Day 32: What to see and do in Christchurch
A route through things to see and do in Christchurch It is our goal today after having spent a couple of days enjoying an incredible list of places to see and do on the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, most recommended that have also served as a resting point after having been the last Days of the trip to New Zealand in 36 days touring Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook.
We say goodbye to Akaroa, one of the most beautiful places we have seen in New Zealand when it is 8 am, after breakfast, leaving the Akaroa Holiday Park Top 10, our accommodation in Akaroa to start the journey that will take us to Christchurch , one of the places to see in New Zealand, which unfortunately days ago was news for a terrorist attack that shocked the entire country.
Despite this and although initially we doubted whether to go through the city, seeing that everything is quiet and with the intention of normalize as much as possible what happened, we decided to spend a day here to know some of the places to see in Christchurch More tourist
Remember that Christchurch is only 80 kilometers from the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, so in case the weather is not favorable, you can make a change of route, interspersing these destinations, provided you have chosen to rent a motorhome in New Zeeland as we have done, something that allows you total freedom of movement and schedules, fundamental in a country like this.
Remember that if you are interested in making a route through New Zealand by motorhome, we recommend you look at the Motorhome Republic page where you can see all the available motorhome options, prices and even make the reservation directly.
How to go to Christchurch from the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa
As we mentioned before Christchurch is separated from Akaroa about 80 kilometers and about an hour away, so it is also a very common vacation spot for locals working in the city.
The journey between both cities will not take you more than 1 hour and even if you have not been able to make the Summit Road, on the Akaroa Peninsula, this journey can be a good time to travel it by making a small detour.
Road from the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa to Christchurch
We arrived in Christchurch at 10 in the morning and although there are several paid parking areas in the city, we decided to leave the motorhome on the street, in a free area, very close to the provisional cathedral area.
Keep in mind that there are many free and also some paid parkings, in most you have to pay between 5 and 10NZD for a whole day, so you will not have problems in this regard to enjoy all the things to do in Christchurch that we will propose below.
Remember that in the Campermate application, the New Zealand bibleIn addition to all the information on accommodations, campsites, gas stations and points of interest, you can also find information on all parking locations, free and paid, in the country.
More practical information to prepare your trip to New Zealand
- 10 essential tips for traveling to New Zealand
- 10 essential places to see in New Zealand
- The best travel insurance for New Zealand
What to see and do in Christchurch
Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in New Zealand, Christchurch is unfortunately known for the incredible work it is doing, together with its inhabitants, to overcome one of the most important natural disasters the country has suffered: the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes that left almost 200 dead and virtually the entire city devastated.
Although the city is still very active and there are still numerous things to see and do in ChristchurchIt is really incredible to see how, although 10 years have passed, there are still many empty lots and collapsed buildings, which seem to be the memory of the disaster, despite the need and desire of its inhabitants, that this changes and soon.
Christchurch
Despite this or as a result, part of the city has overturned and new movements are emerging, little by little, wanting to change and new projects, which make the city look like it once was, although we cannot deny Unfortunately, there is still a lot of work to do and walk through some areas of the city center, leaving the most optimistic tourist with sensitivity to the surface.
Although initially this can throw you back, we believe that tourism is also part of this engine and at least the city deserves to go through it for a few hours, to know it and see how little by little and granite to granite, it is trying to return to normal and be as it was.
Regent Street, one of the places to see in Christchurch
Known for being one of the commercial arteries of the city, this is one of the streets that you cannot miss when visiting Christchurch. In addition to touring it, we recommend you stop at one of its terraces to have a coffee and enjoy the lively atmosphere that usually exists when lunch time approaches.
Regent Street, one of the places to see in Christchurch
Cathedral Square
In the heart of a historic center virtually devastated by the 2011 earthquake, from which you can still see many of the sequels in the buildings and that destroyed much of the city's heritage, one of the things to do in Christchurch that you cannot To lose yourself is to approach the old Cathedral.
Despite being currently behind bars, its visit is impossible, since it has not yet begun with the restoration, this place is a symbol of the city and as such, we believe that you can not miss your route through Christchurch.
Christchurch Cathedral
Built in 1881 today, its restoration has not yet begun pending the conclusion of the debate between those who believe that the little that has been maintained of the heritage of the city after the disaster and those who believe that Earthquakes must give way to renewal. The only thing that is clear is that today you can only see the central nave of this symbol of the city, which lost much of its central spire and the rose window during earthquakes.
Arts Center
Built in 1877 this building was the headquarters of Canterbury College and later the University of Canterbury. Also very damaged during the earthquakes, restoration works have begun and now you can access its central courtyard from which you can enjoy one of the neo-gothic buildings to see in Christchurch more beautiful.
Arts Center
As a curiosity, Rutherford studied here, the physicist who appears on the 100NZD bill and was the person who first divided an atom.
Cardboard Cathedral
Also known as the Provisional Cathedral, this is the result of the need for renewal and forgetfulness that emerged in Christchurch after the earthquakes. The project, by a Japanese architect, was built in less than a year and cardboard tubes were used for this, allowing the inhabitants of Christchurch to have a new cathedral and also a concert hall, active today.
Cardboard Cathedral
Botanical Garden
Although we had read that it was one of the things to do in Christchurch more recommended, the time was on us and in the end we could not visit them, but we recommend, if you have a couple of hours, do not miss what they say is one of the great green lungs of the city and one of its most impressive places , especially in spring, when several of its thematic gardens are at skin flower.
Where to eat?
Although Christchurch has plenty of recommended places to eat, if you want to eat something around the Arts Center, a good option is the Zen Sushi and Dumplings restaurant, where you can choose different varieties of rolls and nigiri, as well as dumplings.
We pay 44NZD for a complete variety of rolls, a pack of six dumplings, water and soda.
Zen Sushi and Dumplings restaurant
Where to sleep?
Although we do not stay to sleep, we leave you the hotel search engine that we use in our trips to find accommodation.
Search here for the best hotel at the best price
How many days do I need to see Christchurch?
As we have said before, unfortunately even today much of the heritage is still devastated, so you will not need much time to see the things to see and do in Christchurch more tourist.
We would recommend you dedicate a full day if you have this and if not, do as we do and spend a few hours, between the route for example from the Banks Peninsula to Kaikoura, as has been our case.
Account that with 4-5 hours you can see the most important places and if you want to add the Botanical Garden, with one or two more hours you have enough.
Christchurch
Excursions
In addition to all things to do in Christchurch As we mentioned before, we leave you a selection of different options that can be a perfect complement to the city visit or get here from other parts of the country if you do not want or do not have your own vehicle.
We leave you a map with the locations of all the things to see and do in Christchurch, one of the cities that you cannot miss in New Zealand.
And so, after spend a day in Christchurch, we make our way to Kaikoura, our next and last destination of the trip, where we will spend the last days enjoying one of the areas they say, is another of the great paradises of New Zealand.
The journey is 180 kilometers, which we do in 2 hours and a half and that take us directly to the Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park which will be our accommodation in Kaikoura the next two nights and where after a quick dinner, we fall like children, dreaming of everything awaits us the next few days before saying goodbye to New Zealand.
We leave you the map of the route from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where we will spend the last days of the trip to New Zealand.
Day 33-34: What to see and do in Kaikoura
