Christchurch

@Tony's

Good Japanese teppanyaki with special all-you-can-eat deals Su-Th ($42).

Mon-Fri noon–2:30PM, Mon-Wed 5:30–10PM, Thu-Sat 5:30PM–1AM, Sun 5:30–9PM·Mains around $30, set menus $56

Addington Coffee Co-Op

Sells fair trade coffee and clothing in a lively atmosphere. Also has a laundry.

Mon–Fri 7:30AM–4PM, Sat Sun 9AM–4PM·Brunch dishes $9–22

Afghan Restaurant

AFG

A rustic place that offers tasty chicken or lamb cooked over an open flame grill, served with rice and salad. A chicken curry is usually available too. Large portions, and you can takeout any leftovers. There is no menu and no toilet on site.

Daily 5:30-9PM·$20

Aha Wildlife Bakery

Wildlife themed bakery shop - bakes delicious animal-shaped bread and cookies fresh on the market. Try a kiwi, have a whale - and enjoy the artwork on the walls!

Daily 7AM-6PM·$10

Air Force Museum

Opened in 1987 before the closure of the Christchurch RNZAF base, this museum has full-size replicas of fighting planes and dramatizes the history of New Zealand's Air Force from World War I to Vietnam and beyond.

Daily 10AM–5PM·Free

Antigua Boatsheds

Boat hire from historic British boatsheds for a hands-on water experience.

Daily; summer 9:30AM-5:30PM, winter 9:30AM-5PM·$12/hr canoe, $25/half-hr rowboat, $25/half-hr paddle boat

Arts Centre

Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. This area was damaged during the 22 Feb 2011 earthquake. By late 2022 reconstruction work was mostly complete, with two buildings still to be restored. The beauty and historical significance of these building can be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Blvd and Hereford St, or from the internal courtyard. Four art galleries, the Great Hall (and the courtyard outside) and Rutherford's Den (donation requested), an exhibition on physics, are open. If you want to stay, the Observatory Hotel has 33 upmarket rooms. There is also a cinema (Lumière Cinemas) located here showing art-house films. To access spaces not accessible to the public, join the 90 minutes guided walk tour from Wednesday to Sunday (summer hours: 11AM–12:30PM & 1-2:30PM, $30 per adult and $15 per child (12–18 years)).

Centre entry free

Ashe Gallery

Ashe Art & Design

A boutique art gallery and design store showcasing contemporary New Zealand art, homeware, and unique gifts. They also offer interior design services and feature works from local New Zealand artists.

Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-3PM

Ballantynes

This major upmarket department store has been through its fair share of disasters – as well as the earthquakes of the 2010s, in 1947 the store was gutted by the deadliest fire in New Zealand history, with 41 deaths.

Mon–Fri 9AM–5:30PM, Sat 9AM–5PM, Sun 10AM–5PM

Bridge of Remembrance

A memorial to those lost in World War I and subsequent conflicts. A memorial arch was added to an existing bridge over the River Avon in 1923-24. The arch was damaged in the 2011 quake and reopened after repairs on Anzac Day 2016. The bridge is open all the time to walk across, but has been closed to vehicles since 1976.

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

Dedicated to those who died or were injured in the 22 February 2011 earthquake. It is beside the Avon River, immediately downstream from Montreal St and upstream from Rhododendron Island in the Avon.

Canterbury Museum

Includes colonial, Māori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. Closed until mid-2029 for rebuilding. A small selection of exhibits is on shown in the CoCA gallery at 66 Gloucester Street (daily 9AM-5PM), near the Art Gallery.

free

Cardboard Cathedral

Transitional Cathedral

Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, well known for his use of cardboard elements in buildings. Completed in August 2013 to serve as the transitional Anglican cathedral since ChristChurch Cathedral was damaged in an earthquake in 2011. Unfortunately the original Christchurch Cathedral still has not finished its repair in 2025 so this Transitional Cathedral served and will serve a longer term for Christians in Christchurch. It is built on the site of St Johns church, which was demolished after being severely damaged in the 2011 quake.

Christ's College

80-minute tours of the independent (fee-paying) boarding school. The school was established in 1850 and follows the English public school model. The school has about 650 boys who wear a black and white striped blazer. Tour tickets can be bought from the i-Site.

Oc–Apr: Mon-Fri 10AM·$20

ChristChurch Cathedral

The Gothic revival cathedral was consecrated in 1881 as the seat of the Christchurch Anglican diocese. Damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the cathedral sat largely untouched for years due to debate over what should be done with it. Removal of rubble commenced in late 2018 and rebuilding work is expected to take 10 years.

