Christchurch Activities

There are some outstanding kid-oriented facilities throughout Christchurch, from outdoor parks to sophisticated facilities like the International Antarctic Centre and the Discovery Children’s Natural History Centre at the Canterbury Museum. Hands-on learning is key at Science Alive!, but there are equally as many hands-on opportunities with local wildlife at places like the Orana Wildlife Park.

Discovery
Located on the third floor of the Canterbury Museum, the Discovery natural history centre is geared especially for children. This part of the museum is filled with hands-on activities that reveal exciting qualities of the natural world. Children can play palaeontologist at the fossil excavation centre; explore the weird science in the Witch’s Pantry; and have a first-hand encounter with a (harmless) tarantula. Phone: +64 3 366 9429 ext. 817; website: www.canterburymuseum.com.

Orana Wildlife Park
This is the only open-range zoo in New Zealand, and the facility is designed to bring visitors into close contact with the exotic, on-site species. The central attraction is the Lion Encounter, which places visitors in a safari-like environment where they can get a surprisingly up-close view of these enormous cats. Daily animal feeding times feature otters, meerkats, monkeys and more, and children are thrilled by the opportunity to hand-feed a giraffe. There is also a section of the park dedicated to indigenous species, including the ever-popular kiwi bird. Phone: +64 3 359 7109; website: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz.

Science Alive!
This hands-on science institute is located in a classic heritage building near to Christchurch business district. Suitable for inquisitive guests of all ages, Science Alive! is full of exciting exhibits that play on your imagination while offering insight into advanced technological fields. Older children will enjoy the 17-foot high vertical slide that sends riders on a thrilling sheer plunge before levelling out. The facility also includes a gyroscope, a climbing wall and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. In addition to its permanent exhibits, there are a series of visiting exhibits that change up to four times annually. Phone: +64 3 365 5199; website: www.sciencealive.co.nz.

Christchurch has capitalised on its cultural heritage, and there are a number of museums, art galleries and cultural parks throughout the city. Many of these facilities are housed in charming heritage homes that are attractions in themselves. The city is also the perfect place to learn about the ancient Maori people and their struggle with imperial colonisation. Many of the heritage sites offer informative guided tours.

Air Force Museum
This facility is located 15 minutes drive from Christchurch city centre at one of New Zealand's oldest airbases, Base Wigram. A series of exhibits explore New Zealand's century-long flight history. Guests are greeted with a 30-minute video, after which they can proceed into the compound. Outstanding among the exhibits is the collection of 28 aircraft, most of which are beautifully restored, early-model classics. There is also a significant display devoted to the WWII Battle of Britain. Phone: +64 3 343 9532; website: www.airforcemuseum.co.nz.

Art Centre
Originally the site of Canterbury University College, this facility has been converted into an arts and crafts hub. The centre spans several blocks of Worcester boulevard and hosts artists' studios, theatres and galleries. There are also several restaurants, cafés, bars and a cinema in the area. At weekends, an open-air market and ethnic food fair are major events, while evening, outdoor concerts are also often held here. History enthusiasts will also find plenty to occupy themselves, as this part of Christchurch is home to a number of heritage buildings including New Zealand's oldest lecture hall. Phone: +63 3 366 0989; website: www.artscentre.org.nz.

Canterbury Museum
Housed in a lovely, historic building, the Canterbury Museum is well-known across New Zealand for the breadth and quality of its exhibits. Tours of the museum reveal several zoological and geological exhibits, along with cultural displays devoted to Maori tribes and colonists' European roots. One of the most popular exhibits is a meticulous recreation of a historic Christchurch street during the late 1800s. There is also a display chronicling Antarctic expeditions as well as hands-on learning experiences for children at the Discovery Centre. Phone: +64 3 366 5000; website: www.canterburymuseum.com.

Centre for Contemporary Art
Christchurch's largest collection of contemporary art boasts more than 60 exhibitions in five different galleries. The excellent collection of local work features artists from New Zealand. The facility functions both as an art gallery and as a community centre for local artists. The Centre for Contemporary Art is located on Gloucester street. Phone: +64 3 366 7261; website: www.coca.org.nz.

Cultural Precinct
Christchurch's official culturally-oriented zone is centrally located and pedestrian-friendly. A number of historic sites and culturally relevant attractions are interspersed here with cafés, boutiques and art galleries—all within easy walking distance of one another. Some of the main attractions include the Provincial Chambers, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral and Christ's College. For added nostalgia, consider touring the Cultural Precinct aboard the Christchurch Tramway which passes all of the major attractions and includes live commentary by on-board guides. Website: www.culturalprecinct.co.nz.

Nga Hau E Wha Marae
The 'Marae of the Four Winds' (a marae is a sacred Maori site) is the best place in Christchurch to learn about the heritage, history and customs of the Maori people. Onsite are two traditional meeting houses, both of which boast iconic engravings that chronicle the Maori creation myths and subsequent oral traditions. Guided tours, Maori homestay arrangements, and a number of cultural workshops are all available to the public, though advanced bookings are sometimes necessary. The best performance, 'A Night of Maori Magic', is held daily and includes a concert, a traditional Maori meal and tours of the facility. Phone: +64 3 388 7685; website: www.nationalmarae.co.nz.

