Travelling to Christchurch: What you need to know

Flights

Getting to Christchurch is easy with frequent connections to all the major cities and tourist hotspots of New Zealand such as Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Queenstown and also numerous regional destinations. Two airlines operate the bulk of domestic routes out of Christchurch with Air New Zealand being the biggest ahead Jetstar who also operate services. Several smaller regional focused carriers also operate. When flying from elsewhere in NZ expect travel time to generally be under 1.5 hours.

If coming from abroad getting to Christchurch is a breeze with Christchurch International Airport considered the main international gateway to the South Island. There are several daily departures to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney with flying time of around 3-4 hours depending on the direction. Beyond Australia a small selection of flights are also available to Asia but for the most part international medium to long haul flights instead arrive at Auckland International Airport so a transit may be required to get to Christchurch.

Luckily it is possible to get to Christchurch from anywhere in New Zealand via the InterIslander or Blueridge Ferry service which crosses the cook strait connecting the North and South Islands. This is a great option for travelers also visiting the North Island whereby you can can catch the ferry from Wellington before arriving in Picton. After arriving at Picton it is an approximately 4.5 hour or 335km journey down to Christchurch. Allow for a lengthy full day of travel if originating in Wellington. Alternatively if coming from Queenstown expect a 5 hour 45 minute (480km) drive or from Dunedin a 4 hour 30minute (360km) drive.

Accommodation

It is no surprise due being the South Island’s largest city Christchurch attracts a lot of business and leisure travel and therefore there is a good variety of quality accommodation options that cater to a wide range of traveler clientele. Prices do tend to be on the higher side although there is a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes.

In Christchurch there are numerous hostels both independent and through chain or franchise networks catering towards budget travelers. Expect to pay from $30-$50 per night for an established hostel. There are also numerous budget hotels and motels and also university accommodation which may offer short stay arrangements with prices usually starting from around $100 per night. Several holiday parks are also available in Christchurch and even more along its outskirts for those touring by road and perhaps camping or caravanning. Plenty of the mid range and high end hotel chains are also present all up to the most luxurious of properties. Whilst prices tend to be on the higher side than elsewhere in New Zealand good specials can still be had when booking in advance or during off peak periods.

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Weather

Christchurch’s climate tends to be rather temperate with cold winters and pleasantly mild to warm summers. In winter expect cold days with maximums around 10 degrees with frequent frosts and the occasional snowfall whilst in summer expect maximums around 22 degrees with numerous long sunny days. Compared to elsewhere in New Zealand the city has a relatively dry climate with only around 600ml of rainfall a year evenly scattered across the year. We’d recommend bringing a jacket anytime of the year as it can still be cool in Christchurch especially in nearby alpine areas even in summer.

How to get around

Getting around to Christchurch’s top attractions is a breeze with all the major tourist sights and cultural institutions within easy walking distance of all the main accomodation options in the CBD. For journeys into the suburbs, Christchurch’s public transport operator Metro operates a reliable network of buses making it possible to visit places such as Lyllyeton and some of the beachside suburbs . If wanting to visit the Banks Peninsula you’ll most likely either have to book a day trip or use your own hire car.

Recommend 3 Day Christchurch Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring central Christchurch

Start your Christchurch short stay with a walk through City Mall in the heart of the city where you’ll see numerous shops and restaurants. It is also worth having a look at the famous Christchurch Cathedral which was heavily damaged during the devasting 2011 earthquake which rocked the city and is currently undergoing a lengthy restoration to its former grandeur.

Visit the Christchurch Botanical Gardens

A visit to Christchurch’s Botanical Gardens is well worth putting on the to-do list for any visit to Christchurch. Founded in 1863 and sprawling over 52 acres the park offers a variety of collections of exotic and local plants of New Zealand, several conservatories, a nursery, playground and Climatological Station. Especially on a summer day visiting the gardens is a very popular pastime for the locals.

Take a stroll along the Avon River

Any visit to Christchurch wouldn’t be complete without a stroll along the lovely Avon River which runs through the heart of the city. For those wishing to enjoy the experience a little more it is possible to go punting on the river with 30 minute tours departing from the ends of the historic Antigua Boat Sheds in the central city.

Canterbury Museum and Quake City

Canterbury Museum is one of Christchurch’s most popular attractions, located in the central city next to the Botanic Gardens. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts related to the natural and cultural history of Canterbury and wider New Zealand and also a considerable collection on the city’s ties Antarctic exploration. Entry is free.

A visit to Quake City is a must to understand the seismic events that shook Christchurch and the Canterbury region more than a decade ago. The museum is located in a separate building nearby and is operated by the Canterbury Museum. Entry is $20 for adults and free for children under 15 accompanied by an adult.

Day 2: Take a day trip out to the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa Harbour

If in the position of having a car or the time to take a day tour a trip out to the nearby Banks Peninsula and Akaroa Harbour should be considered a great side trip to your time in Christchurch. The peninsula is the South Island’s most interesting volcanic feature having originally been an island formed by two volcanic cones. The peninsula now has two dominant craters which form Lyttleton and Akaroa Harbours. A visits to beautiful Akaroa Harbour and the charming township of Akaroa also provides for a unique experience as the only French settlement in New Zealand.

Day 3: Visit Christchurch’s coastal areas and learn about its Antartic operations

Lyttleton

Located just 20 minutes from central Christchurch the portside town of Lyttleton is steeped in history as it was the first place for European settlement in the region in 1850. Today the town which is effectively apart of Christchurch’s metropolitan area is assessed through an impressive road tunnel which cuts through the towering Port Hills and is home to a community of nearly 3,000, brimming with bohemian artists, cafés, quirky shops and restaurants. It is well worth spending half a day here especially on a sunny day.

Take in Christchurch’s Beaches

Whilst Christchurch’s weather doesn’t mean there will be many days to go swimming for the average person it doesn’t mean Christchurch’s beaches are not worth checking out nonetheless! Christchurch has quite an array of different beaches some are located in protected bays whilst others have more expansive outlooks with the towering hills behind them. Popular local hotspots include Summer Beach, Scarborough Beach, Taylors Mistake and New Brighton Beach.

Visit the International Antarctic Centre

A visit to the International Antarctic Centre is well worth taking especially for anyone with an interest in Antarctic expeditions and the huge role the city of Christchurch pays as one of the main Antarctic transit points for New Zealand, European and the United States Antarctic research divisions. Conveniently the center is located right across the road from the airport where it is not uncommon to see USAF C-17 Globe Masters and other Antarctica bound aircraft on the tarmac. We highly recommending visiting the center before or after a flight into Christchurch and they store luggage free of charge. Admission costs costs $49 for adults and $29 for children.

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