Free things to do · Christchurch · New Zealand
10 free things to do in Christchurch
Christchurch without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Christchurch without paying an entry fee: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Transitional Cathedral and New Regent Street and the heritage tram are all free. The Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, the Art Gallery, the Air Force Museum, Tūranga and the beaches are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–September
Free sights and experiences
Garden · Central City
1.Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Visit in spring for the daffodils and blossom in Hagley Park, or in April for autumn colour.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Gallery · Central City
2.Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Look for the large outdoor works around the building and nearby streets, part of the gallery's public art programme.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Central City
3.Transitional Cathedral
Visit when the sun is behind the coloured glass window in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Street · Central City
4.New Regent Street and the heritage tram
A tram ticket is a hop-on, hop-off pass for the day and comes with a driver's commentary.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
Architecture · Central City
5.Tūranga central library
Head to the upper levels for a view over Cathedral Square and the rebuilding cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Park · Central City
6.Margaret Mahy Family Playground
Bring a change of clothes for the water-play area in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Beach · Sumner
7.Sumner Beach and Cave Rock
Swim between the lifeguard flags in summer and climb Cave Rock at low tide.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
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Historic site · Riccarton
8.Riccarton House and Bush
Visit on a Saturday morning for the farmers' market, then walk the short forest loop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Nature
- Food
- Free
Museum · Wigram
9.Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Combine it with a rainy-day afternoon; it is about 15 minutes by car from the centre.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Free
- History
Nature · Port Hills
10.Port Hills walks and the Bridle Path
Walk up the Bridle Path and down to Lyttelton for lunch, then catch the bus back through the tunnel.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central City | Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Transitional Cathedral, New Regent Street and the heritage tram, Tūranga central library and Margaret Mahy Family Playground | 1.5–2 hours + 1.5 hours + 30 minutes + 30–60 minutes + 45 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Sumner | Sumner Beach and Cave Rock | 2 hours |
| Riccarton | Riccarton House and Bush | 1–2 hours |
| Wigram | Air Force Museum of New Zealand | 1.5–2 hours |
| Port Hills | Port Hills walks and the Bridle Path | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Market · Central City
Riverside Market
Come at lunchtime and pick from several stalls, then eat by the river on the Terrace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Beach · New Brighton
New Brighton Pier and He Puna Taimoana
Book a hot-pool session at sunset, then walk to the end of the pier.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Lyttelton
Lyttelton
Go on a Saturday morning for the market, then take the ferry to Diamond Harbour and back.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Views
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, the Art Gallery, the Air Force Museum, Tūranga and the beaches are free.
- Use a Metrocard rather than cash on buses, and take the Diamond Harbour ferry from Lyttelton as a low-cost harbour cruise.
- Motels with kitchens in Riccarton and Merivale let you cook from supermarkets and farmers' markets.
- Visit from May to September for lower accommodation prices, avoiding school holidays.
- Book hire cars and the TranzAlpine early for summer; prices rise sharply close to travel dates.
- Accommodation prices rise during Cup and Show Week in November and major events.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Christchurch expensive to visit?
Christchurch is expensive for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Christchurch?
Christchurch Botanic Gardens: Visit in spring for the daffodils and blossom in Hagley Park, or in April for autumn colour.