How To Spend 7 Days in Christchurch, New Zealand | Your Ultimate Christchurch Travel Guide

Welcome back to our Sixth Series! For Episode 8 we will be sharing How To Spend 7 Days in Christchurch. After spending 3 months in Christchurch we have put together an itinerary for the top things to do in Christchurch to help you plan your next trip.

For Day 1 we would suggest getting to know Christchurch city and the Botanic Gardens. Christchurch is a beautiful city filled with hidden gems and plenty of quirky places for food and drink. Try taking a Christchurch city tour by foot, boat or tram. Then grab a bite to eat are the Riverside Markets located just off of the tram route by the Bridge of Remembrance and Memorial Arch. Inside you will find a wide range of different cuisines and bars with a view of the Avon River (A Christchurch Icon). Another recommendation for Christchurch food is Five Lanes. Filled with local cafes and shops it's a great way to spend half a day enjoying the city. To walk off the food take a walk through Hagley Park, this hidden treasure has a wide range of native and formal gardens to explore.

For Day 2, head North along the coast for a few free things you need to do in Christchurch. Checking out the local beaches. We suggest The Pines Beach, Waikuku Beach and Leithfield Beach. All within half an hour of one another and all offering breathtaking views of the mountains from the coast. Something we have never experienced before

Day 3, try out New Brighton Beach. One of Canterbury's longest beaches this stunning place is great for long walks and a great lookout point on New Brighton Pier. After a nice long walk, you can relax in a Christchurch must do experience, the Hot Pools by the Sea. With plunge pools, steam rooms and of course hot pools, we found it a great place to enjoy the calming waves of New Brighton Beach.

For Day 4, Sumner Beach is a beautiful beach with a quaint seaside town offering plenty of places to soak up the sun. Sumner Social Restaurant is a great stop off for food and drinks on the sea front so you don't miss out on any of the action.

Day 5, head up to Victoria Park to check out the views of Christchurch and the Southern Alps which are unreal. This was a local suggestion and it did not disappoint. Then head around Governors Bay into Lyttelton. This beautiful harbour side town is full of market stalls if you are there on the Saturday (market day) and wonderful views. After wandering through the markets be sure to walk round Lyttelton Port, Te Ana Marina and end up at Naval Point for the best views of the harbour and the South Pacific Ocean.

For Day 6, explore New Zealand's hidden gems in Banks Peninsula. Take a car through the town of Little River to Okains Bay and Akaroa. Little River hosts an art gallery and a SiloStay. Yes it's exactly as it sounds, you can stay the night in a Silo. These unique stays are situated right next to the art gallery and a great stop off to Okains Bay. Okains Bay is a stunning bay and beach with mountain views and a campsite if you decide to tour New Zealand by camper. The final stop and one of our favourite places around Christchurch is Akaroa. Home to the native Hectors Dolphins this harbour side town has boat tours to check out the local sealife, stunning restaurants to watch the sunset behind the mountains and great walks around the harbour.

For Day 7, the final day in Christchurch, it wouldn't be complete without a Christchurch South Island day road trip itinerary. Start the day by venturing out to Sheffield for the World Famous Sheffield Pies. Once stocked up on the local delicacy's head out to the secluded Lake Coleridge. This serene lake will have you at peace with the deafening silence of the Mountains. Once you've relaxed by the lake, get back on the road to the grand limestone rock battlement of Castle Hill for an explore of an adults playground. Grab some lunch and spot yourself some Kea at Arthurs Pass Alpine village before watching the sunset at the camping ground of Lake Pearson.

Is this the best city in New Zealand? What do you think?

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Riverside Markets - https://riverside.nz/
Five Lanes - https://fivelanes.co.nz/
Hot Pools By The Sea - https://www.hepunataimoana.co.nz/
Sumner Social Restaurant - https://www.sumnersocial.co.nz/
Silo Stay - https://www.silostay.kiwi.nz/
Black Cat Boat Tours - https://www.blackcat.co.nz/
World Famous Sheffield Pies - https://sheffieldpies.co.nz/

Filmed from May - July 2024.