactive presentation on the history of the region are available at the summit.

International Antarctic Centre

Home to the American, Italian and New Zealand Antarctic programmes this popular, hands-on attraction offers an insight into life in the Cold Continent. Whilst visitors enjoy the snow and ice experience and try on Antarctic clothing, the scientists and explorers are busy in other areas of the centre planning expeditions and organising supply drops to their colleagues at the South Pole.