Christchurch Outdoor Adventures: Your Top 5 Activities

Christchurch, often thought of as the ‘Garden City’, is, too it’s almost, brimming with open-air fun! You get those gardens, that, and so much more just waiting to be explored. Let’s have a gander at five spots that really highlight what this South Island city has on offer.

1. Punting on the Avon River

Imagine drifting along the Avon River, right? Picture it, is that, like you’re being serenaded by the water while sitting comfortably in a flat-bottomed boat! It sounds pretty darn nice, doesn’t it! Punting in Christchurch isn’t just, actually, an activity; yet it’s quite like taking a gentle step back into the past, that. Skilled punters, rather, like your personal gondoliers, propel the boat using long poles, all while sharing bits of stories regarding Christchurch’s history as you float by. You may find yourself gliding past the Botanic Garden’s banks and beneath the willow trees—so dreamy!

Why it’s worth your time: It might be rather quiet and relaxing, arguably, if you want that. But it’s definitely quite an experience that presents a special view of the city from an otherwise quite relaxed perspective.

2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Speaking of gardens, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens! These are no simple park! These gardens really spread over 30 hectares (that’s like 74 acres, by the way) right at the core of the city, in a way showcasing an awesome array of flora, yet some rose gardens, conservatories crammed with tropical plants, and New Zealand’s native flora zones. That’s pretty awesome. Wander on foot at leisure, arguably discover peaceful nooks, or arguably tag along a tour to learn about the plants plus the history involved with these gardens! What is rather more awesome, actually, is these are usually quite stunning, no matter the season.

Don’t Miss: The Central Rose Garden usually explodes, obviously, right into color in summer, so, while the Cuningham House gives a warm escape during cooler days! I mean, seriously!

3. Hiking or Biking in the Port Hills

Want, that, some views and a tad of exercise, just a little? The Port Hills offer that, right, by the bucketload. These hills offer scenic views across Christchurch towards the Canterbury Plains as well as the Southern Alps that might make it appear you’re experiencing two things at once. A vast variety of hiking trails means that, no matter if you are in search of a brisk walk or some really hard-going trek, yet you can get it! Alternatively, arguably, grab the bicycle because that is where they are very epic routes just right for biking, clearly through those slopes.

Best Spot for Views: The Crater Rim Walk offers outstanding panoramas, while Victoria Park brings an array of routes suited usually to all degrees of fitness. You could be here all day if you let yourself be.

4. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Come over for a truly kiwi experience from close quarters at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Here’s a chance usually to encounter some rare birds! They protect the kiwi (yeah, that flightless bird) and other sorts, clearly, such as the tuatara. They’re only here! Wander from the trails right through to the reserve for viewing all of these remarkable creatures within these quite natural enclosures, so, then, a bit more regarding those conservation stories too regarding these precious creatures.

Really memorable experience: Consider, if you want to, is that, participating, as a matter of fact, on the Kiwi Encounter. Then get this, arguably get the prospect just for viewing those shy kiwi during feeding occasions!

5. International Antarctic Centre

Feeling that desire for an extremely chilly outdoor adventure? Pay a trip now and find out for that you do not, by any means, in reality have to depart New Zealand with respect to Antarctic experiences. That sounds rather amazing. You could possibly experience exactly how those problems tend to feel! So here’s your adventure for such simulated Antarctic environments as it includes simulated storms, perhaps! It includes these, too it’s almost, engaging displays offering all this info for this entire continent’s exploration along with also wildlife here.

Unique adventure: Experience getting this Hagglund ride that brings about quite an all-terrain Antarctic vehicle! It also presents about a peek through towards these problems. All this can seem slightly surreal.