48 HOURS IN CHRISTCHURCH
Are you ready to explore the charming city of Christchurch, New Zealand? This beautiful destination offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and history, making it a must-visit for travellers.
In this post, I’ve put together a two-day itinerary that will take you on a journey through the city's most iconic landmarks and breathtaking scenery. From visiting the famous botanic gardens to enjoying the stunning views of the Gondola, this itinerary is sure to give you an idea about what to expect to this lively city. So pack your bag and be ready to kick start an incredible adventure in Christchurch (and on the South Island of New Zealand).
Arriving
The International Airport in Christchurch receives direct flights from various international destinations. These include Australia, China, Singapore and Fiji. After arriving to the airport you have several options to reach the city centre, the cheapest option would be taking the bus, which would cost you NZD$ 8.50 and the ride takes around 30 minutes. The bus terminal is a minute away from the exit of the airport, right next to the Novotel Hotel.
Important to note, that you will need to buy your ticket from the driver with cash, so it’s wise to get some from the ATM just before you exit the terminal.
I would recommend renting a car when you leave the city because in my experience you can reach everything on foot or by public transport.
Itinerary
Without further ado let’s jump straight into the activities you can do around Christchurch.
Day 1 - Christchurch Gondola
The Christchurch Gondola is a popular attraction that offers jaw dropping views over Christchurch and the surroundings. You can easily reach the bottom station with public transport (taking the 28 bus lane), which will take you around 30 minutes, but there is also car parking available right next to the station.
As you arrive you have the option to purchase a return ticket or just one way. I would recommend purchasing only one way(more on this later). The gondola ride will take approximately 10 minutes, but it will feel like 2 seconds. As soon as you leave the station the views will start to get better and better…
After arriving to the summit of Mt. Cavendish the station offers stunning 360’ panorama. Get a coffee or take a short walk around the station to get a glimpse of what the area can offer. From here on one side you will see Lyttelton Harbour and its turquoise coloured bay and on the other you will get to see a part of Christchurch and the Pacific Ocean.
If you are looking for a longer walk (and you should), then I have the perfect walk for you:
Bridle Path and Crater Rim Walkway
Alright, so as you only have a few hours tops around this beautiful place I would recommend mixing several trails together to get the most out of it.
After you have arrived to the Gondola’s Summit Station and walked around for the 360’ views it’s time to explore a bit more. As you exit the café and get down on the staircase you will see the Pacific Ocean in the distance and there will be a path on your right. That’s a part of the Crater Rim Walkway. If you start from the station first you will descend and as you reach Summit Road you will start to see the signs, which will direct you to the WWII gun emplacements. It has some fairly steep parts, but nothing too serious and there are gorgeous views along the way so don’t worry if you need to stop to catch your breath. As you get to the gun emplacements you will see the whole harbour, the entrance to it and it’s a perfect opportunity to take some photos from the Gondola Station too.
Once that’s done you can head back the way you came but this time at the Summit Road intersection follow the signs for Evans Pass, this will be a narrower path which offers stunning views over the Lyttelton harbour. You will pass the gondola station and soon you will join into the Bridle Path. From here you have the option of either going down to Lyttelton or to the bottom station.
The Bridle Path starts from the bottom station car park and takes you up towards the summit, the trail is pretty steep so that’s why I would recommend taking the gondola up and then walk down on the path. Public transport is available between Lyttelton and the bottom station in case you decide to go down that way.
Summit Station -» Gun emplacements - 30 mins.
Gun emplacements -» Bottom Station - 1,5 - 2 hours
Day 2 - Exploring the city
On the second day I would recommend taking it slow and staying in the city. Don’t worry there are plenty of things to do and the best part? You can reach everything on foot.
1, Riverside Market
Deep in Christchurch CBD you will find the Riverside Market, a fresh farmers’ market, which is open 7 days a week. You can literally find anything here, from coffee shops to vegetable stands. It’s the perfect place to stop by for a quick brunch before taking in all the sights this city can offer.
It’s almost impossible not to find anything that you like, the little stands have offerings from all around the world.
2, Botanic Gardens
This tranquil haven boasts a stunning array of flowers, trees and a picturesque lake that make for perfect photo opportunities. You can literally walk around here for hours without realising it. Visit the Antigua Boat Sheds and explore the Avon river and a part of the gardens on a rental boat or sit down on the river shore and watch the ducks.
3, New Regent Street
Have you ever experienced trams passing by centimetres away from you? If not, New Regent Street is the perfect place for it. This charming street features a row of brightly colored Spanish Mission-style buildings, making it one of the city's most picturesque and unique destinations.
New Regent Street is home to a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, offering visitors a chance to explore the street's unique architecture and history. Many of the buildings on the street have been restored to their original 1920s appearance, making it a popular spot for photographers and history enthusiasts.
Optional: New Brighton Pier
New Brighton Pier is a little bit outside of the city but I have seen some incredible pictures with colourful skies on Instagram. When I was visiting it was overclouded, which took away from the experience. But if you have some extra time in Christchurch then it can be an excellent choice for a nice sunset.
