10 Things To Do In Christchurch in Summer
Christchurch is one New Zealand’s largest, and arguably best cities to visit in the summer.
With average temperatures hovering around 24 degrees, and rainfall being far less prevalent than in other parts of the country, it makes for a lovely place to explore. Both for international and Kiwi visitors.
If you are planning a short break, or a two-week holiday to this popular South Island city, you will find yourself presented with plenty of options of things you can see and do.
From bungy jumping and jet boating to art galleries and wine tours, the list of activities is endless.
In fact, such is the breadth of choice, it can get overwhelming knowing which ones to pick. Which is why we have put together this list of 10 things to do in Christchurch in summer.
Containing something for everyone, you might need to hire a car rental in Christchurch to complete all the activities on this list. But if you do, it will give you an awesome taste of what makes this city such a great one to visit.
Ride the Christchurch Gondola
For the first time visitor one of the best ways to get your bearings around the city is to take the iconic Christchurch Gondola.
Whilst it might not be quite as revered as the one at Rotorua or Queenstown, the views you will get from the top of it are no less impressive.
As you ascend to the summit, some 1460 meters above sea level, you will get a panoramic exposure of the city itself, as well as Lyttelton Harbour, Canterbury Plains, Pegasus Bay, the Pacific Ocean and even the imperious silhouette of the Southern Alps.
The base station is in Heathcote Valley, about a 15-minute drive from the CBD. From there, the entire journey up to the summit takes about 10 minutes and covers a distance of a kilometre. Each gondola can accommodate four people.
Once at the top of the summit you can also choose to undertake several walking trails, of varying degrees of difficulty, which further showcase the splendid views. You can also visit the famous Red Rock Cafe as well.
See the city by tram
As well as seeing the city from the vantage point of the gondola, another great way to get your bearings is by taking the tram.
A very unique and splendid way to explore all Christchurch’s main attractions, the tram was originally built in 1880.
Operating in a similar way to the hop on, hop off bus tours that are popular in most cities around the world, overall, it has 17-stops within its loop. Which you can board or alight it anytime you want. Some of the stops include the Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Avon River and New Regent Street.
One of the coolest things about riding the tram is that the driver also relates interesting titbits and points out historical sites of interest as you traverse the route.
If you really fancy making an experience of it, then why not consider booking the Tramway Restaurant tour. This includes a fabulous 4-course dinner, as well as a welcome drink, and really takes the sightseeing experience to another level.
Go Jet boating
If the thought of a tram ride is a little too slow paced for you, then how about jet boating?
Perfect for adrenaline junkies, the opportunity to zip around the Waimakariri River on a high-speed jet boat ride is one that shouldn’t be missed.
Lovingly called ‘The Waimak’ by locals, you can choose between several tour options. This includes the Braided Blast, which is a fabulous 30-minute adventure that will take you through the gorge, as well as the Canyon Safari. A one-hour jaunt that features plenty of 360-degree spins!
At top speed, the boats reach 85 km per hour, so these are not experiences for the faint of heart. That said, children aged 6 years and over are welcome, if accompanied by an adult.
The great thing about this tour is that it includes pick-up from most hotels in Christchurch. You can also choose between a morning or afternoon run.
Visit Sumner Beach
For all the wonderful sightseeing opportunities Christchurch affords, there are times when you might just want to chill out during your time in the city. At these times you should check out Sumner Beach.
Situated about a 20-minute drive from the CBD, the beach is a 400-meter oasis of fine white sand, that serves as the perfect place to relax.
This beach is lifeguarded in the summer, so is a safe spot to go for a swim. It also has a bustling boardwalk style esplanade which skirts the entire length of the beach. Housing a lovely mix of cafes, eateries, restaurants, and boutique retail outlets.
If you are into surfing, you might want to check out Scarborough Beach, which is nestled at the eastern end of Sumner Beach and has some decent sized swell.
Bungy Jumping
Bungy jumping – not bungee as it spelt elsewhere – is a quintessential New Zealand experience, and in Christchurch it is a ‘must-do’ activity.
You will have to drive 90 minutes from the CBD to get to Hanmer Springs, which is where the jump site is located. But once there you will be able to embark on a 35-metre plummet from the historic Waiau Ferry Bridge towards the freezing blue waters below.
