I recently visited Christchurch, often referred to as the most English city outside of England, as part of a two week cruise throughout New Zealand and Australia. I was genuinely impressed by this beautiful, progressive and resilient city, the largest on New Zealand’s South Island.
Christchurch enchants visitors with its fusion of English elegance, vibrant creativity, modern architecture and scenic landscapes. It is also called the “Garden City,” because of its expansive green spaces like the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the city’s many public plazas and squares. Another British touch is the classic punt ride along the winding Avon River—guided by an Edwardian-clad punter. Christchurch is also known for its resiliency and resurgence following two, back-to-back devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. While the city lost many of its once grand and historic buildings, it has reinvented itself with new contemporary buildings, public spaces and cultural facilities that embody forward thinking and sustainable practices.
The area where Christchurch is located was originally inhabited by the indigenous Ngāi Tahu Māori people and a hub of seasonal food gathering and settlement. Christchurch was established by British settlers in 1856 as part of a planned Anglican settlement, and named after Christ Church, Oxford. It was designed with grand gothic revival stone buildings, tree-lined avenues, and picturesque squares and lush gardens, reminiscent of an English town.
The city experienced rapid development throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a center for education, agriculture, and innovation. The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of the iconic Christchurch Cathedral. Despite these tragedies, the city launched an ambitious rebuild that blends heritage with modern design. The result is a dynamic, evolving urban landscape that reflects both its colonial roots and a strong, forward-looking spirit.
Christchurch Central City Attractions
Central City is Christchurch’s vibrant hub of culture and commerce where many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the Riverside Market and Cardboard Cathedral are located. The walkable streets offer a mix of historic sites, modern architecture, and innovative public spaces. Street art and sculptures add color and character to nearly every block, while green spaces offer peaceful spots to relax. Central City was largely rebuilt after the Canterbury earthquakes, embodying the resilience and creativity of the city. Our first site upon reaching Central City was the Bridge of Remembrance spanning the Avon River. Its iconic triumphal arch memorializes New Zealanders who participated in numerous wars, including both World War I and II.
Avon River – The Avon River is a tranquil thread that weaves through the heart of Christchurch and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The river is lined with willow trees, lush green banks, trails and charming bridges. Just south of the Bridge of Remembrance is the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. This memorial, completed in 2017, is dedicated to those killed or seriously injured in the Canterbury earthquakes. Its design includes a curved memorial wall on the south bank of the river bearing the names of the 185 earthquake victims, while the north bank includes a reflecting area comprised of trees, seating and viewing areas.
One of the most quintessential Christchurch and very British experiences is punting on the Avon—gliding along the smooth water in a flat-bottomed boat, steered by a punter in traditional Edwardian attire including a straw “boater hat.” The tours start at the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, a charming relic from the 1880s, and continue through the Botanic Gardens, and along the manicured riverbank through Central City, providing a peaceful escape from the nearby urban landscape. We waved to the punters as we walked by, wishing we had the time to partake in what looked like a fun and relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
City Mall – East of the Bridge of Remembrance is City Mall, a lively outdoor pedestrian promenade along Cashel Street lined with a mixture of historic and modern buildings housing dozens of shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes. The mall is the hub of activity in Central City, filled with people shopping, enjoying the sun, or eating at one of the many outdoor cafes. It is also a central point for various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, making it a vibrant part of Christchurch’s social scene. Many historic buildings along the mall were severely destroyed by the Canterbury earthquakes, and subsequently demolished. Reconstruction resulted in a remarkable transformation with a vibrant pedestrian mall surrounded by new contemporary structures that have risen in their place.
Riverside Market – A block south of Cashel Street near the Avon River is the lively Riverside Market. The market was initially built following the 2011 earthquake to bring people back to the devastated Central City. It was made of temporary converted cargo containers housing a variety of shops and restaurants. Nearly six years later, a permanent market made of recycled materials, and adjacent quaint alleyways, known as Riverside Lanes, has become a cornerstone of Christchurch’s revitalized Central City. It houses nearly 60 vendors selling locally sourced produce, meat, seafood, baked goods and specialty items like sheep’s milk gelato and Argentinian-style slow-cooked beef. It also contains numerous boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and a brewery. We enjoyed mouthwatering steamed dumplings accompanied with a spicy sauce from Kathmandu, one of the many ethnic dining options within the market.
Cathedral Square – We made our way north a few blocks to Cathedral Square, the home of the Christchurch Cathedral. This Anglican cathedral, completed in 1904, was severely damaged in the 2011 earthquake, and has since been deconsecrated with various portions, including the tower, demolished. Cathedral Square presents an opportunity for visitors to witness the amount of damage that devastated the city. There has been a movement to reconstruct the cathedral since 2012, however, escalating costs have currently stalled the project, and its fate is unknown.
