Christchurch

The Garden City on New Zealand's South Island, with a flat center for walking and cycling, rebuilt parts after the 2011 earthquake, and road and rail links to the Southern Alps and the coast.

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Christchurch, known in Māori as Ōtautahi, is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It sits on the east coast of the Canterbury Region, with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Banks Peninsula hills to the south. Most of the city is flat, about 20 meters above sea level, and the Avon River / Ōtākaro runs through the center past Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens. The city is called the Garden City for its many parks.

The 2011 earthquake caused severe damage in the central city, and rebuilding has continued since, with the Town Hall reopened in 2019. Gothic Revival buildings from the late 1800s survive, and the Port Hills give views over the city. In January the average daily high is about 22.6 °C, and in July about 10.9 °C. Christchurch is a gateway for trips to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, the West Coast and Kaikōura.

Christchurch in five

Fly in, then choose a directionTourism New Zealand lists flights from Auckland in about 1 hour 25 minutes and from Wellington in about 1 hour. Queenstown is about 1 hour 10 minutes by air or around 6 hours by road.Queenstown and Wānaka
Split long road legs in twoDunedin is about 5 hours by road, Queenstown about 6 hours and Nelson Tasman about 5 hours 15 minutes. Book a night on the way rather than driving a full day after a long flight.Dunedin
Give Akaroa a day or an overnightAkaroa is about 1 hour 20 minutes from the city on Banks Peninsula. The former French settlement has a harbor, dolphin cruises and, from October to April, a Saturday farmers market.
Check the TranzAlpine timetableThe TranzAlpine train runs from Christchurch over the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Check the operator's timetable and one-way options before you plan a loop that ends on the coast.Westland Tai Poutini
Use the Botanic Gardens as a rain bufferThe council-run Botanic Gardens have conservatories for wet weather, and the Arts Centre, Christchurch Art Gallery and CoCA sit in the central city. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens.

Things to do in Christchurch

See all attractions in Christchurch

Landmark · ChristchurchCanterbury Earthquake National MemorialAllow time to read the names on the memorial wall.

brown brick building near road during daytime

Museum · ChristchurchQuake CityConsider visiting early in your Christchurch trip for context on the city’s rebuilding.

Garden · ChristchurchChristchurch Botanic GardensVisit in spring for daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas; roses are a summer highlight.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ChristchurchPut the places you like in Christchurch on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Christchurch (CHC); taxis, shuttles, rideshare and public transport
Getting there: Direct flights from Auckland and Wellington; road links north and south
Getting around: Walk the center, ride the tram; hire a car for Akaroa
Best base: Central city near the Arts Centre and Botanic Gardens
Time needed: 2 days; 3 with Akaroa

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, settled
FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, settled
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Mild, clear
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Autumn color
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, frosty
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Coldest
AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring blossom
OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Cherry blossom
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, longer days
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Warm, busy

Average daily high and low in Christchurch, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Christchurch

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 11°
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 31%

Christchurch

02:20 AM

Wednesday, November 4

GMT+13

Today20°12°31%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 31%.
Thu24°10°34%Thursday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 34%.
Fri27°14°71%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 71%.
Sat24°12°25%Saturday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 25%.
Sun23°12°20%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 20%.
Mon17°13°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 10:44 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.779 NZD

Amount

Converted to

NZD · New Zealand Dollar

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Christchurch

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

Akaroaabout 1 hour 20 minutes by roadA former French settlement on Banks Peninsula with harbor cruises and dolphin trips.
Lytteltonon Banks Peninsula, by roadA harbor town that Tourism New Zealand lists with Akaroa for cafes and restaurants.
Kaikōura and Hurunuiby road on the Alpine Pacific Touring RouteA coastal and inland loop that combines alpine scenery with the Pacific coast.

Before you go to Christchurch

Akaroa and Canterbury day tripsCompare dolphin and coach toursCompare day trips

Car hire for the South IslandAirport rentals for a one-way loopCompare cars

eSIM for South Island roadsData before the Canterbury driveRead the guide

Insurance for a road tripRental excess and delays coveredRead the guide

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Rules for Christchurch, checked

Many nationalities need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before flying in. Check eligibility and apply on the official immigration site.Source
Declare food, plants and outdoor gear, including boots and tents, on your arrival card. Biosecurity checks are strict, and undeclared items risk a fine.Source
Possessing or sharing the live-stream footage of the 15 March 2019 mosque attacks is illegal in New Zealand. It is classed as objectionable material.
Dial 111 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in New Zealand.
Tipping is not expected in restaurants or taxis in Christchurch.

Plan around Christchurch

Dunedin

Victorian city and the Otago Peninsula

Read the guide Queenstown and Wānaka

The Southern Lakes by air or road

Read the guide South Island

Loops, distances and how many days

Read the guide Marlborough and Nelson

Sounds, wine and the Nelson base

Read the guide Westland Tai Poutini

The West Coast end of the TranzAlpine

Read the guide Renting a car abroad

Insurance and license checks first

Read the guide All of New Zealand

Both islands, entry rules and money

Read the guide

Christchurch FAQ

How many days do you need in Christchurch?

Two days cover the Botanic Gardens, the Arts Centre, the art gallery and a tram ride. Add a third day for Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, or leave the city after one night if your plan is the Southern Lakes.

Is Akaroa worth a day trip from Christchurch?

Yes if you like harbor towns. It is about 1 hour 20 minutes away, was founded as a French settlement in 1840 and has dolphin cruises. Stay a night if you want the Saturday farmers market, which runs from October to April.

How do you get from Christchurch to Queenstown?

Fly in about 1 hour 10 minutes, or drive about 6 hours. Fly if you have under a week; drive if you want time in Canterbury on the way, and plan a stop rather than a single day at the wheel.

Is Christchurch worth visiting after the earthquakes?

Yes. Tourism New Zealand describes a city that is being rebuilt, with new green space and heritage buildings side by side. Visit for the arts, food and gardens, not for a list of old landmarks.

Do you need a car in Christchurch?

Not for the center, which suits walking and the tram. You need one for Akaroa, the Port Hills or any loop through Canterbury. The airport lists rental cars, taxis, shuttles and rideshare for the first leg.