Christchurch Travel Forum

Hello all!

I am an American student studying abroad for a semester in Australia. For our Easter break (April 7-15), myself and 3 friends are flying into Christchurch (2 other guys, 1 girl). I was just wondering if anyone has advice about what to do and where to go. We are all looking to have a good time, but I can drink and party pretty much anywhere, and this will probably be the only time in my life I'll be in New Zealand. Another major guideline is whatever we do must be cheap (hostels, no car, etc.) We will be there for a whole week, but we only wanted to spend a couple days in the actual city. We were thinking about going out and traveling around the country, see the scenery, etc.

First, where should we go while we are in the city? Is there anything that is a must see while we are there? Also, does anyone have suggestions about where are nice places to go away from the city (must be accessible by public transportation). This is where we want to spend the majority of our time. It doesn't have to be a day trip, we are planning to travel around the country for a few days. We just need to be back in Christchurch to fly out.

Thanks a bunch!

David Gersztenkorn

Hi there! Ive been backpacking for a while and have settled to live in New Zealand for a few months! Best way to get around New Zealand is to use a company called nakedbus (website www.nakedbus.com)
If you book in advance online with a credit card you can get $1 seats all over south island. Christchurch itself is a small city and theres not a whole lot to do there. I would recommend staying in Shalom backpackers hostel (on Bealy avenue). Nice to spend a lunchtime on the River Avon in the city and maybe visit the botanical gardens (all backpacker friendly as theyre free!!!) Also the Christchurch art gallery quite interesting. If you can, travel from Christchurch up to a place called Kaikoura.( about two hours away by bus) Loads of water based activities there ie.kayaking, seal watching, whale watching etc. Or maybe go from Christchurch across to Mt.Cook, amazing scenery through the southern alps. If you cannot book with nakedbus other companies are southern link, atomic shuttles and intercity.
My advice is to spend little time in Christchurch and get out and about, like you say you can drink and party anywhere and Christchurch is nowhere near as big a city as say sydney or melbourne.
Happy travels!
Antonia

I agree with ^ this guy.
In fact, if I were you, I would only be in Chch for the day you arrive and the day you gotta leave. It really is a boring, flat city. (Compared to the splendour of the rest of the South Island). I highly recommend doing a loop starting at the Aurthur's Pass road out to the West Coast, down the West Coast via the Glaciers to Queenstown, then check out Milford Sound ...thats the best part of NZ, a little bit out of the way, but really worth your time and effort. Then back to Chch via the Mt Cook road. You could spend your whole 7 days doing that comfortably. But if you are looking for something easy and close by, then Kaikoura and the surrounds is worth a day or 3.
If its your only time in NZ, I cant stress enough how great a time you have doing the loop I mentioned. I do a variation of it every year and am constantly blown away.
Whatever you do.....HAVE FUN

You could check my pages about Christchurch and Lyttelton, I have posted more than 100 tips there, so you can get a great overview of the things to do and see here. I have listed walks in the city centre which include the must-sees there, additionally you should get up to the Port Hills and enjoy the fantastic views over the city and Lyttelton Harbour, either drive up by car, walk up Bridle Path or take the gondola. If you are interested in NZ wildlife visit The Willowbank. A little cruise on Lyttelton Harbour could be nice.

I have also listed many tips about Banks Peninsula which is spectacular. You should spend at least a day there. Day trips from Chch are to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Arthur's Pass, even Lake Tekapo.

We have just been to the West Coast and travelled via Arthur's Pass. I think this is one of the most spectacular drives in the whole of NZ. Every time we drive there - and this happens rather often - I am totally fascinated of the breathtaking landscape, especially between Porter's Pass and Arthur's Pass. You can find more info about this trip on my Canterbury page.

If you need more info just contact me, I know all spots in and around Christchurch.

oh dear - sorry - I have totally missed that I was too late with my answer, your Easter break is already over LOL LOL I hope you have had a great time!