Christchurch City offers an abundance of things to do and see.  Take a tram ride and visit the botanical gardens, the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu which exhibits New Zealand and international art, the art centre & museum which has fine cultural and natural collections as well as creative and imaginative displays. Head to the Casino for a meal and 24-hour gaming entertainment.

Orana Park is New Zealand's largest wildlife reserve and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve has among its displays New Zealand's largest daytime kiwi viewing area.

Visitors can be introduced to Maori culture at Nga Hau E Wha Marae or at the Tamaki heritage village.
 

Outside of town

To the east lies the open ocean and Banks Peninsula, featuring sheltered bays, sandy beaches, bush clad valleys, rocky coastline and high, wild places. Boating, tramping, a visit to the wineries and the French settlers' harbourside village of Akaroa are key peninsula attractions.

To the west, past fertile plains and braided rivers, are forested foothills and lakes. Beyond them lie the tallest mountains in Australasia, the Southern Alps, strung out parallel to the coastline.delightful alpine villages break the almost impenetrable divide and deliver the traveller to the west coast. There is a choice of western routes and plenty of ski areas on the way.

A journey north reveals green rolling hills, forests and long, empty beaches, with the whale-watching centre of Kaikoura about 2 hours' drive away, or the delights of Hamner springs and the thermal pools just inland.

An excursion to the south passes through farmland and crosses two more of Canterbury's pristine rivers, ideal for fishing, whitewater rafting or kayaking.