Activities and Attractions in Christchurch, Canterbury

Local Attractions

• Punting on the Avon River

  From our Park departure point travel leisurely through the Botanic Gardens and enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna. Our City departure point takes you through the heart of our city through the progressing Avon River precinct and past the many exciting developments underway. The return trip takes approximately 30 minutes.

  http://welcomeaboard.co.nz/punting/
• International Antarctic Centre

  38 Orchard Rd, Christchurch Airport

  The International Antarctic Centre is your destination for authentic, interactive fun and provides an exciting experience of Antarctica for visitors of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 2 or 92 – there’s hours of fun here for everyone. You’ll visit ‘Antarctica’ the snow and ice experience, survive an Antarctic Storm, learn about life in modern day Antarctica and Scott Base, and hang out with Little Blue Penguins! There’s also the famously exciting Hagglund ride and an awesome simulated 4D cruise, Happy Feet 4D, plus heaps more! It’s quite possibly the closest you’ll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition!

  http://www.iceberg.co.nz/
• University of Canterbury

  The University has a main campus of 76 hectares (190 acres) at Ilam, a suburb of Christchurch about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the centre of the city. Adjacent to the main campus stands the University's College of Education, with its own sports-fields and grounds. The University maintains four libraries, with the Central Library housed in the tallest building on campus, the 11-storey James Hight building. The University's College of Education maintains additional small campuses in Nelson, Tauranga and Timaru, and "teaching centres" in Greymouth, New Plymouth, Rotorua and Timaru. The University has staff in regional information offices in Nelson, Timaru, and Auckland. Canterbury University has six halls of residence housing around 1800 students.[53] The largest of these are Ilam Apartments and University Hall with 850 residents and 550 residents, respectively.

  University of Canterbury
• Christchurch Hospital

  Christchurch Hospital is the largest tertiary hospital in the South Island of New Zealand. The public hospital is in the centre of Christchurch city, on the edge of Hagley Park, and serves the wider Canterbury Region. It has the busiest emergency department in Australasia, and is one of four main teaching hospitals in New Zealand.

  Christchurch Hospital
• Nga Puna Wai & Canterbury Agricultural Park

  This is a large combined open space area located in the south-west part of Christchurch and, at 128ha, on a par in terms of area with Hagley Park. Together they offer a similar level of accessibility and community value as that achieved for Hagley Park. The combined Park area has a diverse range of values and uses and is separated into two parks - Nga Puna Wai (86ha), which means “many spring waters” reflecting the springs in the Heathcote River/Ōpawaho running alongside, and Canterbury Agricultural Park (42ha). While each park has a distinctive character and use, there is some merging and overlap of character and use between them. There is a variety of activity that takes place on the parks, which include: Ongoing and regular use by groups that occupy the “agricultural” part of the parks for mainly equestrian activities. The annual A&P Show centred on Canterbury Agricultural Park. Parts of Canterbury Agricultural Park being booked for periodic events and sports - for example, rugby league. Casual use by walkers, joggers, family and school groups, dog owners and dogs, photographers and other members of the public. The future development of pathways will cater to many other users, including cyclists and people with disabilities.

  Nga Puni Wai and Canterbury Agricultural Park
• Horncastle Arena

  Many of the world’s leading artists, performers and sports teams play here, attracting fans from throughout the country. Easily located in Addington, it has over 4,000m2 of space ideal for exhibitions, tradeshows and large scale special events however can adapt easily to host many mid-sized events. Also on offer are 18 corporate suites perfectly positioned to watch the toes of 9,000 concert-goers tap the night away in this impressive venue.

  Horncastle Arena
• Table Tennis Canterbury

  294 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton

  Casual / Social groups for organised play and interaction are available. Our stadium is a great facility. There are 18 tables with full facilities.

  Table Tennis Canterbury