Christchurch, New Zealand Travel Guide

Christchurch, New Zealand, is a unique city full of humanity. A large number of European-style buildings stand here, giving people an exotic character and endless aftertaste. There are many small attractions to visit here and the food is unique. This is a very good tourist destination.

There is not much to do in Christchurch. Hagley Park is worth walking and relaxing. I have seen dozens, hundreds of plants that I have never seen in my life. This is the largest park in Christchurch, so it’s a great place to have a blast. There is a Maori museum next door, which is not recommended. Nothing to see.

There is also a local attraction called Memorial Bridge. But what I want to say is that there is a small street nearby with some bars where you can go and have a drink, which is euphemistically called "helping you get rid of jet lag".

After a day in Christchurch, head to Lake Tekapo. "Looking at the lake" is also an important part of the New Zealand itinerary.

Tekapo is as big as the sea, with blue water and white waves. Great for taking photos! There is no pressure in the circle of friends.

There are only two hotels in this town. It is recommended to stay at Chili Hotel, the standard rooms will be very small. Therefore, if you are traveling with friends or family, it is recommended to book a villa directly, which costs about 300-400 yuan per person per night.

The town is boring and small, but it is a great place for stargazing. There is a famous observatory. You can book observatory tickets online in advance and watch the stars at night! Don't say that there is nothing interesting about the stars. They are not on the same level as what you understand by looking at the stars.

In order to protect the environment, local people are not allowed to bring any light sources and photographic equipment up the mountain. Because of the weather, I didn't have a chance to see it. According to a friend's description, it is the Milky Way that can be seen with the naked eye, and meteors that can be seen in a few seconds. The sight moved her to tears.

Where is Christchurch?

Christchurch is located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is New Zealand's third largest city and the gateway to other cities in the South Island. Starting from Christchurch, you can reach Tasman National Park in the north via Lake Dekapo, Glacier in the west, Dunedin in the south and Queenstown in the middle. If you want to visit the South Island, you can make Christchurch your first stop.

What can I do in Christchurch in 3 days?

Day 1 itinerary morning: Christchurch Botanic Garden Museum

Christchurch Botanic Garden

To understand the garden city of Christchurch Strange, let’s start with New Zealand’s largest urban botanical garden. There are many types of plants here, with more than 10,000 native and introduced plants. The River Avon flows through the gardens, creating a very fresh and elegant setting. The rose garden is the centerpiece of the botanical garden, with more than 250 species of roses. In addition to the rose garden, there are also heather garden, rock garden, rhododendron garden, Ke Kaiyin garden and so on. Those who are interested in garden flowers can take a stroll. In the park, you can choose a guided tour (cost is about RMB 46) or take a small train tour (approximately RMB 83 for adults, RMB 42 for children).

Transportation: Take the bright yellow shuttle bus (Shuttel) in Christchurch and get off at the Art Center Station.

Opening hours:

Closed from 7:00-18:30 in April and September.

Closed from 7:00 to 20:30 from October to March

Closed from 7:00 to 21:00 from February to November

Bolt Museum

The Canterbury Museum, located on the east side of the Botanic Gardens, opened in 1870 and houses an outstanding collection unique to New Zealand. The fourth floor of the museum has a collection of more than 2 million items. The first floor displays the life of the indigenous Maori people, the history of European colonists in New Zealand, and the scenes of the 19th-century commercial street have been restored. In addition, the museum also has themes related to Antarctica, such as emperor penguin sculptures, bird specimens from the South Pacific, etc. There are also many interesting exhibition halls in the museum, which are very suitable for children to visit.

Transportation: The museum is on the east side of the Botanical Garden. These two places can be arranged to play together.

Opening hours:

April to September 9:00-17:00

October to March 9:00-17:30 (Christmas Day off)

Afternoon of Day 1: New Brighton Pier/Samona Beach

New Brighton Pier

This is a landmark in local history Not many trestles. It was built in 1891. It used to be a wooden trestle.