As a rule, you won’t get wet – unless, of course, you want to. As the guides can adjust the length of the rope to ensure your hair, or head, breaks the surface of the water.
As the jump is only 35 metres, and therefore not as high as some of New Zealand’s other bungy experiences, this is a terrific option for first timers.
There is even a tandem option you can choose to do too, should you not want to do it alone.
All up, the jump takes about 30 minutes to complete. Once you have done it, you will be issued with a certificate. You can also choose to pay extra for a photo or video of your jump.
Wander the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
For those who enjoy a more sedate feet-on-the-ground type of experience, a visit to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens may well be right up your street.
Spread across 52 acres, this stunning garden has four main parts. Each of which is dedicated to a different season.
For instance, the summer section features plenty of gorgeous roses, while the spring sections showcase lots of daffodils.
As well as the flowers, there is also a unique selection of art on display within the gardens, while kids will enjoy the playground and paddling pool that features onsite too.
Best of all, entrance to the gardens is free and they open every day from 7 am until late in the summer.
Go on a wine tour
New Zealand enjoys a worldwide reputation for producing some outstanding wines. If you are an oenophile, then a visit to the Waipara Wine Region is something you should definitely do.
Located an hour’s drive from the CBD, this wine region is considered to be one of New Zealand’s best.
On account of its warm summer temperatures and low rainfall the climate here is ideal for producing wine. Overall, there are 90 different wineries you can visit in Waipara, the majority of which are run by small, family owned and operated ventures.
Tastings at their cellar doors are wonderful experiences, with the likes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling being the speciality here.
There are plenty of wineries that you can visit, either on organised tours from Christchurch, or independently (sometimes by appointment). Some of the most prestigious of them include Terrace Edge Winery, Waipara Hills and Waipara Springs.
Christchurch Art Gallery
For those wanting to experience the city’s cultural delights, the Christchurch Art Gallery is an excellent place to go.
Opened in 1932, as the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, it was sadly devastated by the 2011 earthquake, only re-opening four years later after extensive reconstruction works.
Today, the building is arguably the most striking structure in the city, boasting an eye-catching metal and glass façade, which has been designed to mirror the nearby flow of the Avon River.
All up there are nine separate exhibition areas here, which showcase the work of both local and international artists.
Its open from 10 am to 5 pm every day of the week, and often runs some interesting events too.
Go whale watching
Whales are wonderful creatures! So, what better thing to do in Christchurch during the summer than to go whale watching?
To do this, you will need to drive about 2.5 hours to the town of Kaikoura – which is famous for its marine life like whales, dusky dolphins and seals – and book a tour from there.
Alternatively, you can sign up for one that will pick you up from your hotel in Christchurch.
There are several tours available, some of which even include lunch and wine tasting at one of the regions prominent wineries.
Whichever tour you pick, whilst on the cruise, your guide will provide you with a wealth of information about the whales and other creatures you might encounter.
Sightings are not guaranteed, but there is a strong chance that you will see dolphins or a sperm whale.
Lord Of The Rings Tour
Not only is Lord of the Rings a brilliant, high-fantasy novel. It also, arguably, brought New Zealand into the consciousness of international tourism, as a result of the incredible scenery that was showcased in its film.
As many of the scenes from the movie were filmed on location in the South Island, fans of it can undertake a ‘Lord of The Rings tour’, which highlights some of the most notable of them.
This includes the likes of Mount Sunday, within the Hakatere Conservation Park, which featured in the Two Towers film as Edoras, the Rohan people’s capital city.
The tour will take you to a few other locations too and includes pick up and drop off at your hotel, as well as a picnic lunch and wine.
Final Thought
So, there you have it! Our recommendation of 10 things to do in Christchurch in summer.
While this list merely scratches the surface of all this fantastic city in New Zealand has to offer, it should provide a wide variety of options to make your visit a truly memorable one.
If you are planning a visit to Christchurch, it is also worth taking note of these 7 tips for seeking urgent medical care while travelling.
Hopefully you won’t need to use them. But it’s always good to be prepared for an emergency!