Book This Trip
Christchurch Accommodation
Central Christchurch has excellent family-friendly holiday parks close to the botanic gardens and city.
Check Availability →Budget Breakdown
Budget is indicative. Campervan hire can reduce accommodation and food costs significantly — compare campervans.
Day-by-Day Plan
City — Botanic Gardens, Gondola & Punting
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens — free, stunning, great playground and cafe
- Punting on the Avon — 30-minute punt through the gardens ($35/adult, under 5 free)
- Christchurch Gondola — cable car to Summit Station, Port Hills views ($35/adult, $19/child)
- New Regent Street for dinner — NZ's most picturesque street, several family-friendly restaurants
- Botanic Gardens is genuinely excellent — the playground near the fountain is one of Christchurch's best
- Book punting online — peak season sells out midday slots
- Gondola summit has a Time Tunnel exhibition — kids enjoy it
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Beach
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve — NZ native birds, kiwi encounter, farm animals ($30/adult, $16/child)
- Te Puia o Waikawa (Christchurch Thermal Springs) if open
- New Brighton Beach and Pier — iconic long pier, free hot sea pools, foreshore playground
- New Brighton hot pools — free outdoor seawater pools right on the beach
- Willowbank is smaller and less visited than Wellington Zoo but excellent — see kiwi in daylight
- New Brighton hot pools are free and genuinely warm — kids go wild
- New Brighton pier is 300m long — great for fishing or just the walk
Akaroa or Kaikoura Day Trip
- Option A — Akaroa: French colonial village, swim with dolphins ($145/adult, $105/child), Giant's House garden
- Option B — Kaikoura: Whale Watch or seal colony walk, peninsula walkway, fresh crayfish
- Return to Christchurch for evening flight or overnight
- Akaroa is closer and more relaxed — ideal for younger kids
- Kaikoura is better for older kids (whale watch, sea kayaking with seals)
- Akaroa swim-with-dolphins: book 2-3 weeks ahead in summer
Packing Tips for This Trip
- Swimwear for New Brighton hot pools and any beach days
- Good walking shoes for Port Hills and Peninsula
- Layers — Christchurch can have 4 seasons in one day
- Download offline maps for Akaroa Peninsula road (patchy coverage)
FAQ
Is Christchurch good for families?
Yes — it's improved dramatically since the 2011 earthquake and now has some of NZ's best family attractions. The Botanic Gardens, gondola, punting, and New Brighton hot pools are all excellent. It's also a great base for Kaikoura and Akaroa day trips.
What happened to Christchurch after the earthquakes?
The February 2011 earthquake (185 deaths) destroyed much of the CBD. The city has been substantially rebuilt with a modern, open-plan centre, the Cardboard Cathedral, and excellent public spaces. The rebuilding story is itself interesting for older kids to learn about.
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