How many days · Christchurch · New Zealand
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tzuhsun Hsu, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Christchurch, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Botanic Gardens, punting, the Art Gallery, the rebuilt centre and the gondola or the Antarctic Centre. A third day allows Akaroa or Lyttelton; with five days add Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs or the TranzAlpine to Arthur's Pass.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9 h (Jun) to 15.4 h (Dec)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Transitional Cathedral |
| 2 days | Good | Transitional Cathedral, Christchurch Gondola and International Antarctic Centre |
| 3 days | Ideal | Orana Wildlife Park, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and Riverside Market |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Akaroa |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Akaroa and Hanmer Springs |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Christchurch add up to roughly 16–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Orana Wildlife Park (Half a day), International Antarctic Centre (2–3 hours) and Christchurch Botanic Gardens (1.5–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Christchurch Botanic Gardens | 1.5–2 hours | Central City |
| Punting on the Avon | 30 minutes | Central City |
| Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū | 1.5 hours | Central City |
| Transitional Cathedral | 30 minutes | Central City |
| Christchurch Gondola | 1.5 hours | Port Hills |
| International Antarctic Centre | 2–3 hours | Christchurch Airport |
| Orana Wildlife Park | Half a day | McLeans Island |
| Willowbank Wildlife Reserve | 2 hours | Northwood |
| Riverside Market | 1 hour | Central City |
| New Regent Street and the heritage tram | 30–60 minutes | Central City |
| Tūranga central library | 45 minutes | Central City |
| Margaret Mahy Family Playground | 1–2 hours | Central City |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Punting on the Avon |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Margaret Mahy Family Playground |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Akaroa and Hanmer Springs |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 9 hours of daylight) than in December (about 15.4 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Christchurch with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington | About 305 km | 3 days |
| Queenstown | About 357 km | 5 days |
| Auckland | About 765 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Christchurch?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Botanic Gardens, punting, the Art Gallery, the rebuilt centre and the gondola or the Antarctic Centre. A third day allows Akaroa or Lyttelton; with five days add Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs or the TranzAlpine to Arthur's Pass.
+Is a week too long in Christchurch?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Akaroa and Hanmer Springs.