Ollie's Guidebook to Christchurch
Experiences and Activities to do
An iconic Christchurch walk that takes you to the Summit Road, with beautiful views of Christchurch and over to Lyttelton Harbour. A two minute drive from home.
50 locals recommend
Rapaki Track
66-26 Rapaki RdAn iconic Christchurch walk that takes you to the Summit Road, with beautiful views of Christchurch and over to Lyttelton Harbour. A two minute drive from home.
Mountain bike adventure park, cafe, ziplining chairlift and a good walk!
You can hike up the hill then enjoy the gondola for free on the way down - followed by a coffee or drink in the cafe.
100 locals recommend
Christchurch Adventure Park
225 Worsleys RoadMountain bike adventure park, cafe, ziplining chairlift and a good walk!
You can hike up the hill then enjoy the gondola for free on the way down - followed by a coffee or drink in the cafe.
Diamond Harbour is one of my favourite places to go, via the ferry boat from Lyttelton. A short 10 minute ride takes you to the little village of Diamond Harbour. Here you can enjoy ice cream, a lovely cafe and a beautiful, scenic walk around the coastline.
8 locals recommend
Diamond Harbour Ferry
Diamond Harbour is one of my favourite places to go, via the ferry boat from Lyttelton. A short 10 minute ride takes you to the little village of Diamond Harbour. Here you can enjoy ice cream, a lovely cafe and a beautiful, scenic walk around the coastline.
A short drive to a Christchurch favourite beach - Sumner.
Here you can swim, surf, shop, dine, drink, walk and enjoy this beautiful area!
22 locals recommend
Sumner Beach
A short drive to a Christchurch favourite beach - Sumner.
Here you can swim, surf, shop, dine, drink, walk and enjoy this beautiful area!
Great beach in the summer and awesome coastal walks and tracks year round. Best access by car only.
From Taylors Mistake - Godley Head walk: 3 hours return. The walkway passes historic military buildings with spectacular views of the city, New Brighton Beach and on a clear day the Southern Alps. Make sure you keep your eyes out to sea and on the rocks below - you may spot a seal, dolphin or even a whale
17 locals recommend
Taylors Mistake - Awaroa / Godley Head Walk
229 Taylors Mistake RdGreat beach in the summer and awesome coastal walks and tracks year round. Best access by car only.
From Taylors Mistake - Godley Head walk: 3 hours return. The walkway passes historic military buildings with spectacular views of the city, New Brighton Beach and on a clear day the Southern Alps. Make sure you keep your eyes out to sea and on the rocks below - you may spot a seal, dolphin or even a whale
New Brighton hot pools on the beach front has recently opened, offering stunning ocean views while relaxing in one of 5 pools. An easy 15 minute drive from home!
23 locals recommend
He Puna Taimoana
195 Marine ParadeNew Brighton hot pools on the beach front has recently opened, offering stunning ocean views while relaxing in one of 5 pools. An easy 15 minute drive from home!
Christchurch is known as the Garden City so why not experience some of the finest gardens. The Botanic Gardens are connected to Hagley Park, making it the biggest, open green space in Christchurch.
Visit the Green Houses to see exotic flowers and plants, take a walk through the bush or relax at Ilex cafe, located in the gardens.
297 locals recommend
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rolleston AvenueChristchurch is known as the Garden City so why not experience some of the finest gardens. The Botanic Gardens are connected to Hagley Park, making it the biggest, open green space in Christchurch.
Visit the Green Houses to see exotic flowers and plants, take a walk through the bush or relax at Ilex cafe, located in the gardens.
Shopping
Boutique shopping, just a short walk away.
Great bar and cafes here too.
205 locals recommend
The Tannery
3 Garlands RdBoutique shopping, just a short walk away.
Great bar and cafes here too.
Food scene
A lovely cafe, just a short walk from home at The Tannery. Great coffee and delicious cabinet and menu food.
Mitchelli's Cafe Rinato
3 Garlands RdA lovely cafe, just a short walk from home at The Tannery. Great coffee and delicious cabinet and menu food.
Enjoy some good beer and two for one pizza on a Tuesday night. Again, just up the road at The Tannery.
29 locals recommend
Cassels & Sons Brewing
3 Garlands RdEnjoy some good beer and two for one pizza on a Tuesday night. Again, just up the road at The Tannery.
The Gelato Lab
132 Opawa RdTraditional handmade gelato - perfect for an afternoon stroll and treat!
A vibrant city centre indoor market is full of life, colour and fun.
An awesome place to dine, shop and transforms in the evening to a great night spot!