In 1999, it was rebuilt into its current reinforced concrete structure. This 300-meter-long trestle extends into the sea and is a good place to watch the sunrise on the beach. The vast Pacific Ocean, skyline, trestle, and sunrise scene constitute a beautiful, distant and peaceful picture. There is also a seaside library next to the pier, which is very popular. There are comfortable sofas in the library, where you can enjoy unparalleled sea views and enjoy reading.

Transportation:

Self-driving: New Brighton Pier is located on the seaside in the northeast of Christchurch and can be reached by driving about 10 kilometers;

Bus: From the bus interchange in Christchurch, visitors can take a bus to New Brighton, which takes approximately 30 minutes during off-peak hours.

Mona Beach

This beach is far away from New Brighton Beach, a favorite spot among locals. New Brighton Beach has a wide sea view, and what’s even more interesting in Samona is that it has a sea view on one side and a mountain view on the other. There are many houses built on the mountain, some of which are a hundred years old. Looking down from the top of the mountain, you get a perfect view of the bay. Mona Beach has a variety of gourmet restaurants and bars that are also lively at night. If you want to stay here for a night or two, there are plenty of backpackers and hotels. Isn’t it a pity to only use Christchurch as a transit stop when visiting the city during the day, staying at the beach at night, and going surfing at the beach in the summer?

Transportation:

Self-driving: drive about 10 kilometers southeast from the city to reach Samona Beach;

Bus: You can also drive from the city Take the purple line directly to the central bus station.

First night: Tram Restaurant

Youjie Tram Restaurant

When you first arrive in Christchurch, you might as well arrange dinner on the tram. The Tram Restaurant is an iconic restaurant in Christchurch. You can enjoy a delicious dinner while admiring the night view of Christchurch at night. This is definitely a unique experience that food lovers cannot miss. Integrate a unique dining experience into the sightseeing tour of Christchurch's old town, feel the vitality and cultural heritage of the city, and perfectly combine retro and modernity. It really kills two birds with one stone. However, this dinner trip is very popular. Remember to book in advance, the price will be cheaper than the official website.

Time: The dinner tour departs from the Cathedral Crossing Shopping Center Tram Stop 2 at 19:00. The meeting time is 18:50 pm, so you need to arrive in advance.

Day two itinerary: International Antarctic Center for Hot Air Ballooning

You can ride hot air balloons in many places in New Zealand, and Christchurch is no exception. The flat Canterbury Plains are ideal for hot air balloon rides. From a high altitude, you can overlook the farmland on the plains, extending all the way to the snow-covered Southern Alps, which is very spectacular. Sunrise is also a must-see scene in a hot air balloon. The sunrise time will vary in different seasons, usually between 5 and 7 o'clock, so you have to get up early to take the hot air balloon ride.

Transportation: It is recommended to book the hot air balloon trip in advance, including free transfer, which is more convenient.

Hot air balloons

You can ride hot air balloons in many places in New Zealand, and Christchurch is no exception. The flat Canterbury Plains are ideal for hot air balloon rides. From a high altitude, you can overlook the farmland on the plains, extending all the way to the snow-covered Southern Alps, which is very spectacular. Sunrise is also a must-see scene in a hot air balloon. The sunrise time will vary in different seasons, usually between 5 and 7 o'clock, so you have to get up early to take the hot air balloon ride.

Transportation: It is recommended to book the hot air balloon trip in advance, including free transfer, which is more convenient.

International Antarctic Center

The International Antarctic Center is an Antarctic research base located at Christchurch International Airport, which is very suitable for taking children to experience. There are many fun activities here. You can experience the changes in the four seasons in Antarctica, accept the challenges of Antarctic storms, and understand the real life of Antarctic researchers. Visit Scott Base, New Zealand's research station in Antarctica. Here, you can also see little blue penguins up close. If you want some excitement, you can take a ride on the HageronSUV - Antarctic ATV. Of course, Antarctica’s biting ice and cold are exciting enough. It is recommended to book the itinerary online in advance, including a pass to the Antarctic Center, which allows you to watch 4D movies and ride the H?gglund off-road vehicle as many times as you want throughout the day.

Hours: Open to the public every day of the year, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Transportation:

(1) Take the City Express or Penguin Express from outside the Canterbury Museum.

