The largest metropolis in New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is a wonderful vacation spot to find the nation’s vibrant tradition and historical past. Once you’ve explored the town’s extra city choices – cafes, museums and artwork galleries – set your sights on the good outside and soak up Christchurch’s spectacular pure magnificence and gentle climate. From summer time music festivals and and wildlife encounters and scenic practice rides, listed here are the very best methods to spend a summer time in Christchurch in 2022 and 2023.
1. TranzAlpine Train Ride
As one of many world’s best inland rail journeys, the TranzAlpine line covers 223 kilometres of gorgeous South Island landscapes in slightly below 5 hours. The route passes by way of the long-lasting Canterbury plains, a patchwork of farmland criss-crossed by rivers and residential to the biggest assortment of Maori rock artwork within the nation, in addition to the world’s solely Ford Model T Railcar. As the practice continues by way of the Southern Alps, an impressive mountain vary extending alongside the size of the South Island, you may witness the splendour of the snow-capped Aoraki/Mount Cook, the very best mountain in New Zealand. Upon arriving in Greymouth, rent a automotive for a day or two to discover the West Coast and get your adrenaline pumping with extra lively out of doors pursuits, akin to journey rafting, skydiving and glacier hikes.
2. New Brighton
With a vibe akin to an English seaside city, the coastal suburb of New Brighton, roughly a 15-minute drive from Christchurch metropolis centre, hosts a energetic Seaside Market each Saturday. The market, held at New Brighton Mall, includes a vary of family-friendly reside leisure, from native buskers to bouncy castles; nice meals, together with artisanal breads, scrumptious doughnuts and recent produce; and distributors promoting handmade arts, crafts and jewelry. After making your approach across the market, head to famend café Switch to get your espresso repair earlier than a stroll on the suburb’s iconic pier, visiting the Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park or taking a stroll alongside the seaside to the mouth of the Waimakariri River.
3. Port Hills
Tucked between the town of Christchurch and the historic township of Lyttelton, the Christchurch Port Hills are the proper web site for nature-lovers to discover by bike. Large sections of the hills – remnants of the Lyttelton volcano that erupted thousands and thousands of years in the past – have been repurposed right into a cycle tracks for each superior riders and newbies. As nicely because the spectacular views, there’s additionally the possibility to catch the exceptional native natural world, which incorporates birds distinctive to New Zealand such because the wooden pigeon, in addition to different birds together with the fantail and shining cuckoo. For extra demanding trails, tackle the Godley Head mountain biking monitor. Conquer the difficult ascent from Evans Pass Road and you may be rewarded with a heavenly 360-degree view throughout the South Pacific Ocean.
4. North Canterbury Wine Region
Surrounding Christchurch to the east and the north, North Canterbury is a famend vacation spot that’s dwelling to over 90 family-run vineyards. The area’s distinctive local weather and soil sorts, together with the volcanic Banks Peninsula and the limestone-rich Waipara and Waikari valleys lead to extra concentrated and structured flavours – the realm is especially recognized for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Notable vineyards within the Waipara area embody Canterbury’s well-known Pegasus Bay Winery and Waipara Springs, the place the primary chardonnay vines had been planted in 1982. If you go to on a Saturday morning, head to the Amberley Farmers Market, the place you’ll discover a passionate group of growers and producers from the realm promoting their high quality items.
5. Orana Wildlife Park
Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s solely open-range zoo, and the one place within the nation the place you may see orangutans. Situated only a 15-minute drive from Christchurch Airport, the park is internationally famend for its involvement in conservation breeding programmes for endangered, unique and native species such because the New Zealand brown teal, blue duck and kiwi hen. Excitingly, earlier this 12 months, 4 younger Tasmanian devils grew to become the latest arrivals on the zoo as a part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Ambassador Programme. You can interact in a variety of actions on the park such because the every day kiwi feed at 1:30pm, which lets you stand up shut with New Zealand’s nationwide icon.
6. SCAPE Public Art Season 2022
Join in on this annual public artwork pageant with a variety of native and internationally famend artists, put collectively by SCAPE Public Art, an organisation that installs accessible, free up to date public artwork across the metropolis. The 2022 season will run from 5 November 2022 to 29 January 2023 and have exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, performances and free actions. This 12 months’s exhibition options native artists and collectives like Hye Rim Lee, Jon Jeet and Pacific Sisters together with worldwide artists like Nabuqi (Mongolia) and Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries.
Until 29 January 2023
7. Coca-Cola Christmas within the Park
This annual free music live performance is a beautiful approach to spend a Saturday night. Located at North Hagley Park, Christchurch’s largest city open house, Coca-Cola Christmas within the Park has been occurring in Auckland and Christchurch since 1994 and normally attracts a big and enthusiastic crowd. Anticipate a variety of New Zealand’s prime singers, dancers and musicians performing your all-time Christmas favourites and their very own hottest hits. For 2022 homegrown skills like Jackie Clarke, Nate Dousand, Sophie Maude and L.A.B will take to the stage.
On 26 November 2022
8. Electric Avenue
The a lot awaited 2023 version of Electric Avenue returns to Hagley Park subsequent 12 months and can characteristic a number of native and worldwide musicians. Headlining the occasion are two-time Grammy award-winning artist Lorde in addition to L.A.B, each from New Zealand. Other headlining acts embody Flume and Synthony – a surprising collaboration that options reside vocalists, an orchestra, DJs and a visible arts aspect.
On 25 February 2023
Singapore Airlines flies to Christchurch every day. To guide a flight, go to singaporeair.com