Christchurch Adventure Park

Very good mountain biking trails for advanced, intermediate and beginner bikers, and also zip-lines. Take the chairlift up then bike down. There are bike and gear rentals, lessons and skills clinics, and a cafe and bar. There are charges for the chairlift, rather than the biking as such – you can take the uphill trail for free.

Christchurch Art Gallery

Spectacular $47-million facility opened in 2003, the largest in the South Island, with over 5000 items and visiting exhibitions. The gallery reopened in Dec 2015, after 5 years of being a Civil Defence Centre and then repairs. You can store your suitcase at the reception, so it is a nice place to go in the morning if you are leaving in the afternoon.

Thu-Tue 10AM-5PM, Wed 10AM-9PM·Usually free

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

30 hectares of exotic and indigenous plants and trees wrapped in a loop of the picturesque Avon River and linking to the 160-hectare Hagley Park. These put the "Garden" in the "Garden City", and the combined total with Hagley Park makes them the second largest inner city park in the world (after New York's Central Park). A new visitor centre and cafe opened in 2014.

Gates open 7AM until one hour before sunset, conservatories 10:15AM–4PM. Information centre open 10:15AM–4PM daily summer, 11AM-3PM winter·Free

Christchurch Casino

Dress code (jeans now allowed). You get a free meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) if it is your birthday (booking essential).

Daily except Good Fri, 25 Apr, 25 Dec

Christchurch Farmers' Market

Meet the growers, farmers, brewers and other artisan producers. A lively affair in the grounds of Riccarton House.

Sat 9AM–noon

Christchurch Gondola

Ride in an enclosed gondola car up to the summit of the Port Hills then view the Heritage Time Tunnel exhibit, take an outdoor nature walk, visit the cafe and shop. The trip takes 10 min but it is recommended to allow an hour all up. An hourly shuttle bus with the sign "Gondola" runs from 9:30AM-4PM in summer from Cathedral Square (beside Tram Stop 2). The shuttle bus costs $6 one way, and you can buy tickets in advance at Tram Stop 1 in Cathedral Junction (no dates on the ticket thus can be used anytime) or from the bus driver directly. Alternatively, you can take #8 public bus from Bus Interchange.

summer 10AM-5PM, winter 10AM-4PM, 26 Dec–31 Jan 9AM–6PM·Adult $42, child (5-15 years) $22, family (2 adults and up to 3 children) $117, passenger & own mountain bike $30, or with mountain bike hire $70. Discount of 10% when booking online 7 days in advance. $5 discount when buying together with Tram one day pass

Dux Dine

Pescatarian restaurant with lovely garden seating, the pizzas are good value to share, and the salads are fantastic. Also serves their craft beers including alcoholic ginger beer. One half of the erstwhile Dux de Lux in Hereford St.

Mains $19 (pizza) – $35 (salmon)

Ferrymead Heritage Park

Ferrymead History Park

A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage (daily), tram (weekends and school/public holidays) and train (first and third Sunday) rides. Not all attractions run at all times, due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing the park. Special events are often held and the park has been used to film the TV One reality show Colonial House. Admission price is based on whether trams/trains are operating or not, and include unlimited rides if available.

10AM–4:30PM daily·Train & tram days, adult $30, student $25, child $15; tram, no train, days, adult $20, student $15, child $10

Fresh Choice

The most central supermarket, but also the smallest, and not the cheapest.

Hagley Oval

With a capacity of 9000, it hosts Test matches, plus Canterbury Knights men's and Magicians women's teams.

Holy Smoke

Deli specialising in food that has been manuka-smoked in house. The smoked salmon alone is well worth the trip. (No longer has a restaurant.)

Tue-Sat 9AM–3PM

International Antarctic Centre

A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, café and gift shop.

1 Oct–30 Apr: daily 9AM–7PM; 1 May–30 Sep: daily 9AM–5:30PM·$55, $36 child. Unlimited Hagglund all day rides $20, Penguin Backstage Pass $20, $15 child

New Regent Street

A beautiful street of terraced Spanish Mission-style speciality shops that opened in 1932 and have reopened since the quake. The tram runs along the street.

No. 4

Bar and restaurant. Relaxed during the day and busy (but not too busy) on weekend nights. Great wines, Monteiths beers and a solid menu.

Pint of beer $10, mains $25–44

Northlands Shopping Centre

135 stores over 42,000 m2, including Woolworths, Farmers, Hoyts cinemas, Pak'nSave and The Warehouse.

Mon–Wed Sat 9AM-6PM, Thu Fri 9AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-6PM