Best Free Things to Do in Christchurch
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Christchurch
Best Free Things to Do in Christchurch
Category types
Types of Attractions
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
80 places 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.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Mountains • Historic Walking Areas
Bridges • Monuments & Statues
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Open now
What travellers are saying
- Annica MNew Zealand29 contributionsThe garden is nice. Flowers bloom and very relaxing to the eye. It's nice to unwind and walk around the area. Very calming place to be inWritten 12 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BelC0001Sydney, Australia990 contributionsThe relatively small number of artifacts on display was more than enough to respect just how big the entire collection is, and to look forward to a return visit to the permanent museum once it is back open, after full renovations.
If you walk around the Botanic Gardens you will see the permanent museum being renovated/rebuilt as the museum backs onto the Gardens.Written 12 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lar54Christchurch, New Zealand50 contributionsBeautiful Botanic gardens in Spring.Parked up and went wandering through the gardens out to Rolleston Ave ,sat down for a bit of lunch and finished back at bridge over river.Written 3 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kait60 contributionsGreat museum to visit. It is free. There are many rooms/spaces to explore. Lots
of interesting displays. A couple of hands on/games for kids. Staff on hand offering tours and information about the planes. Cafe on site too.Written 12 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Michael CDerby, UK1,981 contributionsWithin an easy drive from Christchurch, this is a very beautiful area, especially as you approach Akaroa. The road winds across the hills in a series of zigzags with great view all around. Little River is a great place to stop along the way.Written 30 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TR3SSEmerald, Australia61 contributionsMy 3 year old loved this playground and found plenty to do!
There's definitely a few pieces of equipment better suited to older kids but we managed 90mins here and still had to pry our daughter away at lunch time!
The food trucks are brilliant and offer parents and caregivers a coffee or snack.
A bit of shade might be nice especially during sunnier days!Written 22 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Suze333Perth, Australia31 contributionsOur guide, John, was absolutely brilliant. Not only did he dress the part but his dedication was clear and his knowledge phenomenal. He was an incredible host and I could have listened to him all day. Highly and thoroughly recommend. Easily he best experiences I have ever had looking at a heritage home and learning about its history and the family who created it and lived there.
Our self-guided walk around the ‘bush’ was also thoroughly enjoyable and our lunch in the beautifully preserved dining room was delicious.Written 15 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Paul BChesterfield, UK1,689 contributionsThis building is quite special as it is made from cardboard but when you are inside all you see is an amazing cathedral. Very innovative and wonderfulWritten 23 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- stokedsurfChristchurch, New Zealand15 contributionsSumner beach is great for swimming as it has flags, however Scarborough on the other side of Cave rock is an excellent place for surfing, especially if you are learning . Stoked Surf school is based right at cave rock.Written 2 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lucinda JWellington, New Zealand1,075 contributionsSuperb selection of deli food, super delicious wines in a truly world class settings it one definitely not to be missed.Written 31 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Julia @Scrumptious SolentSouthampton, UK4,381 contributionsA lovely green oasis in the city, this is a super river to walk along and enjoy seeing the botanic gardens, statues, people punting on the river - and a bit of wildlife too. We enjoyed seeing the longfin eels peeping out from the shadows - very large and impressive!Written 25 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ExploringLifeMoama, Australia2,187 contributionsWe were staying close by and decided to see if it looked as good in the flesh as on the Net. It was very appealing. We had a great night, ate at a marvellous restaurant, and observed and soaked up a good atmosphere, Many cafes would be open in the morning, where as the restaurants are open in the evenings. Great street to go and drink coffee, eat, or have a drink in.Written 9 February 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. - AllanJGJWellington, New Zealand4,211 contributionsI've never been much taken by the design of this building. Brilliant outside, but the inside has no flow and surprisingly little display space. But it's well worth a visit at the moment for the really excellent 'From here on the ground'. If much modern art with it's political messaging, its videos and its repetitious themes isn't for you then you'll probably enjoy this brilliantly-curated exhibition of New Zealand urban landscapes, many from the mid-20th century or earlier. While there's a number of artists you'd expect to see (Rita Angus for example) many, it's probably fair to say, are little known. There is a large range of pieces in various styles, all brilliant and redolent of their time and place. Highly recommended.Written 20 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NickyP54Bargara, Australia1,494 contributionsScenic spot to chill out. Watch the waves breaking, maybe dotted with a few surfers. Take a stroll along the pier towards the favourite fishing spots at the far end, or a wander along the extensive sandy shoreline. Beautiful views, especially to the south. Public hot pools close by also.Written 6 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
