Places to visit near Christchurch (up to 1-hour drive)
/Did you know that there’s a ton to do and see within the radius of a one-hour drive from Christchurch city? You could easily spend a week in Christchurch, explore something different every day and come back to the same hotel for the night (meaning you wouldn’t have to pack your bags over and over again, quite the luxury).
Some of these places to visit near Christchurch can easily be reached by public transport but for the full experience, I strongly suggest renting a car.
Now sit back, relax and see just how many awesome things to do around Christchurch there are that you might want to add to your next getaway.
the banks peninsula is just one of the many places to visit near christchurch
Places to visit near Christchurch
By the way: If you’re looking for things to do in Christchurch city or in the greater Canterbury region like Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs or Tekapo and Mt Cook, just click on the respective link.
Port Hills
The Port Hills are Christchurch’s Number One outdoor playground and one of the . The hills between Christchurch and Lyttleton are eroded remnants of the northern rim of the Lyttelton volcano and are home to countless awesome walks, thrills and adventures.
Bridle Path Walk
One of the most popular walks in the Port Hills is the Bridle Path Walk. It leads from the Port Hills to Lyttleton and is 2.4km one way from the start (car park at the foot of the gondola) to finish (Bridle Path Road in Lyttelton). During the walk, you are treated to the most amazing views over Lyttelton Harbour!
Once you’ve arrived at the end of the walk, keep going to reach the centre of Lyttleton to get a drink and a snack before either walking back or taking bus No 28 back to your car.
Special tip: If you like weird and eclectic bars (in a good way), go visit Wunderbar in Lyttelton. It’s for ‘nice people only’ as it says at the entrance and has been around forever.
By the way: Bridle Path Walk is dog-friendly as long as they’re on a leash. And so is Wunderbar (even inside, how awesome!)
Walking in the port Hills is one of the best things to do near christchurch. pic by christchurchnz
Christchurch Adventure Park
Three words to sum up Christchurch Adventure Park: Biking, walking, ziplining. Sounds awesome? I know, right!
You can find both the longest AND the highest zipline in New Zealand here! In total, you can zip up to 4 lines (or less, if you prefer). The highest zipline is 150m | 492ft above ground and is sure to give you a true energy buzz. The longest of the ziplines is over 1km | 0.6mi long. It just keeps going and going.
The walking trails can be quite steep. You can take the chairlift up (for a charge), walk around at the top and back down. Or walk it all uphills and take the chairlift for free to ride it downhills.
The biggest part of Christchurch Adventure Park is mountain biking. A huge range of trails are waiting for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders. If you’re new-ish to mountain biking, consider taking a lesson first, so you can really hit the trails rather than a tree…
The park also has a lovely cafe to cool down between trails, after your walk or ziplining.
Location: 225 Worsleys Road, Cracroft, Christchurch 8022
Ziplining high over christchurch. Pic by christchurchnz
Christchurch Gondola
If you prefer to just relax and enjoy the view, then Christchurch Gondola is probably right up your alley.
Located in a different corner of the Port Hills, the 4-seater gondola brings you to the summit without any hassle. Just sit back in your 4-seater gondola and take in the scenery outside your window.
Once you’re at the top, there are a few walks to explore. Or you can enjoy a drink and a meal at the licensed Red Rock Cafe and later browse through souvenirs.
Your ticket also includes the Discovery Ride, a theme-park-style ride through the history of the region.
Location: 10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch 8022
At the summit of the christchurch gondola. Pic by Christchurchnz
Mini-Roadie to Port Hills, Lyttelton and Sumner Beach
If you have a car to explore, spend the day on this mini-road trip from Christchurch to the Port Hills, down to Lyttelton and on to Sumner Beach.
The whole look is only 43km | 27mi long and if you just drove without stopping, it would only take you a bit more than an hour until you’re back in Christchurch. But why wouldn’t you make a day of it, you’re coming past all these amazing places to visit near Christchurch!
Sumner beach is one of the best places to visit near christchurch for a swim and a surf. pic by Christchurch nz
The first stop is in the Port Hills. How about a zipline session at Christchurch Adventure Park? Next up is Sugarloaf Scenic Reserve to take in the most amazing views over Christchurch on one side and the bays on the other. A cafe at the Sign of the Kiwi Cafe is always a good idea.
Moving on the winding roads down towards Governor’s Bay and on to Lyttelton. If you visit on a Saturday from 10am to 1pm, go and stroll through the Farmers Market on London Street.
Before heading back to the city, go for a swim on Sumner Beach and then enjoy an ice-cold drink at Sumner Beach Bar. The bar is one of the few restaurants/pubs in New Zealand that is located right ON the beach. Holiday feelings are guaranteed!
An awesome way to spend a day visiting awesome places near christchurch
Swim in New Brighton Beach’s Hot Pools
I feel like every beach with a jetty somehow feels like they need to be called Brighton or New Brighton after the original beach with a jetty in England. And they don’t usually stack up to the original.
