MUSEUMS
Canterbury Museum
The Canterbury Museum first opened its doors in 1867, moving to its current premises in 1870. In its lifetime, the museum’s collection has evolved to include an incredibly diverse range of natural and human history pieces: think fossil bones, fossilised insects, Maori artifacts, Asian arts, and the world’s largest Antarctic-themed collection. Permanent exhibitions to check out include the Paua Shell House, Quake City, and the museum’s Early European Settlers display.
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand
As its name suggests, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand is set on preserving and showcasing the country’s military aviation history. This must-visit attraction stemmed from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Historical Centre, which was established at the original air base at Wigram in 1976. It currently relies on six buildings on the same site to display its impressive collection of vintage aircraft, vehicles, engines and artifacts amassed from New Zealand’s military efforts.
The Yaldhurst Museum
The Yaldhurst Museum is as much an educational venue as it is an integral component of Christchurch’s history. The museum is set on the grounds of one the city’s earliest homesteads, originally built by local resident John Taylor in 1876. A few generations later, Taylor’s great-grandson Alfred Thornhill Cooper decided to showcase his ever-growing vintage car collection in his very own specialist museum. Since its 1968 inauguration, the Yadlhurst Museum has amassed more than 160 cars, and has expanded to include exhibitions on race cars, horse-drawn carriages, motorcycles, engines and various other transportation-focused relics.
International Antarctic Centre
Located on the International Antarctic Programmes’ campus at Christchurch Airport, the International Antarctic Centre sets out to show all visitors why Christchurch is viewed as the gateway to Antarctica. It opened in 1992, on the site where the New Zealand, United States and Italian Antarctic Programmes were already in full swing, and has since grown into one of the city’s top tourist attractions. The centre’s experiences include penguin encounters, a myriad of interactive exhibitions, an HD movie theatre, and even a husky cuddle zone.
Rutherford’s Den
The Christchurch Arts Centre is home to Rutherford’s Den: an interactive, educational exhibit that aptly pays tribute to one of New Zealand’s most distinguished figures. Earnest Rutherford was a pioneer in the scientific realm and is widely regarded as the father of nuclear physics. The specialist museum is filled with hands-on activities and displays that explain everything there is to know about atoms, ions, and the importance of Lord Rutherford’s discoveries, to life as we know it.
The Toy Collector
Quite a recent addition to Christchurch’s museum scene, The Toy Collector was born out of a pure love for all toys, old and new. A bright red building compels visitors to experience – and embrace – the evolution of toys throughout the ages. The museum opened its doors in February 2016, and is already making a positive impression with its nostalgic displays, impressive toy car collections, and a fully-functioning model railway.
Ferrymead Heritage Park
An open-air historic museum that brings the Edwardian era into the present. The Ferrymead Heritage Park recreates an early 1900s township – with a school, church, jail, general shop, picture theatre, railway station, and houses among its various features. The park also hosts a series of smaller heritage museums, owned and operated by individual societies, which are open to public viewing throughout the week. Sundays are usually when most of these attractions are fully up and running.
PARKS
Hagley Park
Hagley Park has been Christchurch’s main open-air recreational facility since the 1850s. With an area of 165 hectares (407 acres), it is also the city’s largest – comprising North and South Hagley Parks, the Botanic Gardens, and the Canterbury Museum. North Hagley Park is particularly known for hosting an array of outdoor concerts, competitions, festivals and community events throughout the year.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are a horticultural paradise. Plants, trees and flowers from New Zealand and abroad liven up the city landscape, and are greatly complemented by artistic installations all around. Its main highlights include the Central Rose Garden, which was considered to be one of the largest in Australasia when it was installed in 1909, and the Herbaceous Border, which is believed to be the longest of its kind in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Riccarton Bush
Riccarton Bush is a tranquil, inner-city reserve that houses the Canterbury region’s last remaining kahikatea floodplain forest – making this a piece of parkland with strong national significance. The 600-year-old kahikatea trees are the most recent survivors of a forest that has been carved from a series of flooding cycles some 3000 years ago. The area is also known for its historic homestead, Riccarton House, which is the venue of choice for the weekly Christchurch Farmers’ Market.
Millbrook Reserve
Millbrook Reserve is adjacent to Hagley Park and is the closest garden park to the central city. Once a part of the estate of distinguished Christchurch architect Heathcote Helmore, this reserve has since become a popular venue for riverside picnics, outdoor weddings, and photography. Its beautiful landscaped garden features two of Christchurch’s tallest trees, as well as spectacular displays of azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias during the spring.
Halswell Quarry Park
Halswell Quarry Park is the gateway for some of the Christchurch’s best walking trails. The scenic city-fringe reserve is within close range to Kennedy’s Bush track, the Cashmere Hill Loop, and Findlay’s Walk – the latter of which will give you access to an extensive picnic area. Halswell Quarry Park is also home to the Sister City Gardens, which showcase small botanic collections from some of Christchurch’s main sister cities: including Adelaide in South Australia, Christchurch in England, the Chinese Gansu Province, Kurashiki in Japan, Seattle in the United States, and Songpa-Gu in Korea.
