Editor's picks
A local's shortlist — the places worth your time first, each with a tip.
The rebuilt central city & Te Pae
Culture · Between the Avon and Cathedral Square
A city centre substantially rebuilt since 2011 — the Riverside Market, the convention centre, the Margaret Mahy playground and a laneway district that did not exist before.
Local tip: The interesting part is what the rebuild chose to do rather than what it replaced. Walk from the Bridge of Remembrance up the Terrace to Riverside Market for lunch, then look at the cathedral in the square — still partly ruined, still argued about — because that argument is the clearest window into how the city feels about its own recovery.
Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor
Nature · The eastern suburbs along the Avon
Around 600 hectares of former residential red zone where 8,000 houses once stood, now grassland, regenerating native planting and trails.
Local tip: The strangest and most affecting place in New Zealand: kerbs, driveways and street trees survive with nothing behind them, and the streets run through open grass. Cycle it from Dallington out toward New Brighton. It is not a memorial and it is not signposted as anything — which is precisely why it lands.
Port Hills & the Crater Rim
Nature · Between the city and Lyttelton
The eroded rim of an old volcano, with walking and mountain bike tracks along the ridge and views over the city one way and the harbour the other.
Local tip: The Rapaki and Bridle Path tracks start from the suburbs and get you onto the ridge in under an hour. Check for track closures — parts of the hills have burned in recent summers and the fire risk here is taken seriously. The Christchurch Adventure Park chairlift is the lazy way up with a bike.
Lyttelton
Neighborhood · Through the tunnel, 15 minutes from the city
The port town on the far side of the hills — a working harbour, a strong music and food scene, and a Saturday farmers' market.
Local tip: Lyttelton was closer to the 2011 epicentre than the city was and it lost most of its main street, so what is there now was rebuilt by the people who stayed. It has an atmosphere the city centre does not. Take the ferry to Diamond Harbour rather than driving round.
Riccarton Bush & the Saturday market
Food · Riccarton, west of the centre
Six hectares of the original kahikatea floodplain forest that once covered the plains, fenced against predators, with the city's largest market alongside it.
Local tip: The bush is the last remnant of the forest the plains used to be, some of the trees over 600 years old, and the predator fence means you can hear birds you will not hear anywhere else in the city. The Riccarton market on Sunday mornings is the biggest in the South Island.
Ōpāwaho Heathcote and the Bottle Lake network
Hidden gemNature · South-east and north-east of the centre
The quieter river, and a working forest on the north-eastern edge threaded with mountain bike and running trails.
Local tip: Almost every visitor and a fair number of residents only know the Avon. Bottle Lake Forest is a pine plantation with a genuinely good trail network and a run through to the coast at Waimairi, and on a weekday you will have most of it to yourself. Free, ten minutes from the north-eastern suburbs, and completely unadvertised.
Explore 133 places across Christchurch
Museums, landmarks, monuments, heritage sites and parks — mapped, with photos. The most notable spots first.
Museums & galleries
(9)
MuseumCanterbury Museum
Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand
MuseumCentre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki
Art gallery in Christchurch, New Zealand
Museum
MuseumRobert McDougall Art Gallery
Art gallery in Christchurch, New Zealand
MuseumYaldhurst Museum
Museum in Yaldhurst, Christchurch, New Zealand
Down by the Liffey Gallery
Art gallery.
The Physics Room
Christchurch Central
Art gallery in Christchurch Central.
Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery
Avonhead
Museum in Avonhead.
Woodcraft Gallery
Art gallery.
Landmarks & architecture
(12)
LandmarkCathedral Square
Square in Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkHack Circle
Former amphitheatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, also known as Hack
LandmarkVictoria Square
Square in central Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkCranmer Square
Street and square in Christchurch
LandmarkLatimer Square
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkHamish Hay Bridge
Bridge in Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkJohn Burn Bridge
Bridge in Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkWorcester Street Bridge
Bridge in Christchurch, New Zealand
LandmarkKiwirail bridge 17
New Zealand bridge
Fort Jervois
Castle.
Ilam Homestead
Historic manor.
Cracroft Wilson House
Cashmere
Historic manor in Cashmere.
Monuments & memorials
(16)
Monument185 chairs
Memorial in Christchurch, New Zealand
MonumentCanterbury Pioneer Women's Memorial
New Zealand memorial
MonumentCanterbury Earthquake National Memorial
Official memorial for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake
MonumentPoppies over Gallipoli
Memorial in Christchurch, New Zealand
MonumentWoolston Borough Monument
New Zealand memorial
MonumentMemorial garden
Memorial garden at Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, new Zealand
MonumentChrist's College Memorial Dining Room, Christchurch
Historic building in Christchurch, New Zealand
MonumentKaiapoi war memorial
WWI memorial in New Zealand
MonumentWorld Peace Bell
New Zealand World Peace Bell
MonumentBernard Hansen's Memorial
Memorial in Sumner, New Zealand
MonumentNew Brighton Surf Bathing and Lifesaving Club Memorial
Memorial in New Brighton, Christchurch
MonumentPou Pou Monument
Monument in Christchurch
Royds Street Fountain
Historic monument.
