Christchurch on Budget

Christchurch has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. For a family of four, you can expect to pay around $120-200 per night for a mid-range hotel or motel. Consider staying in a self-contained apartment or holiday home, which can be more cost-effective and provide more space for your family.

Some affordable options include the Ibis Christchurch Hotel, which costs around $150 per night, or the Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Resort, which offers self-contained units from $120 per night.

Christchurch has plenty of free activities to enjoy with your family. The Botanic Gardens are a must-visit, with stunning gardens and a peaceful atmosphere. Hagley Park is another great spot for a picnic or a game of cricket.

The Canterbury Museum is also completely free, with world-class natural history and Antarctic exhibitions that kids will love. The Christchurch Art Gallery is another free attraction, with rotating exhibitions and kids' programmes.

Some of Christchurch's top attractions are worth splashing out on. The International Antarctic Centre is a must-visit, with its unique and interactive exhibits. The Christchurch Gondola is another great attraction, with stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Consider purchasing a family pass for these attractions, which can be more cost-effective than buying individual tickets. The International Antarctic Centre costs around $60 for a family pass, while the Christchurch Gondola costs around $50.

Christchurch packs a lot of family fun into a compact, flat, easy-to-navigate city. The Christchurch Tram loops the inner city and is a fun, hop-on-hop-off way to see the rebuilt centre — kids love the historic carriages. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a standout for families, with hands-on native and farm animals plus an excellent after-dark kiwi viewing experience. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram is free to enter (with paid extras like flight simulators), and is a brilliant rainy-day option with real aircraft to explore.

For a half-day adventure, the Christchurch Gondola climbs Mt Cavendish for panoramic views over the city, Lyttelton Harbour and the Southern Alps, with a time-tunnel ride that younger kids enjoy.

Here's roughly what the main paid attractions cost for a family of four, so you can plan which to splurge on.

Here's a rough 3-day budget breakdown for a family of four visiting Christchurch: