Christchurch
A city still visibly rebuilding after 2011, and more interesting for it. Gardens, a cathedral made of cardboard, and the Alps two hours west.
Christchurch in eight slides
Wikipedia · 3 Sep 2026
Things to do in Christchurch
Where to stay in Christchurch
Christchurch in a day, two days, three
Landmarks in Christchurch
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 20 May 2026
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Canterbury Museum is a museum located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the city's Cultural Precinct. The museum was established in 1867 with Julius von Haast – whose collection formed its core – as its first director. The building is registered as a "Historic Place – Category I" by Heritage New Zealand.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 12 Apr 2026
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is the transitional pro-cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, replacing ChristChurch Cathedral, which was significantly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 16 Jun 2026
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0
Christ Church Cathedral, previously spelled ChristChurch Cathedral and (rarely) called Cathedral Church of Christ, is a deconsecrated Anglican cathedral in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was built between 1864 and 1904 in the centre of the city, surrounded by Cathedral Square.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 10 Aug 2026
Photograph by Greg O'Beirne · CC BY 2.5
Hagley Park is the largest urban open space in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was established in 1855 by the Provincial Government. According to the government's decree at that time, Hagley Park is "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public." Hagley Park is characterised by its trees and broad open spaces.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 12 Aug 2026
Phillip Capper · CC BY 2.0
The 2024 Port Hills fire was a wildfire in Christchurch, New Zealand. The fire started at around 2:15 pm NZDT on 14 February 2024 on Worsleys Road. It is close to the location of one of the fires that started on 13 February 2017 which developed into the 2017 Port Hills fires.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 30 Jun 2026
CrawlyMonster · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 20 May 2026
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Canterbury Museum is a museum located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the city's Cultural Precinct. The museum was established in 1867 with Julius von Haast – whose collection formed its core – as its first director. The building is registered as a "Historic Place – Category I" by Heritage New Zealand.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 12 Apr 2026
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is the transitional pro-cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, replacing ChristChurch Cathedral, which was significantly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 16 Jun 2026
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0
Christ Church Cathedral, previously spelled ChristChurch Cathedral and (rarely) called Cathedral Church of Christ, is a deconsecrated Anglican cathedral in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was built between 1864 and 1904 in the centre of the city, surrounded by Cathedral Square.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 10 Aug 2026
Photograph by Greg O'Beirne · CC BY 2.5
Hagley Park is the largest urban open space in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was established in 1855 by the Provincial Government. According to the government's decree at that time, Hagley Park is "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public." Hagley Park is characterised by its trees and broad open spaces.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 12 Aug 2026
Phillip Capper · CC BY 2.0
The 2024 Port Hills fire was a wildfire in Christchurch, New Zealand. The fire started at around 2:15 pm NZDT on 14 February 2024 on Worsleys Road. It is close to the location of one of the fires that started on 13 February 2017 which developed into the 2017 Port Hills fires.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 30 Jun 2026
CrawlyMonster · CC BY-SA 4.0
From the airport
When to go to Christchurch: Nov or Dec or Jan or Feb or Mar
Long days for the walks; the south finally warms up.
Guides about Christchurch
The best time to visit New Zealand month by month, with the domestic holiday rush that moves prices island-wide and the levy you pay before you land.
Elise Kavanagh · 4 Sep 2026
Queenstown with kids by age band, with the visitor levy that has no child exemption, the free lake days and which adrenaline activities actually take under-12s.
Priya Nair · 3 Sep 2026
New Zealand's weather changes faster than anywhere and the UV is among the world's harshest. The layer system, the sun rule, and the biosecurity trap.
Hannah Weiss · 2 Sep 2026
A South Island road trip planned around real driving times. Why Milford from Queenstown is a ten hour day, and the levy that tripled before you land.
Elise Kavanagh · 2 Sep 2026