The Landing
Memorial.
War Memorial
Memorial.
19th Inf Battallion
Memorial.
Places of worship
(44)
ReligiousAl Noor Mosque
Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousLinwood Islamic Centre
Islamic centre in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousCathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
New Zealand cathedral
ReligiousSt. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Christchurch
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousOxford Terrace Baptist Church
New Zealand church building
ReligiousChrist's College Chapel, Christchurch
Church building in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousChurch of St Michael and All Angels
New Zealand church building
ReligiousChurch of the Good Shepherd
Church building in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt John the Baptist Church, Christchurch
New Zealand Anglican church
Religious
ReligiousSt Paul's Church, Christchurch
Demolished church building in Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ReligiousCommunity of the Sacred Name (Former)
Former convent and chapel in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand (brick building demolished after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake)
ReligiousSt Andrew's Church
Church building in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousCashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
New Zealand church
ReligiousOur Lady of Victories Church
Church in Christchurch
ReligiousFirst Church of Christ, Scientist
Church building in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt John of God Halswell
New Zealand church building
ReligiousSt Luke's Church, Christchurch
Church building in Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Michael's Church School
Private full primary school in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Paul's Anglican Church, Papanui
Anglican church building in New Zealand
ReligiousChurch of St Saviour
Church building in Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ReligiousSydenham Heritage Church
Church building in Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ReligiousThe Octagon
Heritage building
ReligiousHoly Trinity Avonside
Church building in Canterbury Region, New Zealand
ReligiousKnox Church
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousKorean Presbyterian Church
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Paul's Lutheran Church, Christchurch
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt John's Church
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousTrue Jesus Church
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Mary's Church
New Zealand church
ReligiousChurch of St Mary the Virgin Historic Area
Church building in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Bartholomew's Church
New Zealand church
ReligiousSt Cuthbert's Church
Church building in Governors Bay, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Paul's Church
Church building in Tai Tapu, New Zealand
ReligiousMethodist Church
Church building in Kaiapoi, New Zealand
ReligiousChristchurch North Methodist Parish
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousRutland Street Church
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
ReligiousSt Matthews Anglican Church
Church in Christchurch
ReligiousHoly Trinity Anglican Church
Former church building in Lyttelton, New Zealand
ReligiousAll Saints Anglican Church
Church Burwood, Christchurch
ReligiousBurwood Christian Centre
Church in Christchurch
ReligiousGrace Vineyard Church - Beach Campus
Church in New Brighton, Christchurch
ReligiousSt Faith's Church, New Brighton
Church in Christchurch
ReligiousAll Souls Anglican Church, Christchurch
Church in Christchurch, New Zealand
Heritage & archaeology
(4)The Old Stock Yards
Historic ruins.
Jetty
Historic ruins.
Site of the Signalman's Hut
Historic ruins.
Te Kai-a-Te-Karoro
Archaeological site.
Parks & nature
(45)
ParkLancaster Park
Recreational area; former sports venue in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkChristchurch Botanic Gardens
Botanical gardens in New Zealand
ParkHagley Park
164.6-hectare park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkVictoria Park
New Zealand protected area on the Christchurch Port Hills
ParkOrton Bradley Park
Park in Charteris Bay, New Zealand
Park
ParkMona Vale
New Zealand historic building and park
Park
ParkChristchurch Adventure Park
Mountain biking park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkParkHagley Park North
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkHagley Park South
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkAbberley Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkPacke Street Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkSt Albans Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkBower Park
Park in Christchurch
ParkCornelius O'Connor Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkMerivale Village Green
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkSt James Park
Park in Papanui, Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkCashmere Village Green
Park in Cashmere, Christchurch
ParkPeacock's Gallop
New Zealand reserve and cliff
ParkRichmond Village Garden
Park in Richmond, Christchurch
ParkRichmond Community Garden
Park and community garden in Christchurch
ParkRichmond Park
Park in Christchurch
ParkBexley Park
Park in Christchurch
ParkSockburn Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkPlaces of Tranquillity
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkFerrier Park
Park in Avonhead, Christchurch near Avonhead School
ParkChesterfields
Community park in Chester Street East, Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkCreedon Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkGrampian Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkMarlene Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkRegents Park Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkMurchison Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkAlwyn Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkDunedin Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkJames Condon Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkOwen Mitchell Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkNorrie Park
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkMomorangi Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkPaddington Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkHeaphy Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkCraighead Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkGasson Reserve
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
ParkHigh Street Triangles
Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
More to explore
(3)Lookout Rock
Viewpoint.
Info Centre
Visitor attraction.
(white post)
Viewpoint.
Data from Wikidata (CC0) & OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Images via Wikimedia Commons — see each credit. Listings are community-maintained and may be incomplete or out of date — verify hours and access before visiting.
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