Outdoors · Christchurch · New Zealand
8 best outdoor things to do in Christchurch
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yvanyblog, Public domain
Quick answer
Start with Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon and Christchurch Gondola. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 14–18 hours across 6 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 14–18 hours
- Areas
- Central City, Port Hills and Christchurch Airport
Outdoors in Christchurch
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
Experience · Central City
2.Punting on the Avon
Choose a late-afternoon trip on a calm, sunny day; blankets are provided on cooler days.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Port Hills
3.Christchurch Gondola
Go on a clear morning for the best chance of seeing the Alps, and walk part of the Crater Rim track.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Museum · Christchurch Airport
4.International Antarctic Centre
Schedule it on your arrival or departure day, as it is a few minutes from the terminal.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Zoo · McLeans Island
5.Orana Wildlife Park
Plan your visit around the scheduled animal feeds and talks listed at the entrance.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Zoo · Northwood
6.Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Book an evening kiwi tour; the nocturnal birds are much easier to see then.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- After dark
Park · Central City
7.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 · New Brighton
8.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
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central City | Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon and Margaret Mahy Family Playground | 1.5–2 hours + 30 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Port Hills | Christchurch Gondola | 1.5 hours |
| Christchurch Airport | International Antarctic Centre | 2–3 hours |
| McLeans Island | Orana Wildlife Park | Half a day |
| Northwood | Willowbank Wildlife Reserve | 2 hours |
| New Brighton | New Brighton Pier and He Puna Taimoana | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 2 free, 1 low cost, 3 mid-priced, 2 expensive. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Orana Wildlife Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Central City): Christchurch Botanic Gardens → Punting on the Avon → Margaret Mahy Family Playground, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Port Hills and Christchurch Airport): Christchurch Gondola → International Antarctic Centre, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (McLeans Island): Orana Wildlife Park, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Northwood and New Brighton): Willowbank Wildlife Reserve → New Brighton Pier and He Puna Taimoana, at least 4 hours.
The best months to be outside
- February: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 6 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm and settled, with fewer crowds once school resumes; excellent for walks and beaches.
- January: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 7 rainy days, very busy crowds. Peak summer and holiday season, with long, warm days and busy beaches and gardens.
- March: highs of 20°C (68°F), about 7 rainy days, busy crowds. Mild, often sunny early autumn days and cooler nights; good for day trips.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Central City — The rebuilt core around Cathedral Square, Oxford Terrace and the Avon
More of Christchurch
All things to do in Christchurch · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Christchurch?
Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1863 inside a loop of the Avon River, the 21-hectare gardens include a heritage rose garden, a New Zealand plants section, glasshouses and some of the country's largest exotic trees.
+Which of these are free in Christchurch?
Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Margaret Mahy Family Playground.