Things to do in Christchurch

We are often asked what there is to do in Christchurch. It depends on what you like to do but here are a few personal suggestions of things we like.

In Christchurch

Park in the car park beside the botanical gardens then walk through the botanical gardens to the museum, Art Centre ( arts and craft market on Saturday & Sunday) Art Gallery Avon River and Cathedral Square (the information centre is in the Square)

Drive out to Sumner (a seaside suburb) for a swim or a coffee and perhaps drive over the hill to Taylor's Mistake (a small sheltered beach). Come back via the summit road in the late afternoon for views over Christchurch to the Alps in the far distance.

And for day trips

1.Akaroa one and half hours over the hills of Banks Peninsular.

Akaroa is a small picturesque village originally settled by the French. Lots of old cottages with lovely gardens.. Take a boat trip out to heads of the harbour to see seals and the rare hectors dolphins and perhaps swim with the Dolphins. Call in at the Barry's Bay cheese factory on the way home.

2.Arthur's Pass one and half hours drive west of Christchurch.

This National Park area is a great place to experience our native bush (forest)and the mountains. The are a number of short walks including the Devils Punchbowl or Bridal Veil Falls. Between November and February the Dobson nature walk is a great place to see many of New Zealand's alpine flowers just a few metres from the road.

3.Hanmer Springs one and half hours drive north of Christchurch

Famous for it's thermal pools, Hanmer also has forest walks with lovely autumn colours in April to May and if you have a craving for an adrenalin rush there are jet boats raftingand bungy jumping. The drive to Hanmer takes you through the wineries of the Waipara and lunch and a little tasting at Pegasus Bay or Waipara Springs winery is a very enjoyable experience

Finally we have had guests who have had great plans to travel far and wide and then just spent the day in our garden. In May the nerines are flowering