Trams • Observation Decks & Towers
Admission tickets from $42
Christchurch Landmarks
Top Sights in Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch Landmarks
Category types
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Good for
88 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (164)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Mountains • Historic Walking Areas
Historic Sites • Gardens
Lookouts • Geologic Formations
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Open now
Historic Walking Areas • Hiking Trails
Neighbourhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
What travellers are saying
- Tony M7 contributionsThe lower station was easy to find, either by car or by bus from the main bus terminal. Helpful staff who were on hand to make sure you boarded safely. The top station had viewing platforms and access to walk around outside. The cafe had a good range of reasonably priced snacks and light bites - we shared the seafood platter which was plenty for two as a light lunch. The views from either the platform or walking round were stunning as to be expected. We also went on the discovery ride which was surprisingly good! You felt hot near the volcano and smelt the fire burning from the settlers! A great multi sensory experience for everyone. A must do visit from Christchurch.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rosemary W30 contributionsBeautiful scenery and very quiet.
Museum at Akaroa is interesting. I now know how many pints are in a peck. And how many pecks are in a bushel.
As in "Peter picked a peck of pickled pepper."Written 21 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tony M7 contributionsVery interesting history behind the development of this ‘temporary’ place of worship. The guides we spoke to were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the background to its creation, the use of sustainable materials and its role in the community in the future. It was also great to meet a guide who came from our home town in England! Small world!
A moving experience to learn more about the impact of the 2011 earthquake.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,118 contributionsI enjoyed my visit to Riccarton House and Bush. Since there was a Heritage Festival in Christchurch during the second half of October, I was able to book a special tour of Riccarton House at half the cost of the regular tour. Riccarton House was built in 1856 by the widow of one of the first settlers in the area. The house was extended in 1874 and doubled in 1900. The sideboard in the kitchen had the original William Morris wallpaper behind it. It was an interesting house tour by a knowledgeable guide.
Nearby is the original building on the property, Deans Cottage. Unfortunately, it is closed during weekends.
The area surrounding Riccarton House is called Riccarton Bush and Jane Deans wanted to make sure this bushland would be preserved. Parliament passed a law keeping it forever wild. There are two loop walks through the bush. A predator-proof fence keeps out unwanted predators. A highlight of the walking trail was The Grove. It features kahikatea trees, the tallest native tree in New Zealand. It can grow up to 200 feet tall, though the ones in Riccarton Bush are only 100 feet tall.Written 7 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lenny HAuckland, New Zealand1,035 contributionsFaçades that would look at home in California. Vibrantly coloured buildings. Lots of hospitality options. Watch out for the tram.Written 31 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MomelcoDenver, CO558 contributionsPort Hills is a short distance from Christchurch and offers many different trails/tracks to hike, which are bucketed under the following broader areas:
- Victoria Park, Sugarloaf Circuit
- Bowenvale Reserve Walks
- Mt. Vernon Park and Rapaki Walks
- Halswell Quarry Walks
- Bridle Path to Godley Head Walks
- Crater Rim Walkway
- Kennedys Bush and Ohinetahi Walks
- Head to Head Walkway and Harbour Walks
I had limited time and ended up hiking the Maori Gardens Track, which is part of the Head-to-head Walkway. It's located off of Sandy Beach Road near Sandy Bay and estimated to take 30 minutes. The street is a side street and can easily be missed. There is limited parking and a port-a-potty or port-a-loo although it did not look well-maintained.
The trail is really narrow and not marked well. The end of the track comes to an abrupt end when it intersects or meets the Governor’s Bay Road. You essentially need to turn around and go back. The views are pretty and if you have limited time, would recommend this track.Written 9 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,118 contributionsI spent much of the afternoon at Mona Vale Garden Park. The Gatehouse was built in the early 1900s as staff quarters for the gatekeeper and then a succession of gardeners. The Avon runs through Mona Vale. The Homestead is now a restaurant.
The gardens were lovely. It is a nice place for a stroll. The Fernery was originally part of the New Zealand International Exhibition in 1906-1907. While I was waiting for the bus to return to the city centre, I sat on a bench and watched the ducks by the Avon.Written 8 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lenny HAuckland, New Zealand1,035 contributionsOne of the many different bridges across the Avon. This was has historical significance. If you’re lucky you get to see itbeithoutbtraffic on it.Written 31 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Katyles146 contributionsWalked this track with friends who live in New Zealand, I live in the Canadian prairies so I found the elevation more challenging than everyone else but it was only about 35/40 minutes. The views were beautiful and seeing the old WW2 outpost was interesting.
I did not bike but I’ve heard there are great challenging mountain biking trails as well.Written 1 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lenny HAuckland, New Zealand1,035 contributionsTo be honest, the building is more interesting than what is in it. The shops are overrated. The Rutherford Den was well worth a visit (and it’s free).Written 31 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KBofLBLittleborough, UK584 contributionsThis review is about the Transitional Cathedral.' The cardboard tubes atop the 'container' walls have led to it being called 'The Cardboard Cathedral'. It is set out in an understated way to retain solemnity whilst reflecting the determination to be undaunted by the 2011 earthquake. In the circumstances it is a remarkable building.
The shape of the building reminds me of the Arctic Cathedral at Tromso in Norway.Written 19 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,118 contributionsAlongside the Avon River is the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, opened in 2017. It is a peaceful place to contemplate the losses from the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.
Prior to the construction of the national memorial, there was a poignant temporary earthquake memorial consisting of 185 white chairs, one for each person killed in the quakes. The chairs were all different, just like the casualties. Unfortunately, the White Chairs Memorial was dismantled a few years ago.Written 7 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sasha & TroyChristchurch, New Zealand142 contributionsThe views around every corner were amazing especially on a beautiful summers day. However some very small parts of the track and surrounds have collapsed in a little bit but it doesnt effect the walk.Written 8 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karen.Derby, UK119 contributionsWe went during the evening food fair. Really enjoyed the atmosphere. Good food. Not much choice of drinks. Good Icecream and waffles. Live music. Loved the tram and train and going into the old buildings. Learnt lots. Enthusiastic staff. Would go again.Written 8 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KBofLBLittleborough, UK584 contributionsWhilst this may not, at first glance, meet the image of an international cricket ground, its context has to be appreciated. Following the 2011 earthquake a replacement ground was needed. This ground is open to all as part of Hagley Park South except when it is fenced off for major cricket matches. In those circumstances it is well set out with an embankment most of the way round the ground and a plateau where spectators can pitch their own chairs. The arrangements worked well, but wet weather would be a problem. It reminded me of the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui.Written 22 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