99 locals recommend
Riverside Market
96 Oxford TerraceA vibrant city centre indoor market is full of life, colour and fun.
An awesome place to dine, shop and transforms in the evening to a great night spot!
Pizza, pasta, tiramisu – all staples of a cuisine we know and love. Francesca’s Kitchen is a slice of authentic,
rustic Italian cuisine and hospitality in the heart of the garden city bringing you all your favourite Italian dishes.
Whether you’re after a perfect woodfired pizza and prosecco before a visit to the theatre, a light lunch or a feast,
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen will not disappoint. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, this authentic spot is bound to have you saying “si,si!” to another visit.
12 locals recommend
Francesca's Italian Kitchen
149 Gloucester StPizza, pasta, tiramisu – all staples of a cuisine we know and love. Francesca’s Kitchen is a slice of authentic,
rustic Italian cuisine and hospitality in the heart of the garden city bringing you all your favourite Italian dishes.
Whether you’re after a perfect woodfired pizza and prosecco before a visit to the theatre, a light lunch or a feast,
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen will not disappoint. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, this authentic spot is bound to have you saying “si,si!” to another visit.
A 5 minute drive from home. this is one of my favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Cafe by day and delicious Italian food in the evening. Always busy and often just enjoy a takeaway pizza on a Friday night. Bookings are a must!
17 locals recommend
The Birdwood (Please go to our website to make any bookings)
76 Malcolm AveA 5 minute drive from home. this is one of my favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Cafe by day and delicious Italian food in the evening. Always busy and often just enjoy a takeaway pizza on a Friday night. Bookings are a must!
Sightseeing
Lovely little spot over the hill from Christchurch. Village atmosphere and gorgeous views. Check out the Saturday farmers market for local produce.
99 locals recommend
Lyttelton
Lovely little spot over the hill from Christchurch. Village atmosphere and gorgeous views. Check out the Saturday farmers market for local produce.
A day trip away ...
A favourite ski resort for locals. Good snow and tracks - less than two hours away
32 locals recommend
Mt Hutt Ski Area
A favourite ski resort for locals. Good snow and tracks - less than two hours away
Arthur's Pass is a small town that is the base for exploring one of NZ's best national parks. The drive there is reason enough to make the effort!
Plenty of walks along the way, like Castle Hill rocks and some great short and half-day walks right in the village.
The Devils Punchbowl Waterfall is right there on its doorstep as a reward for when you arrive!
Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass is a small town that is the base for exploring one of NZ's best national parks. The drive there is reason enough to make the effort!
Plenty of walks along the way, like Castle Hill rocks and some great short and half-day walks right in the village.
The Devils Punchbowl Waterfall is right there on its doorstep as a reward for when you arrive!
Akaroa is a French settled town with amazing food and beautiful scenery - perfect for a day trip away from the city.
The small town offers some brilliant opportunities like swimming with the native Hector Dolphins in the wild and the excellent Akaroa Cooking School which uses ingredients sourced locally.
There's many scenic walks and things to see in Akaroa, including local boutique shops.
162 locals recommend
Akaroa
Akaroa is a French settled town with amazing food and beautiful scenery - perfect for a day trip away from the city.
The small town offers some brilliant opportunities like swimming with the native Hector Dolphins in the wild and the excellent Akaroa Cooking School which uses ingredients sourced locally.
There's many scenic walks and things to see in Akaroa, including local boutique shops.
Surrounded by mountains, forests, and crisp air,
Hanmer Springs is an alpine spa village worth
exploring and the perfect getaway.
You can do plenty – soak in thermal pools, explore the variety
of walking and biking tracks, indulge in a spa
treatment, enjoy a range of cuisines and wines
and more. Just 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch, the picturesque village of Hanmer Springs is thriving. There is a real buzz in the air and plenty to do, including relaxing in the award-winning thermal pools or enjoying a spa treatment, as well as treats for thrill seekers, like bungy jumping, and white-water rafting.
Treat yourself to a day away!
64 locals recommend
Hanmer Springs
Surrounded by mountains, forests, and crisp air,
Hanmer Springs is an alpine spa village worth
exploring and the perfect getaway.
You can do plenty – soak in thermal pools, explore the variety
of walking and biking tracks, indulge in a spa
treatment, enjoy a range of cuisines and wines
and more. Just 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch, the picturesque village of Hanmer Springs is thriving. There is a real buzz in the air and plenty to do, including relaxing in the award-winning thermal pools or enjoying a spa treatment, as well as treats for thrill seekers, like bungy jumping, and white-water rafting.
Treat yourself to a day away!