Tours

Listed are a number of attractions and historic areas which can be incorporated into your tour:

Port Hills

Photo by Benjamin Humphrey

If you have just disembarked from a cruise liner you can view the city from the Port Hills and take in the majestic splendors of the Southern Alps.

Garden City Tours: Botanic Gardens

Photo by robertpaulyoung

The Botanic Gardens include:

• Monavale Historic Homestead
• The Avon River (punting available)
• Rose Gardens and Woodlands
• The Sanitarium Garden

Wine Trails

Waipara Valley is 45 minutes north of Christchurch and is one of the premier cool climate wine growing areas in the country. Winery tours are available; these include wine growing commentaries and lunch at the vineyard.

www.waiparawine.co.nz

Canterbury Museum

Canterbury Museum is open every day except Christmas day.

Summer hours (October to March ) 9am- 5.30-pm
Winter Months (April to September) 9am- 5pm

www.canterburymuseum.com

Tamaki Heritage Village

The award winning Tamaki Maori Village operates every evening except Christmas Day.

This innovative attraction offers the unique experience of historical re enactments of Maori at the landing of Captain Cook.

www.globalstorytellers.com

Willowbank

Willowbank features a re-creation of a traditional Maori Pa. Performances include Hakas, and Poi dances. Customers can also view the Kiwi, Kea and Tuatara in their natural habitats and enjoy eating a traditionally cooked hangi.

www.willowbank.co.nz

Antarctic Centre

Photo by cianc

Penguins, Snow and Ice!

Explore the Antarctic Center, a building packed full of informative displays showcasing modern day Antarctica. The gallery area encourages touching of most of the exhibits to ensure visitors experience Antarctica in a fun and interactive way. The Antarctic Center aquarium also displays some actual specimens from the Antarctic Ocean floor in McMurdo Sound.

Visitors conclude their Antarctic journey with a 14 minute sound and light show. This majestic audio visual show captivates the audience and leaves visitors with a moving experience of 'having been there'.

www.iceberg.co.nz

Orana Park

Photo by kriskaer

Set in 80 hectares of park-like grounds, Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand's only open range zoo. We offer a range of exciting animal encounters on a daily basis. The Park is located within ten minutes drive of Christchurch International Airport and 25 minutes drive from the City Centre.

The Park has been developed as an open range sanctuary for endangered animals, providing them with enclosures as close to their natural habitat as possible. Streams, moats and banks are used as barriers to allow visitors the opportunity to see the animals in a natural manner. Come and see over 400 animals from 70 different species!

www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz

Christchurch Gondola & Time Tunnel

Photo by cleopold73

The Christchurch Gondolas are located in the Heathcote Valley, just fifteen minutes from the heart of Christchurch city. As you travel up the gondola you will have the opportunity to take in the spectacular panoramic 360-degree views which include Christchurch city, Lyttelton Harbour, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury Plains and the distant peaks of the Southern Alps.

There is plenty to do at the summit complex including the Heritage Time Tunnel, Nature Walkways and Mountain Biking, Pinnacle & Summit Cafe and the retail shop which offers a wide range of quality retail items.

The NEW Time Tunnel Ride Experience is now open!

Sit and relax in one of our purpose built four person vehicles and embark on a six minute interactive journey to learn about the geological evolution and history of Christchurch & Canterbury - a voyage spanning over 12 million years!

A young narrator guides visitors through the exhibit which includes a journey into the smoldering depths of a volcano, a short voyage onboard a large sailing ship and a ride through the early settlements of Lyttelton and Christchurch. The journey concludes with a tribute to many famous Cantabrians who helped shape and mould our wonderful region.

Riccarton House

Riccarton House & Bush is a heritage site located in the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton just 3.5 km from the city centre. Covering almost 12 hectares, our visitor attraction consists of two historic buildings set in parkland and gardens bordered by the River Avon and a native forest reserve containing Kahikatea trees up to 600 years old.

Our site, known to local Maori as 'Putaringamotu' - the place of an echo, was home to Canterbury's pioneering Deans family, the first Europeans to settle on the Plains in 1843.The family's dramatic story of endurance and tragedy; of dreams, love and promises is woven throughout the site and becomes part of your experience.

Join a guided tour of Riccarton House, visit Deans Cottage and enjoy a tranquil walk through the bush or stroll in the park grounds before joining us for morning/afternoon tea, lunch and superb coffee in our Drawing Room restaurant or outside rose garden courtyard.

www.riccartonhouse.co.nz

Arts Center

Photo by jeaneeem

The Arts Centre of Christchurch is a vibrant and exciting venue for a huge range of New Zealand made art and crafts, shopping, education and entertainment. There truly is something for everyone, with highlights including over 40 specialty shops, fine art galleries, world-class theatre, art house cinemas, bars, restaurants and cafes, a bustling weekend Art, Craft and Produce Market, and an array of festivals and special events throughout the year. Once the site of the University of Canterbury, these distinctive Gothic Revival buildings are today a maze of fun, wonder and delight, and form part of our award-winning tourism attraction.

Arts Centre Information open daily 9.30am - 5pm, 7 days
Free guided tours available 10am - 3.30pm, 7 days

www.artscentre.org.nz

Kaikoura

Photo by strangeones

Kaikoura is fascinating. Remnants of the Maori and European settlement of the area and Kaikoura's whaling history can still be seen today by visiting the Kaikoura Museum and the historic Fyffe House. Tours are also available. Conducted by Kaikoura Maori guides, they focus on Kaikoura's Maori history and culture.

The town is also home to numerous artists and craftspeople, all of whom creatively incorporate local flavour into their designs. Wonderful local products can be seen in several galleries in and around the town, including gold gilding, pottery, paintings and prints, jewelry, wood turning, knitted garments and much more. Join the Art Trail starting at the Visitors Centre and see the artists at work.

www.kaikoura.co.nz

Akaroa

Photo by robertpaulyoung

Just 75 kilometers from the City of Christchurch, Akaroa is a historic French and British Settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, craft stores and cafes, relax in the sun at French Bay or find a secluded beach of your own in one of the neighboring bays. If you want to get out on the ocean, take one of a variety of cruises which explore the stunning wildlife and Hector dolphins.

The Christchurch Art Gallery

Photo by Mark Pilbeam

The largest art institution in the South Island, the Gallery replaces the Robert McDougall Art Gallery (est. 1932) as the home of one of New Zealand's most important public art collections.

With a delightful cafe where you can relax after discovering the wealth of art Christchurch has to offer, the Christchurch Art Gallery is a 'must see' attraction.

www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Sign of the Takahe

Photo by jeaneeem

Located high on the Cashmere Hills with unsurpassed views over Christchurch City, the Canterbury Plains and out to the Southern Alps beyond, Sign of the Takahe is a historical building of national significance.

www.signofthetakahe.co.nz

Christchurch Tramway

Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram and step back in time to a grand era of transport. The Christchurch Tram is a unique, elegant and environmentally friendly way to see the city. Allow us to take you around the ‘must-see’ central attractions − jump on and off as you please or sit back and relax while the tram circum-navigates the inner city. This quality experience combines the heritage of the trams and historic buildings with the culture of the Garden City.

Punting on the Avon

Come aboard a classic punt at either the historic Antigua Boatshed landing or at the Worcester Street Bridge landing site. Enjoy an authentic Edwardian punt ride along the Avon River. Punting on the Avon has been one of Christchurch’s icon attractions since 1986.