Christchurch > Christchurch Attractions

Advantages: Hands on Experience
Disadvantages: Bit out of the way - however, then no fun for the animals !

Brilliant..... Orana Park, set on 80 hectares of park like grounds is nearer to Christchurch Airport than the centre of town. It is about a 25 minute car journey from the city centre. Car Parking is available outside. A bike track (moutain biking) is opposite so another alternative is that you could hire a bike from town, cycle to Orana Park (be about an hours ride) and then have an hours ride round McCleans Island. A shuttle bus is available ...
...Cathedral Square). Anyway, Orana Park is one of the best I have ever visited. Check out; http://www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz $19 for adults, $7 for school age kids but $45 for family (2 adult and 3 kids). Can pay extra for a trip in the lion feeding truck - about $13 each for adults. Open from 10am till 5pm. Get there early so you can follow the feeding time schedule. This is an attraction that is under rated and not widely advertised. On ... Read review

Advantages: Great for families, an educational and fun experience
Disadvantages: Distance from the town centre, big groups of schoolchildren

The International Antartic Center is a must-visit attraction in Christchurch. Situated by the Airport, it IS quite a distance to travel if like me you dont have your own transport, but the aiport shuttle bus from the cathedral square DOES drop you right outside. It attracted me as it explores a relatively unknown world, in an informative yet exciting way. There are plenty of good price deals available (ask in the town centre visitor centre) and one ...
...the hagglund ride) is the best value to make a day of it. The indoor attractions include a very realistic 'Scott Base' with interactive exhibits and photography of the wild icy continent, a sound and light show that captures the loneliness of the antarctic, and the thrilling " Snow and Ice Experience" where you don big winter coats, hats, gloves and overshoes, and step into a manmade polar room, where you stand around feeling a bit of a wally as ... Read review

Advantages: Good cheap fun
Disadvantages: None

Ferrymead Historic Park is about a 15 minute drive from the centre of town or you can catch the bus. Car Park just outside the attraction. It is $12 to get in on weekends and public holiday which also includes a ride on the tram or train, (tram in operation when we went). This park is run by volunteers and a lot of the attractions are dependant on them. It was a public holiday when we went and it was pratically deserted which is a shame as it has ...
...clothing and are only too keen to give you a run down on the park and what happened in the olden days. We spent about 2 hours at the park. On arrival you are given a map which shows the historic buildings. You can go into old houses (well, old for New Zealand standards - 1930's) and see how they lived. Within the houses they also have puzzles i.e. can you see 3 different types of musical instruments and you would find a violin, a flute and a record ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant views.
Disadvantages: Make sure weather is nice before you go. Expensive.

...people and after being in Christchurch for a couple of days, quite amazed that we hadn't seen any sheep, that was until we had a ride up the gondola..... The gondola is a 945 mitre ride from the bottom of the port hills (very steep hill that the first settlers walked over on their arrival - i.e. had to get from the port to the flats). 500 meters above sea level. Take a trip to the crater rim of Christchurch famous extinct volcano. At the top you ...
...the clouds... Diamond Harbour/Governers Bay, etc. It's quite expensive to go up - $22 for an adult and $10 for school age kids (family pass - 2 adults and 3 kids $55). I do know at the centre of town they have an offer for a tram ride and gondola (tram ride about $12) and they do a bit of a discount, however, the tram didn't appeal to me. Expensive as at the top of the ride is a cafe (Summit cafe) which with the fare of the gondola is another expense ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful view from spire, interesting decor, great central location near other sites, free
Disadvantages: Quite busy

Christchurch is my favourite city in New Zealand. It is modern and happening, whilst still retaining a very refined and serene atmosphere, with its willow-banked river creeping through the city centre, benches in small gardens for people to pass time on, and lovely old buildings. The centrepiece of Christchurch would have to be its gothic-style cathedral. It is located in the attractively cobbled Cathedral Square, which is packed with people enjoying ...
...it is free to enter Christchurch cathedral, and there is only a small fee to climb the tower. I remember it being about 350-steps, so it is not too challenging, and even though the stairwell is snug to pass people climbing in the opposite direction it isn't too clostrophobic. It's all worth it anyway for the magnificent 360 degree view from the top, not only of the busy square, but over the roof tops to the Botanical Gardens, and the city suburbs. ... Read review