Christchurch 3-Day Garden City Trip
Christchurch, New Zealand · 3 days · 6 stops · Relaxed
Relaxed · Nature · Food · Museums
- Destination
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Duration
- 3 days
- Travel style
- Relaxed
- Interests
- Nature · Food · Museums
- Region
- Oceania
- Best time
- Dec-Mar
From gateway to destination
- GatewayCHCChristchurch Airport
- Day 1The Gardens & the River2 stops · 09:30 – 14:00
- Day 2Kaikoura Whales2 stops · 08:00 – 18:00
- Day 3Alpine Pass2 stops · 08:30 – 16:00
- DestinationChristchurchNew Zealand
Three days of the reborn garden city: punting on the Avon, the street-art trail, Kaikoura's whales and an alpine pass day.
- Nature
- Culture
- Relaxed
Journey highlights
01
Punting the Avon
- 02
Sperm whales at Kaikoura
- 03
Arthur's Pass's alpine railway
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 01
The Gardens & the River
2 stops · 09:30 – 14:00
- 09:30Punting on the Avon through the Botanic Gardens
- 14:00Riverside Market & the street-art trail
Next stop
The Gardens & the RiverKaikoura Whales
Day 02
Kaikoura Whales
2 stops · 08:00 – 18:00
- 08:00Drive north for the sperm-whale boat
- 18:00Return for a crayfish dinner
Next stop
Kaikoura WhalesAlpine Pass
Day 03
Alpine Pass
2 stops · 08:30 – 16:00
- 08:30Arthur's Pass's alpine train or drive
- 16:00Airport
Where to eat in Christchurch
Riverside Market
Collective kitchens · $$
Inati
Chef's-table fine dining · $$$
Twenty Seven Steps
Modern NZ · $$$
Journey practicalities
- Gateway
- CHC · Christchurch Airport
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Currency
- NZD
- Scheduled stops
- 6
- Journey pace
- Relaxed
When to go
Dec-Mar
December–March is the warm, long-day summer; winter adds Mount Hutt's ski fields.
- Best months
- Dec-Mar
- Climate score
- Good · 74/100
Journey budget
420 NZD
Estimated total for 3 days covering accommodation, local transport, food and the 6 scheduled stops. International flights are not included.
- Per day
- 140 NZD
- Scheduled stops
- 6
Where to stay in Christchurch
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