Christchurch Itinerary for 2 Days

Written and fact-checked by the Yalla Travel editorial team

What should you do in Christchurch in 2 days?

In 2 days in Christchurch, spend the first day exploring the walkable city center and its gardens, and the second day on the Port Hills and coast, where the Gondola, the harbor town of Lyttelton and Sumner Beach are all within half an hour of downtown.

Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and the usual starting point for South Island road trips. Much of the center was rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, so today it mixes restored Gothic Revival buildings with new architecture, street art and riverside promenades. The city is flat and compact, which makes it easy to cover in a short stay.

2-day Christchurch itinerary: day-by-day plan

This plan keeps day 1 on foot in the center and uses a car, bus or tour for day 2 outside the city.

Day 1: Central Christchurch

• Morning: Walk through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, then take a punt on the Avon River from the Antigua Boat Sheds or near the Botanic Gardens.
• Midday: Visit the Arts Centre, a group of restored Gothic Revival buildings with galleries and shops, and have lunch at Riverside Market, an indoor food hall by the river.
• Afternoon: Ride the heritage tram loop past Cathedral Square, where ChristChurch Cathedral is being restored, and New Regent Street with its pastel Spanish Mission-style facades. See the Christchurch Art Gallery and the moving 185 Empty Chairs earthquake memorial.
• Evening: Dinner in the central city or around Victoria Street.

Day 2: Port Hills, Lyttelton and Sumner

• Morning: Ride the Christchurch Gondola up Mount Cavendish for views over the city, the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps and Lyttelton Harbour.
• Midday: Drive or take a bus through the road tunnel to Lyttelton, a small port town with cafes and character. On Saturday mornings it has a popular farmers market.
• Afternoon: Head to Sumner Beach, or walk the coastal track at Godley Head for cliffs and sea views.
• Rainy-day swap: the International Antarctic Centre near the airport is a good indoor option, especially with kids.

How do you extend this to a 5-day Christchurch itinerary?

For a 5-day Christchurch itinerary, keep the two core days and add three day trips: Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, the coast at Kaikōura, and either Hanmer Springs or Arthur’s Pass.

Instead of driving to Arthur’s Pass, you can take the TranzAlpine train, one of New Zealand’s best-known scenic rail journeys, which crosses the Southern Alps. Check current schedules, as services and day-return options vary by season.

Shorter or longer stays

With 1 day, follow day 1 and add the Gondola at sunset. With 3 days, add Akaroa. With a week or more, Christchurch becomes a launch point for Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the West Coast, but those trips are better done with overnight stays than as day trips.

What is best for families in Christchurch?

The best family activities in Christchurch are the International Antarctic Centre, wildlife parks where you can see kiwi, the Botanic Gardens playground and the Gondola.

• International Antarctic Centre: a snow and ice storm room, Hägglund vehicle rides and little blue penguins.
• Orana Wildlife Park: an open-range zoo on the city’s edge with African animals and native New Zealand species.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve: a smaller park known for kiwi viewing in a nocturnal house.
• Margaret Mahy Family Playground: a large, imaginative city-center playground by the Avon.
• Sumner Beach: sand, rock pools and Cave Rock, which kids love to explore at low tide.

When is the best time to visit Christchurch?

The best time to visit Christchurch is from December to March, the Southern Hemisphere summer, when days are long and warm and gardens and outdoor activities are at their best.

Seasons are reversed compared with Israel, so a trip over Hanukkah or Christmas falls in early summer, while Passover lands in autumn. Weather can change quickly at any time of year, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket.

What should travelers from Israel know before going?

Travelers from Israel should expect a very long journey with at least one connection, arrange an NZeTA before flying, and plan for driving on the left.

• Flights: there are no direct flights from Israel to New Zealand. Routes usually connect through Asia, the Gulf or Australia, often with two stops. Check current schedules and allow a full day to recover.
• Entry: Israeli passport holders can generally visit New Zealand without a visa as part of its visa waiver program, but must obtain an NZeTA (electronic travel authority) before departure. Apply through official New Zealand Immigration channels and check the latest rules.
• Biosecurity: New Zealand is strict about food, plant material and dirty hiking boots. Declare everything on the arrival card to avoid fines.
• Driving: traffic drives on the left. An English-language license, or an international permit with your Israeli license, is usually required to rent a car; check current rules.
• Money: cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere; some places add a surcharge for card payments.
• Kosher and Shabbat: the Jewish community in Christchurch is small, so check with the local Jewish community or Chabad house about kosher food and Shabbat arrangements well in advance.
• Advisories: check Israeli National Security Council and Foreign Ministry travel guidance before you go.

How do you get around Christchurch?

The easiest way to get around Christchurch is on foot and by tram in the center, with a rental car for the Port Hills and day trips.

The central city is flat and best explored on foot, by bicycle or e-scooter, or on the heritage tram loop. The Metro bus network connects the center with Lyttelton, Sumner and the airport. For Akaroa, Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs, a rental car gives the most flexibility, although coach tours and shuttles run to the main destinations.

Mistakes to avoid

• Planning a full outdoor itinerary without a rainy-day option.
• Trying to see Lake Tekapo or Aoraki/Mount Cook as a same-day return trip on a 2-day stay.
• Forgetting the NZeTA before flying.
• Underestimating jet lag after a long multi-stop flight from Israel.
• Bringing undeclared food through airport biosecurity.