Exploring Christchurch A First-Timer’s Guide

If you are looking for the absolute best things to do while exploring Christchurch, New Zealand, this travel guide covers the top city attractions, coastal escapes, and hidden gems.  Before meeting up with a good friend, I had a few days entirely to myself to explore the Canterbury region. I decided to fully embrace the role of a tourist to see how this resilient city has reshaped its landscape since the 2011 earthquake. From historic river cruises to vibrant open-air street art, here is my curated weekend itinerary in the Garden City.

Exploring Christchurch Guide

Punting on the Avon

Stepping onto the flat-bottomed boat felt like stepping back in time. My guide was dressed in traditional Edwardian clothing, complete with a boater hat, instantly setting a relaxed, old-world mood. We glided away from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds on Cambridge Terrace. The water was incredibly still, and the only sound was the gentle splash of the pole meeting the riverbed. As we drifted through the heart of the Botanic Gardens, looking up at the weeping willows from the water level was pure magic. It was the perfect, peaceful welcome to the city.

Quick Tips for Punting on the Avon

• Booking Details: You can purchase tickets directly through Christchurch Attractions. It is highly recommended to book a time slot in advance during summer.
• Prices: Tickets are around NZ$45 per adult. Children aged 5–15 are NZ$20, and infants under 5 ride free.
• Hours & Location: Tours operate daily from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. They depart year-round from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds on Cambridge Terrace.
• Time Allocation: Set aside 30 minutes for the standard shared river cruise itself.

Hop On Hop off Tram

I decided to catch the historic Hop-On Hop-Off Tram to get my bearings around the inner city. I love these trams because you can stay on for a full loop to listen to the commentary, or use them as your personal chauffeur to the best spots.I found myself hopping off constantly! I spent a lovely couple of hours exploring the stunning architecture of The Arts Centre and wandering past the Ferrier Fountain. I also made sure to walk past the main Cathedral. Looking at it always makes me emotional. I remember taking a photo of it back in 2016 before the major restoration work began, and today, it is tightly secured and harder to photograph, but seeing the ongoing work feels like a symbol of the city’s spirit.

 Quick Tips for the Tram:

• Booking Details: Buy an all-day pass online via Christchurch Attractions. You can also purchase your pass right from the tram drivers or hosts using a card.
• Prices: An all-day hop-on hop-off ticket costs NZ$42 per adult. Up to three children can ride free with each paying adult.
• Hours & Frequency: Trams run daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter, extending until 6:00 PM in summer. A tram rattles past each of the 18 stops roughly every 10 to 20 minutes.
• Best Photo Spot: Make sure to hop off at New Regent Street. The pastel, Spanish Mission-style buildings are incredibly picturesque.

Hunting for Street Art and Murals

One of the most joyful surprises of walking around the central city was the explosion of colour on almost every corner. Christchurch has truly transformed its blank spaces into an open-air art gallery. I found myself constantly stopping to marvel at massive, vibrant murals painted onto the sides of buildings. It gives the city such a youthful, creative heartbeat.

Quick Tips for the Street Art Walk

• Booking & Prices: This activity is 100% free and completely self-guided!
• Navigation: Use the online interactive Watch This Space map to look up mural locations. It guides you down side alleys and reveals the hidden stories behind each artist’s work.
• Time Allocation: Give yourself roughly 1 to 2 hours to wander at a slow pace through the central business district.

The Gondola

To see the city from a completely new angle, I headed out to the Christchurch Gondola. This was pure fun and a total must-do! As the cable car lifted me higher and higher, the view opened up into a spectacular 360-degree panorama. From the summit, I could see the urban grid of the city on one side, the dramatic blue waters of Lyttelton Harbour on the other, and far off in the distance, the majestic, snowy peaks of the Southern Alps. It is a fantastic, family-friendly experience that really puts the geography of Canterbury into perspective.

