18 Free (& Cheap) Things to Do in Christchurch: South Island on a Budget

Ōtautahi Christchurch, also known as the Garden City, is packed with free and *almost* free things to do. This makes it one of the best places to visit on the South Island, especially if you’re interested in museums, great views, and scenic walking trails! In this post, you’ll find a ton of suggestions for interactive exhibits, historic sites, and free activities to do around the city for the entire family.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).

Free things to do in Christchurch map

How to use this map: Click “View larger map” in the top right corner. From there, you can view each location and save your favorites to your own Google Maps lists!

Free things to do in Christchurch

Tūranga (Christchurch City Library)

The Christchurch City Library is the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon. Here, you’ll find five floors of books, magazines, multimedia resources, and study spaces. In addition to its impressive collection of books, the Christchurch City Library also hosts a range of events and activities, from book clubs and author talks to art exhibitions and music performances.

One of the most impressive things about the Christchurch City Library is its architecture. The building was designed alongside Ngāi Tahu, the largest Māori iwi on the South Island. Specific parts of the building face culturally significant areas of the Canterbury region, including Aoraki Mt Cook and the Banks Peninsula.

Canterbury Museum

The Canterbury Museum is a human and natural history museum with exhibitions on Maori culture, early European settlers, geology, and native wildlife.

Located just a quick 10-minute walk from the city centre, the Canterbury Museum makes a great addition to any one-day Christchurch itinerary. It’s also very family friendly and has several interactive elements to entertain young children.

The Canterbury Museum is open every day from 9 am to 5:30 pm. There is free admission to the general museum, but some special exhibitions may have an extra fee.

Note: Starting 11 April 2023, the museum will be closed indefinitely for renovations.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Located within Hagley Park, the Botanical Gardens are a great spot for nature lovers to wander through on a sunny day. They’re also right next door to the Canterbury Museum and the two activities make an excellent afternoon out.

Some of the highlights in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens include a rose garden, an archery lawn, a rock garden, and a fern house. There is also a playground and a paddling pool for children.

The Botanic Gardens offer daily group walking tours and guided tours in all-weather electric shuttles. Booking in advance is required; you can check out the Christchurch Botanic Gardens website for more information.

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Just a short drive away from Christchurch CBD, the Air Force Museum has exhibits on the country’s military aviation history. There are nearly 30 full-sized military aircraft on display, as well as galleries and displays about wartime life. You can also try your hand at a realistic flight simulator.

The museum is open every day except Christmas Day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Entrance to the main museum is free, but you’ll need to buy a ticket for $5 NZD if you want to use the flight simulator.

Christchurch Art Gallery

Christchurch Art Gallery (or Te Puna o Waiwhetū) is a contemporary art museum that showcases both local and international artists. There are rotating exhibitions that tackle topics such as indigenous rights and feminism. They also hold free events and guided tours throughout the week.

The Christchurch Art Gallery is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Wednesday nights are open late until 9 pm.

New Regent Street

New Regent Street is an adorable outdoor shopping area with colorful Spanish Mission architecture. It features several trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes where you can sit outside and enjoy people watching.

My personal favorite stop on New Regent Street is gin gin, a cute cocktail bar that specializes in (you guessed it) gin. Their drinks are delicious, the vibe is immaculate, and they also offer small plates and pizzas to nibble on.

Hit the beach

Thanks to its location on the Pacific Ocean, Christchurch has a few different beaches to choose from. Surfing, swimming, and sunbathing are commonplace, although the water will be a bit colder than beaches on the North Island!

New Brighton Beach: New Brighton is a massive, sweeping beach with sand dunes and views of Pegasus Bay. The New Brighton Pier is a popular spot for fishing and strolling.

Sumner Beach: Sumner Beach has a wide and sandy area, making it especially popular with families. The beach is suitable for beginner and intermediate surfers.

Taylors Mistake: Taylors Mistake Beach is a small, dog-friendly beach near Godley Head Recreational Reserve. The beach is popular with runners, hikers, bikers, and surfers.

Godley Head Walkway

This 9.3 km (5.8 mi) loop track features incredible coastal views, historical WWII remains, and native birdlife. The Godley Head Walkway starts and ends at Taylors Mistake Beach and follows the headland around the peninsula.