However, New Brighton Beach Christchurch has something no other beach (or none that I know of) has: Hot pools right at the beach!
He Puna Taimoana has five different hot pools with different temperatures. Some pools are for relaxing, others are for families and others again are for activities and to exercise. On top, there’s a sauna overlooking the beach, a steam room and a cold plunge pool.
In autumn, winter and spring, you can enjoy an early morning bathing session for sunrise (in summer it would just be way too early). The session starts between 6am and 7.15am, depending on the time for sunrise and you’ll sit in the hot pool with a cold mocktail and watch the sun climb over the horizon. To start the day extra fresh and relaxed you can take part in the guided meditation.
PS: New Brighton Beach can easily be reached by bus from Christchurch city.
Location: 195 Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch 8083
Sauna with a view at he puna taimoana in New Brighton Beach. I wish this was me in the picture :-)
Orana Wildlife Park
If you’re exploring Christchurch with kids, a visit to Orana Wildlife Park is almost compulsory. Orana is New Zealand’s only open-range wildlife park and sprawls out on over 80 hectares, giving the animals ample space to roam.
Visit Aotearoa’s only two Gorillas and say hi to the curious little Meerkat or hand-feed a giraffe. That’s only one of many things you can experience in Christchurch’s wildlife park.
An extra thrilling experience and one of the best things to do around Christchurch is the lion encounter at Orana Wildlife Park. For an additional charge, you enter the lion enclosure in a caged truck and come up close and personal with the lions as your guide feeds them from the van. It’s almost as if you are on a real safari!
Due to the fact that there’s limited space within the caged truck, making it hard to keep your distance, it’s possible the encounter isn’t operating at certain covid levels. Please check their website to avoid disappointment.
Location: 793 McLeans Island Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051
say hi to the lions at orana wildlife park
Banks Peninsula
The rugged peninsula east of Christchurch has volcanic origins. It makes a great day trip from Christchurch or you can stay for the night if you need a bit more time to explore. The most popular place to visit on the Banks Peninsula is Akaroa. You can still see the French influence in town by early settlers who took the land from the local Maori tribe.
But not only Akaroa is worth a visit, but there’s also a lot to do on the Banks Peninsula. Visit the Pohatu Penguins or go swimming with dolphins, wander around vineyards or hit the walking trails.
The charming town centre of akaroa in the banks peninsula
Visit Waipara’s boutique wineries
Did you know there is a small but picturesque little wine region just under an hour’s drive north of Christchurch? In New Zealand, we’re so blessed with fantastic, big wine regions that sometimes we forget that there are even more that aren’t as famous.
Many of the Waipara wineries are family-owned and have been for generations. Plenty of cellar doors offer wine tasting and delicious meals. The safest way to enjoy the Waipara wine is either by joining a day trip from Christchurch with a driver-guide or to stay in Waipara for the night.
The beautiful waipara valley just north of christchurch
Ballooning over the Canterbury Plains
You’ll have to get up really early for this one but it’s so worth it! Imagine yourself silently floating through the sky as the sun comes up and bathes the Canterbury Plains in a golden light.
You’ll meet the crew before sunrise and watch them getting the balloon ready. You then hop in and gently lift off the ground. Watch the world wake up, the changing colours of the sky and the Canterbury Plains below you. Pure bliss!
Float peacefully over the canterbury plains in a hot air balloon
Head to the mountains (Mt Hutt, Mt Somers, Castle Hill)
While the Canterbury Plains are rather flat (duh), you can spot a pretty impressive mountain range in the background. The mountains and ski fields in Mt Hutt and Mt Somers are just a hop, skip and jump from the city (just over an hour drive) and count as one of the most awesome places to visit near Christchurch.
Sure, you can drive all the way to Mt Cook but if you’re looking for a laid-back kiwi town with mostly local hustle and bustle, visit Methven in Mid-Canterbury.
The quaint town turns into a busy place during the ski season and thanks to the newly opened (licensed) hot pools might attract a lot more people throughout all seasons.
Outside of skiing in winter, you can hit the hiking trails (for example to the Ashburton Lakes near Mt Somers), go ballooning or on a crazy 4WD adventure.
Methven looking pretty in spring. pic by destination mid-canterbury
Make it a (weekend) getaway
Why not make it a Canterbury getaway? On our very own booking website Weekend Getaways NZ, you’ll find getaways of 1 - 3 nights as well as discount codes for your favourite attractions, tours and accommodation all over New Zealand!
Check out the getaways!
Find even more things to do in Christchurch and Canterbury
Click here for more info about Christchurch and Northern Canterbury (Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs etc)
Click here for more info about Mid-Canterbury and the Mackenzie District (Tekapo, Mt Cook etc)
See all the things to do in Christchurch city
