Things to Do in Christchurch

• International Antarctic Centre
  Not far from the airport, this award-winning centre focuses on the Antarctic, with hands on exhibits, a Hagglund Antarctic snowmobile ride, an aquarium and audiovisual displays.
• Christchurch Arts Centre
  The focal point of the city's performing and visual arts, the centre is housed in the old buildings of the University of Canterbury's town site. It is open daily with excellent art and craft outlets, a bustling weekend craft market and cafés and restaurants.
• Canterbury Museum
  At the Eastern edge of Hagley Park, this excellent regional museum contains exhibitions of early Antarctic relics, a Maori gallery, a pioneer street, period furniture and a rooftop planetarium.
• The Christchurch Art Gallery
  An extensive collection spans more than 1000 items from classical Greek and Roman periods through to the present day, including two pieces by French sculptor Rodin.
• Christchurch Tramway
  The city's historic trams, first introduced in 1905, are a familiar sight as they complete their 2.5km circuit, stopping at some of the city's best known sights.
• Southern Encounter Aquarium
  In Cathedral Square, the aquarium displays a variety of fish species, with touch tanks, eel feeding and a recreated fishing lodge.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
  Located on Hussey Road in Christchurch, the reserve has an extensive selection of native wildlife and a large kiwi house.
• Christchurch Casino
  New Zealand's first casino, located on Victoria Street, offers a selection of gaming options, bars and dining at the Grand Café restaurant.
• Christchurch Gondola
  The Mount Cavendish gondola offers fine views over the city and its environs. There is a restaurant, café and heritage show at the top. A free bus runs to the gondola from the visitor centre.
• Canterbury Brewery
  Tours of the Lion beer brewery at 10.30am, Mon-Thurs. Bookings essential.
• Orana Wildlife Park
  New Zealand's only open-range zoo specialises in endangered New Zealand and African animals, with a walk-through aviary and nocturnal kiwi house. Located on McLeans Island Rd, Harewood.
• Air Force World
  Located at nearby Wigram, the complex showcases planes and Air Force memorabilia at the country's first airbase.
• Ferrymead Heritage Park
  Southeast of the city, this working transport museum showcases locomotives, cars, machinery and appliances.
• Science Alive!
  An interactive science exhibition with hands-on fun for the children. Located in the old train station on Moorhouse Avenue.
• National Marae
  The country's largest marae (meeting house) offers the chance to view carvings, weavings and paintings. Evening tours with a traditional hangi (feast) can be booked at the Canterbury Visitor Centre (Cathedral Square).
• Christ Church Cathedral
  A 30m climb up the spire of this lovely old gothic cathedral offers fine views across the city. There are free tours at 11am and 2pm.
• Hagley Park
  The city's largest park (200ha) contains cycling and walking tracks, sports grounds, a golf course and, within its central reaches, the 30ha Christchurch Botanic Gardens. A pleasant diversion is to hire a punt at the old Antigua Boatsheds on Rolleston Avenue and view the park from the Avon River.
• Mona Vale
  Located just beyond the north-western end of Hagley Park, Mona Vale reserve contains a stately homestead built by Canterbury sheep station heiress, Annie Townsend, in 1905. The manor offers banquet, reception and tea facilities.
• Christchurch Botanic Gardens
  These beautiful gardens contain some lovely walks past award-winning flowers and plants.