Why You Should Add Christchurch To Your New Zealand Itinerary
With it’s southern counterpart Queenstown being know as “the adventure capital of the world,” Christchurch often gets overlooked by travelers headed to New Zealand. There is still a lot to see and do there, however, and if you’re coming from an international destination you may well be passing through anyway given its convenient international airport.
Now, while you’re in New Zealand you should absolutely make time for the more traditional destinations as well. But here, we will share some of the best things to do in Christchurch, just to make sure you don’t overlook a gem of a destination hidden in plain sight!
One of the must dos in Christchurch is explore the outdoors and the area’s stunning coastline. The best place to do this is probably at Godley Head, where you can to hike along dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean and possibly catch a glimpse of some unique wildlife – the area is known to be home of a colony of adorable penguins. You can explore the Godley Head walkway to get the full experience, or you can settle down with a picnic and a blanket at Taylor’s Mistake beach.
Other popular spots around Christchurch are outdoors as well. The city is home to its own Botanic Gardens where, unlike in many cities, admission is completely free! The Gardens display some stunning fountains and floral collections, and are part of the broader Hagley Park. This park has been around since the 1800s and is over 400 acres in size, making it the perfect place to go for a leisurely walk, or even a bike ride
In addition to its stunning natural attractions, Christchurch also has its own rugby team, the Crusaders, that is part of the Super Rugby league. Although they’re not quite the legendary All-Blacks (the famously dominant New Zealand national team), the Crusaders have won their fair share of league titles, and can certainly give you a taste of world-class rugby. This sport should generally be seen as a must-see anytime you’re in New Zealand, given the quality of the athletes and the intensity of the fans. Between the storied history of the game, the legendary aura of the All-Blacks, and the availability of legal sports betting sites in New Zealand, a great deal of passion and enthusiasm is poured into the rugby scene by the locals. And whether or not you know the history of the national team, or you choose to bet on the action yourself, taking it all in can be one of the most unique things you do. Christchurch is a great place to do it!
As a final reason to check out Christchurch (but there are many many more) concerns the surrounding wine region. there are 90 vineyards located an hour’s drive away or less, making it nearly impossible to drive anywhere outside the city without passing one. These spots are all part of the North Canterbury wine region, which is best known for its pinot noir, chardonnay, and riesling varietals. And even if you aren’t a big wine drinker, you might want to consider touring some of the vineyards. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and a lot of the places you visit will have great local food to sample as well.
This list is only a mere taste of all there is to do in Christchurch. There are spas, adventure activities, all sorts of bars and restaurants, art galleries and museums, and more. But hopefully the favorites listed above have given you the spark you needed to consider this specific destination in New Zealand.