At the heart of Christchurch's reputation as the Garden City, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty. Showcasing flora and fauna of New Zealand and other parts of the world, the Gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand. With more than 1.1 Million visitors each year the Botanic Gardens are one of the Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions.

Visit the Christchurch Gondola for truly spectacular scenery. With breath-taking panoramic views of Christchurch, Lyttelton and beyond, the Gondola’s summit station also offers walking tracks, Christchurch Discovery Ride detailing the area’s history, a licensed café and a gift store. Only 15 minutes’ drive from central Christchurch and with Qualmark Gold accreditation, the Christchurch Gondola experience is a fantastic way to view the city from a different perspective.

Hop on board one of our heritage trams for an entertaining and informative tour of the inner city! Use the trams to explore must-see attractions including Riverside Market, the Botanic Gardens, the Bridge of Remembrance and New Regent Street. Your ticket is valid for one day and allows you to jump on and off the trams as you please at the various stops around the route, and the drivers offer an informative live commentary about the city and sights.

It's the ultimate Antarctic adventure! Experience the dramatic seasonal lighting in the four seasons of Antarctica show where it 'snows' every 6 minutes. Venture out on to 'the ice' from Scott Base to play in 'Antarctica' the snow & ice experience and survive an Antarctic storm! How long can you hold your hand in the icy Antarctic water? Hang out with Little Blue Penguins, buckle up for the famously exciting Hagglund ride and take an awesome simulated 4D Antarctic cruise. It's the closest you'll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition!

Our pop-up Museum at CoCA, 66 Gloucester Street, will be open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm from 14 July. Visit the temporary exhibition ‘Six Extinctions’ and meet some of the top predators of the past including Dunkleosteus, a giant armoured fish that terrorised the seas, Inostrancevia, a tiger-sized sabre-toothed beast, Postosuchus, a giant carnivorous reptile and a life-sized cast of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. At the pop-up Museum you’ll find an ongoing display of collection highlights and visitor favourites from the permanent galleries in the recently-closed Rolleston Avenue building.

See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.

Quake City tells stories of heroism and hope from the Canterbury earthquakes. This special exhibition from Canterbury Museum explains the science and the phenomenon of liquefaction – when the shaking liquefied the ground and it bubbled up burying street and sinking buildings. Quake City charts the aftermaths of the September 2010 and 22 February 2011 earthquakes and the extraordinary response of the emergency services, international rescue teams, the thousands of volunteers who pitched in to help – construction workers, the Student Volunteer Army, the Farmy Army – and the incredible resilience of Canterbury’s communities. The exhibition includes some of the objects which have defined the Canterbury earthquakes including the spire of Christ Church Cathedral and the clocks from the former railway station. Supported by major sponsor Toka Tū Ake EQC

Free admission* | Discover New Zealand’s military aviation story at the place where it all began. Engage with stories of the men and women who have helped shape New Zealand’s military aviation journey, and reflect on their service and sacrifice through years of war and peace. Explore the diverse collection at your own pace through immersive exhibitions, or join a free, guided ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. View the historic aircraft on display, embark on a Museum Hunt with the kids, or test your flying skills in the ‘Mosquito Mission’ flight simulator! Price: FREE Admission - *activity charges may apply. Opening Hours: Daily (except Christmas Day), 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Banks Peninsula near Christchurch, New Zealand is a must see for its stunning views, beautiful bays and quirky campgrounds. Little River is the gateway to the peninsula. The township has a hotel/pub, 2 cafes, a petrol station, art gallery, craft store and small museum. There are B&Bs, plus the Little River Campground in Okuti Valley Road. They have affordable campervan parks with power, cabins and tentsites set beside a river. The southern bays have some of the best surf, if you know the secret spots as well as good, safe swimming beaches, walking tracks and the Little River Rail Trail. It is a a place that is often over looked as tourists head to Akaroa. If you want to experience more than the usual, to get off the beaten track and really explore, ask at the craft station, which has an info centre.