Quick Tips for the Christchurch Gondola

• Booking Details: Tickets can be bought online via Christchurch Attractions or at the base station ticket counter.
• Prices: Entry is NZ$45 per adult and NZ$22 per child (ages 5–15).
• Hours & Location: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The base station sits in Heathcote Valley, which is about a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
• Getting There: If you don’t have a car, you can pay for the dedicated Gondola Shuttle that leaves from Cathedral Square. Alternatively, public Bus #8 drops you right outside the gates.
• Weather Conditions: Always check the weather forecast before heading up. Clear days offer views stretching all the way to the Southern Alps, but high winds can occasionally cause temporary closures.

Hagley Park

Right in the  heart of the city lies Hagley Park, and goodness, it is spectacular. I visited during a stunning patch of weather, but honestly, I think this park would be breathtaking in any season—whether covered in spring blossoms or golden autumn leaves.I ended up losing track of time here. I spent hours just wandering along the winding walkways, listening to the birds, and admiring the beautifully manicured gardens. It feels like a massive, green sanctuary where the city goes to take a deep breath.

Quick Tips for Hagley Park & Botanic Gardens

• Prices & Hours: The park is completely free to enter and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
• What to Wear: Put on your most comfortable walking shoes! The perimeter is massive, and you will easily clock up thousands of steps without even realizing it.
• Time Allocation: Give yourself at least 2 hours to sit by the river, visit the conservatories, and wander through the native tree paths.

The Cardboard Cathedral

I made a special point to visit the Transitional Cathedral, famously known as the Cardboard Cathedral. It sounds a bit strange at first, doesn’t it? A church made of cardboard? But stepping inside completely changes your perspective.After the original cathedral was heavily damaged, this temporary structure was built using massive cardboard tubes, timber, and steel. It is light, airy, and incredibly beautiful. Standing inside, you can really feel the innovation and hope of the community.

Quick Tips for the Cardboard Cathedral

• Booking & Prices: Entry is free/by donation, and everyone is welcome to step inside to view the architecture.
• Hours: It is generally open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though hours can vary on Sundays or during private church services.
• What to Look For: Take a close look at the stunning triangular window at the front. It is made of gorgeous stained glass that projects beautiful colours across the cardboard tubes when the sun shines through.

New Brighton Pier

To finish off my tourist days, I needed a bit of sea air, so I headed to the coast. First, I stopped at the famous New Brighton Pier. Opened in 1997, this architectural beauty stretches over 300 metres out into the ocean! Walking right to the edge makes you feel like you are standing in the middle of the sea. The surrounding area is great too, with plenty of places to grab a drink, have dinner, or do a little shopping.

Afterwards, I drove over to Sumner Beach, which has an entirely different, relaxed beach-town vibe. It is incredibly popular with local families and surfers. I loved watching the waves crash against the sandy shore, exploring the cafes just across the road, and watching people take a dip in the ocean.

Quick Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Walk the New Brighton Pier right at sunrise or sunset. Watching the sun align perfectly between the massive concrete ocean pillars is magical.
• Sumner Vibe: Sumner Beach is perfect for a lazy afternoon. Grab a takeaway ice cream or coffee from a local cafe across the road and sit on the seawall to watch the local surfers catch waves.
• Transport: Both spots are a 15 to 20-minute drive east of the central city. There are plenty of free public car parks along the beachfront at both locations.

Opshopping While Exploring Christchurch

If you love to hunt for bargains in the form of opshopping as we call it in New Zealand, then check out the list in my Christchurch opshopping blog. There are 11 stores to visit and all feature on a map which makes for easy planning.

Video Highlights Exploring Christchurch

Final Word on Exploring Christchurch

While making the most of your time while you are exploring Christchurch make sure to check out Christchurch attractions as you may be able to get a discount if you book more than one activity.

If you have been to Christchurch what is your favourite part to visit? What would your recommend I visit next time?

Happy traveling