The Tramway
The historic Christchurch tram follows a 1.5-mile circuit around the city centre, passing a number of historic sites and heritage buildings. Along the way, passengers can enjoy splendid views of the Botanic Gardens, Cathedral and Victoria squares, and the Canterbury Museum. These nostalgic trams have been beautifully restored, and they facilitate an ideal, leisurely tour - complete with commentary - of the city's main attractions. The trams are equipped with an à la carte restaurant and private parties occasionally charter the tramway for classy cocktail parties in motion. Phone: +64 3 366 7830; website: www.tram.co.nz.

Shopping in Christchurch is split between modern shopping complexes, handicraft outlets and shops specialising in Maori goods. Christchurch caters for local artisans and small business owners with brightly coloured pedestrian shopping plazas. In fact, taking a day to peruse all the goods that this city offers is a kind of rite of passage for visitors.

Some common products you will find for sale are designer fashions (especially on High street), sheepskin jackets and slippers, woollen products ranging from sweaters to hand-spun yarn, and reasonably-priced modern art. Hand-crafted gourmet foods are inexpensive and make excellent gifts. Consider smoked beef, exotic jams and delicious chocolates for the quintessential purchase. New Zealand is also gaining respect as a wine producer—particularly when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc.

A weekend market is held at the Arts Centre, where dozens of artisans come together every Saturday and Sunday to sell their unique, handmade goods. Look for Maori bone and wood carvings, both of which chronicle ancient Maori myths and often fetch high prices. Inside the Arts Centre is the Galleria, a permanent row of boutiques that deal in handmade ceramics, woven goods and jewellery.

The South Island is known for its deposits of greenstone (New Zealand jade) which is mined on the west coast. This precious stone finds its way into a number of handcrafted products, particularly jewellery, figurines and Maori products.

In Christchurch, there is a wonderful array of eateries throughout the city centre—particularly on Victoria street, and Park and Cambridge terraces. These establishments cover a range of budgets, with the thriftiest menus at little fish and chips establishments. There are also a few prix-fixe establishments such as the Chancery Restaurant that serve reasonably priced three-course meals.

Mutton is a must-try for all visitors to New Zealand. There are more than 45 million sheep farmed in this country, and restaurants across Christchurch serve this delicacy in a variety of styles. Also worth sampling is the venison and ostrich, both of which are farmed in New Zealand. Fresh seafood receives rave reviews from guests, particularly the crayfish, New Zealand green mussels, and fish like salmon, grouper and flounder.

New Zealand wines are also not to be missed, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sample a glass or two in the city’s dining establishments. In many cases (due to liquor-licensing laws), restaurants permit guests to bring their own bottle of wine in exchange for a modest corkage fee. New Zealand’s best wines are bright, fruity whites like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Drier whites like Chardonnay are also well-established here.

A Maori hangi (or barbecue) is an interesting cultural experience that combines mealtime with elements of Maori culture. The cuisine typically includes vegetables, seafood and meats—all of which are steamed in an underground barbecue. Traditionally dances and storytelling are also included, making attending one of these events an insightful experience.

Anyone visiting New Zealand is sure to fall in love with the local outdoor scene. There are three beaches within short distance of the city centre that are accessible by bus: Sumner (bus number 30), and Taylor’s Mistake and New Brighton beaches (bus number 5). The latter is popular with surfers. Travel agents in the city centre can arrange equipment hire for cycling tours, catamaran cruises and wildlife-spotting tours. For a more leisurely outdoor excursion, simply strolling through the Garden City’s parks and green spaces (especially the Botanic Gardens) can be quite relaxing.

Cycling
Christchurch is well-suited for cycling, and many of the streets through the city centre are outfitted with designated cycling lanes. Additionally, there are plenty of places to park and lock a bicycle while shopping or exploring on foot. A number of cycling outfitters throughout Christchurch hire out road bikes and safety equipment at half- and whole-day rates. Outside the city, mountain biking is popular on Mount Cavendish. Mountain biking outfitters offer packages that couple uphill rides on the gondola, meaning you can glide to the top and bike to the bottom without having to haul your own equipment.

Harbour Cruises
A number of tour operators offer cruises through the scenic harbour areas along the South Island coastline. Lyttelton Harbour is a mere 15-minute drive from Christchurch, and cruises here specialise in revealing Hector’s dolphins and blue penguins. In this harbour, you’ll also find the Ripapa Island Historic Reserve, which has served as an exile island, a fortified outpost and an ancient Maori village. Akaroa Harbour is farther away, and tourists travel here to view wildlife, visit the Cathedral Cave, and see the salmon aqua-cultural project. Akaroa is also famous as a former French colony, and visitors will find a subtle difference in the architecture here.

Swimming With Dolphins
A rare breed of dolphins, the miniature Hector’s dolphin, resides in Akaroa Harbour. This picturesque township can be reached via a 1-hour, 30-minute drive from Christchurch city centre, and dolphins can be found here in all seasons. Touring agencies arrange first-hand encounters between visitors and these unique mammals, and packages include the options of underwater encounters or removed observation from aboard a catamaran. Companies provide all the necessary equipment including wetsuits, snorkels and masks. Many of these cruises also offer light refreshments and hot beverages along the way.