Edmonds Factory Gardens
When Thomas Edmonds built his iconic baking powder factory in 1923, he decided to embellish its premises with an expansive garden. Fast forward to today, and many generations have enjoyed the horticultural wonders adorning the area – in fact, the Edmonds Factory Gardens have won several awards over the years for beautifying the city. Since the original factory was demolished, the property was subdivided and given new rose and oval gardens to make the most of its location. The garden is presently looked after by the community-driven Friends of the Edmonds Factory Garden in collaboration with the Christchurch City Council.
Mona Vale
Mona Vale is a gracious historic site that is surrounded by 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres) of gardens, landscaped lawns and a heritage homestead. A sweeping line of bedding displays, routinely changed twice yearly to suit the newly-arrived seasons, welcome visitors as they enter this idyllic location. Throughout its inception, the Mona Vale garden collections have featured a myriad of English and European trees, conifers, maples, rhododendrons, and camellias. In present times, the area has been enhanced by a showcase of magnolias, roses, irises, and herbaceous perennials.
Abberley Park
A suburban park that is greatly loved by resident families and has an interesting story to tell. Abberley Park began as a private garden and, even though its original homestead no longer exists, its early 19th century character has been sustained ever since. Trees dating as far back as the 1860s and parkland-style gardens feature prominently in this location. The park also consists of a popular children’s playground, a series of walkways meandering by the stream, and extensive shrub plantations.
Victoria Park
A short drive from the central city will lead you into the Port Hills-based Victoria Park. This is a fantastic place to enjoy the Canterbury vistas, allowing its visitors to catch a glimpse of the Southern Alps and the coastal plains from a faraway distance. Picnic spots, several bush walks and cycling tracks are some of the other highlights you’ll get to experience on any given visit.
Bottle Lake Forest Park
An exotic, 800-hectare (1976.8 acres) pine forest, with trees stretching as far as the eye can see, is ready to inspire and amaze anyone who enters the Bottle Lake Forest. This is a great location for cycling in particular – there are clearly-marked tracks for beginners and advanced riders alike to get their heart pumping. If pedalling is not your thing, there’s plenty on offer for hikers, horse riders, and runners too.
MARKETS
Christchurch Farmers’ Market
Since 2003, local market goers have been setting their sights on Riccarton House as it transforms into Christchurch’s largest Saturday farmers’ market. The historic homestead’s grounds, which runs alongside the Avon, captivates all passing foodies as a wonderful display of fresh fruits, veggies, meat, fish, dairy, and ready-to-eat goodies props up in the morning. The Christchurch Farmers’ Market runs year-round from 9am until 1pm.
The Riccarton Rotary Sunday Market
No one could ever have imagined that a car boot sale in 1989 would evolve into New Zealand’s largest outdoor market. But that’s exactly what happened with this iconic event in Riccarton. A visit to the Riccarton Rotary Sunday Market will expose you to an incredible assortment of items: from fresh produce right through to secondhand goods and antique furniture. Performances, face painting, and even a bouncy castle adds a jovial flair to the market too. The market is held every Sunday, rain or shine, from 9am until 2pm.
New Brighton’s Seaside Market
First held in the year 2000, New Brighton’s Seaside Market began as a small community event that was held every couple of months. By 2013, though, it had become a weekly fixture at the coastal end of New Brighton mall. This is a non-commercial market by definition – all surplus profits from stall rentals go directly into community projects. A typical Seaside Market consists of live performances, vibrant food stalls, and plenty of entertainment for children. Aside from a three-week break over the Christmas and New Year period, the market operates every Saturday from 10am until 2pm.
Opawa Farmers’ Market
The Opawa Farmers’ Market puts emphasis on all things locally-grown and organic. Along with a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, the market is also known for its artisan breads, French pastries, free-range eggs, and locally-produced cheeses. Every January the market hosts a Berry Fest, and February/March has its own Tomato Fest too. The Opawa Farmers’ Market is held 9am until noon on Sundays.
Lincoln Farmers’ and Craft Market
A good place to stop by if you’re heading towards the Banks Peninsula, stock up on an array of nuts, oils and produce, browse the amazing handcrafted woodwork, arts and crafts on show, and embrace the great community vibes all around. Make sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page, as themed events prop up quite regularly. The Lincoln Farmers and Craft Market runs every Saturday 10am until 1pm.
Lyttelton Farmers’ Market
Speaking of the Banks Peninsula, the Lyttelton Farmers’ Market is a great place to discover some of the Canterbury region’s finest produce. If you’re heading out that way, this community-driven event will be your source for fresh meat, fish, bread, cheese, and vegetables, among many other goodies. The market has been running since 2005, and they even pay local musicians to liven up their endeavors. You’ll find this vibrant affair on London Street, every Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
Mt Pleasant Farmers’ Market
If you’re heading out to Sumner beach and its surrounds, the Mt Pleasant Farmers’ Market is right on your doorstep. This is a small community market that started up after the area’s local stores were badly damaged by earthquakes. Supporting all things local, this market is known for selling scrumptious home-made baking, as well as preserves, organic fruits and veggies, and an array of plants, too. The Mt Pleasant Farmers Market operates every Saturday from 9:30 am until 12:30pm.
Akaroa Farmers’ Market
A spring-to-autumn market in the historic settlement of Akaroa, the Akaroa Farmers’ Market will be your source of seasonal produce, freshly-grown herbs, locally-sourced honey, as well as olive oils, nuts, flowers, jams, sauces, preserves, breads, pastries, and lavender products. The market is open Saturdays 9:30am until 1pm from October until April.