Cardboard Cathedral – A few blocks away from Cathedral Square is the Transitional Cathedral, also known as the Cardboard Cathedral, built to temporarily replace Christchurch Cathedral. The cathedral stands as a striking emblem of Christchurch’s resilience and ingenuity. Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the cathedral rises nearly 70 feet in a contemporary A-Frame style and is largely built of cardboard tubes, timber and steel shipping containers. The cathedral was completed in 2013 and attracts nearly 300,000 visitors a year. It was built to last roughly 50 years and fully engineered to meet current earthquake safety standards. Notable features include 98 massive cardboard tubes that form the structural element of the roof, as well as the triangular pieces of stained glass that form a larger triangular window above the entrance, referencing the original cathedral’s rose window.
New Regent Street – We made our way to New Regent Street, a pedestrian mall lined with 1930’s era pastel colored buildings built in the Spanish Mission architectural style housing eclectic boutiques, restaurants and outdoor cafes. The narrow street accommodates the heritage tram, which makes its way down the street and through the adjacent Cathedral Junction development, a newer enclosed mall.
Quake City Museum – We walked a few blocks west of New Regent Street and visited the Quake City Museum. This museum offers a powerful and immersive look into the Canterbury earthquakes. It features interactive displays, personal stories, and artifacts—such as the fallen cathedral spire and railway station clocks. Visitors can jump on a seismograph to simulate shaking, or use the LEGO station to design quake-resistant buildings. The informative liquifaction simulation and video interviews of affected residents, bring both scientific insight and emotional depth to the story of Christchurch’s recovery. The museum is a must-visit place to fully understand both the tragedy and triumph of Christchurch’s recent past.
Christchurch Art Gallery – West of the Avon River is the striking Christchurch Art Gallery, which is free to the public. We were impressed by the building design, which gracefully blends modern architecture with cultural storytelling. It was designed to reflect the natural contours of the Avon River—its sculptural glass facade reminiscent of flowing water and koru forms (a spiral shape used by the Māori people to symbolize new life, growth, strength, and peace). Two floors of galleries showcase an impressive mix of New Zealand and international works. Beyond its artistic offerings, the gallery offers a cafe, design shop, auditorium, and family-friendly programs.
Arts Centre / Te Matatiki Toi Ora – We stopped at the Arts Centre, a block west of the Christchurch Art Gallery, housed in Gothic Revival style buildings of the former University of Canterbury. The university was the alma mater of Earnest Rutherford, the first person to split the atom. The buildings, constructed in the 1870’s, are made of bluestone and native dark wood. Today, they house an impressive collection of galleries, cultural venues, cafes and artisan boutique stores. Galleries are dedicated to indigenous art, contemporary New Zealand artists, classical antiquities, and the works of Earnest Rutherford. The stunning Great Hall is a beautiful space used for concerts, theater, recitals, performances and lectures. The grounds are also the home of the Observatory Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel located where the Observatory Tower once stood.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are one of the city’s most famous and beloved attractions, offering a tranquil escape just minutes west of Central City, across from the Arts Centre. Established in 1863, the gardens span over 50 acres and feature a rich collection of native and exotic plants, seasonal flower displays, towering historic trees and public art. Attractive stone bridges arch over peaceful streams and lakes. We strolled along meandering pathways, exploring the dahlia garden, the rose garden, the rock garden and the New Zealand gardens which offer a fine collection of New Zealand tree and plant species. We also visited various conservatories showcasing everything from tropical plants to desert cacti. The gardens also include a café and visitor center with educational exhibits.
Lyttelton, A Quaint Seaside Town
The charming seaside town of Lyttelton, situated on Lyttelton Harbor, is just a short 20-minute drive south of Christchurch. Since our cruise ship docked in Lyttelton, we had time to explore some of the town. Lyttelton’s picturesque streets are lined with colorful buildings, cafes, and galleries that showcase local creativity. At the waterfront, visitors can watch fishing boats, enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many seaside restaurants, or take a cruise to Quail Island. Lyttelton offers a rich maritime history and vibrant arts scene, and hosts a Saturday farmers market offering 50 stalls of produce, meats, fish, cheeses and baked items.
Christchurch Gondola – Just north of Lyttelton is the entry to the Christchurch Gondola. It stretches a half mile across the Port Hills to Mount Cavendish where visitors are offered sweeping views of Christchurch, Lyttelton Harbor, the Southern Alps and the Banks Peninsula. At the top, visitors can walk along trails, take the creative “Time Tunnel” discovery ride, enjoy food at the café, or visit the gift shop. From Christchurch, getting to the gondola is easy and convenient. The base station is a short 15-minute drive (or bus ride #8) from the city center.
Getting Around Christchurch
Getting around Christchurch is easy and convenient thanks to the compact nature of the city as well as its organized transportation network and walkable layout. A heritage tram service loops about 2.5 miles through key parts of Central City, offering a unique and scenic way to see the sights. Some of the stops include Riverside Market, Cathedral Square, New Regent Street and the Botanic Gardens. Christchurch is one of the most bike-friendly cities in New Zealand, with an extensive network of bike lanes and bike rental options available for visitors.
For exploring areas outside Central City, Christchurch’s public bus system, operated by Metro, provides reliable and affordable service. Buses run frequently, and fares can be paid using a Metrocard for discounted rates or with cash. Rideshare services like Uber and traditional taxis are also available, as are rental cars for those planning to explore the nearby Canterbury region.