(2) Take bus No. 3 or No. 29 to Christchurch International Airport, walk east along Dulay Road for about 400 meters, walk around the roundabout from Exit 1 for about 200 meters to Wuhan Airport. Road.

Third day trip: Watch dolphins at Akaroa Bay Nomadic Park.

Akaroa is located on the Banks Peninsula in the eastern part of the South Island. This was originally a place where the French settled, and the entire town is also French-style and full of romance. Akaroa is located close to the bay and is picturesque. Go to Akaroa and see alpacas in the pastures or dolphins in the bay.

Akaroa Ranch

The ranch is a place that combines knowledge and fun. It is located west of Arcadia, approximately 20 minutes from Arcadia. You can book your trip online in advance. Alpacas are the stars of the ranch. The owner of the ranch will introduce you to the names of the alpacas, take them for a walk, and guide them into the sheepfold. You will also have the opportunity to pet an alpaca and learn about its strengths and weaknesses. Next to the ranch is Akaroa Bay, and the scenery is quiet and charming.

Transportation: The ranch is located in the west of Akaroa, about 20 minutes’ drive away, and about 80 kilometers away from Christchurch.

Watching dolphins

To see dolphins in Akaroa, you can take a big boat out. When you reach the preset point, you can see dolphins and seals on the boat. If you're good with water, you can also swim with the dolphinarium. Swimming times are subject to availability. Generally speaking, if the dolphins cooperate, the swimming time is 20-40 minutes. Don't touch dolphins when swimming with them or they will swim away immediately.

Time: The whole journey takes about three and a half hours. It is recommended to book your dolphin watching trip in advance. Four sessions a day: 8:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 (there are 11:30 sessions in May and September, and swimming events are closed in winter in June, July and August). You can choose the time according to your own schedule.

Transportation

Traffic

There are currently no direct domestic flights to Christchurch. Generally, you enter Christchurch from Singapore, Australia or Auckland as a transit point. Christchurch mainly has flights from Air New Zealand and Jetstar Airways, and accepts flights from the North and South Islands of New Zealand, as well as flights from other international routes.

Local calls

Bus *** Cars

It is an important part of Christchurch public transportation. You can find out more on the Christchurch Bus Network (http://www.metroinfo.co.nz/).

Rent a car

Choosing to rent a car is a relatively quick transportation option. If you rent a car temporarily abroad, you may encounter problems such as language barriers. It is recommended to rent online in advance and use the on-board meter at your destination for convenience.

Visa

You can handle it yourself. Log in to the New Zealand Immigration website (https://www.Immigration.govt.NZ/New-Zealand-visas), select the tourist visa application section, download the application form, and view the information required for visa preparation. After the documents are prepared, you can submit them in person to the local consulate, or you can mail the visa documents to the local visa center. Generally, results are available in one to three weeks. If you are worried that you will be in too much trouble, you can find a reliable travel agency to save yourself worry and trouble.

Notes

Local shops close around 7 o'clock. It is recommended to go to the supermarket to buy some in advance. I wish you a pleasant stay at the hotel. Countdown should be the largest local supermarket chain and can basically meet our normal needs. It’s really good to buy more kiwis and apples. Wine and beer are also cheap and delicious. Don't miss it.

Remember to bring your passport when buying wine. They have to check their age. Asians really don't show their age. If you are a freelancer, be sure to rent a car. You can apply for a car rental online with an interpreter.

New Zealand drives on the right. You must be energetic when driving and never drive in the wrong direction. It's great to be able to use Amap or Google Maps while driving. It's basically a one-way street and no overtaking is allowed.

If you don’t want to go to Akaroa on the third day, you can also choose to go fishing or whale watching in Kaikoura. It's also on the east coast of the South Island. The most famous thing here is sea fishing. Marine life is very rich.

Even a novice can catch fish quickly. After the sea fishing, the captain will help you process the harvested fish into fillets. In addition to sea fishing, you can also see many other animals. If you are lucky, you can see whales, dolphins, fur seals, albatross, penguins and various marine seabirds in one day, which is very enjoyable.