You’ll get views of Lyttelton Harbour, the Banks Peninsula, and the South Island’s eastern coast. One of the best things about the Godley Head Walkway is that after your walk, you’re able to hop into the water to cool off!

Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park

The Travis Wetland (or Ōruapaeroa) is the last large freshwater wetland in the city. It’s an important habitat for native birds and plants that covers 116 hectares (287 acres) on the city’s northeastern end.

Travis Wetland has an easy and accessible 4 km (2.5 mi) walking track that offers the best view of the surrounding landscape. The Nature Heritage Park’s gates are open every day from 8 am to 8 pm.

Riverside Market

Located across from the Bridge of Remembrance, Riverside Market is a popular spot to grab lunch or dinner.

You’ll find a ton of different food, drink, and snack vendors all under one roof. There are also vendors that sell produce, meats, and fancy cheeses. Riverside Market is a one-stop shop for all things unique and delicious.

The market is open every day with differing hours. Entrance to the market is free, but you’ll want to bring some cash and an empty stomach for some good eats.

⇉ Riverside Market: Christchurch’s Cutest Lunch Spot

Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial is a public memorial to the victims of the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Opened on the sixth anniversary of the quakes, the memorial is located along the Avon River, making it a peaceful place for quiet reflection.

The effects of the devastating earthquake can be felt in the city even today. Many buildings that were destroyed are still under construction, and many new structures in the city (like Margaret Mahy Playground) have popped up as part of earthquake recovery.

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is an area in Christchurch central that is still undergoing renovations post-earthquake. In the square, you’ll find the Christchurch Cathedral, an Anglican cathedral built between 1864 and 1904.

While there’s not much to do in the square at the moment, it’s still an interesting place to visit to see the remnants of the historic building. Construction on the Christchurch Cathedral and the square as a whole is expected to be done by mid-2027.

The Tannery

The Tannery is a gorgeous and historical shopping centre with more than 50 boutique stores, restaurants, and bars.

Within the glass-domed building, you’ll find a range of local, artisanal, and bespoke shops with everything from clothing to home decor. Even if you’re just after a bit of window shopping, the Tannery is a great place to come and enjoy the stunning architecture and art.

Riccarton House and Bush

Located near the city center, the Riccarton Bush is the last remaining podocarp forest in Christchurch. The bush is completely surrounded by a predator-proof fence that allows native birds to flourish. There are over 900 m (2,953 ft) of flat, accessible boardwalks to enjoy within the enclosure.

It’s free to walk around the grounds of Riccarton House and Bush. If you want to check out the inside of the historic homestead, you’ll need to book a guided tour. Tickets cost $18 NZD per adult; tours run at 11 am and 2 pm from Sunday to Friday.

Check out a market

Christchurch Farmers Market: Located on the Riccarton House grounds, the Christchurch Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Come with an empty stomach — there are over 60 stalls with local and gourmet foods.

Riccarton Sunday Market: Riccarton Market is Christchurch’s largest market, with over 200 stalls open every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. You’ll find everything from food and plants to clothing and second-hand goods.

Lyttelton Farmers Market: Open every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, the Lyttelton Farmers’ Market offers a wide variety of local produce, freshly-caught fish, cheese, and bread.

All of these markets are free to visit, but you’ll definitely want to bring a bit of cash to sample some of the goodies!

Cheap things to do in Christchurch

Christchurch Tram Tour

Built in the 1880s, the historic Christchurch Tram line is the best way to explore the city. Like a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, you can jump off at any of the 18 stops along the route and jump back on once you’re ready.

Some of the stops include Cathedral Square, the Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, and New Regent Street. Because the vintage tram stops at all of the best free things to do in Christchurch, it’s a great way to see the city if it’s your first time or if you only have one day to spend.

Children 15 years old and younger ride free and adult tickets cost only $30 NZD, making this a cheap activity for those on a budget!

Christchurch Gondola

The 10-minute ride up the Christchurch Gondola offers spectacular views over the city of Christchurch, the Port Hills, Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps mountain range.

At the station on top of Mount Cavendish, you’ll find a fun gift shop, a cafe with tasty treats, and a variety of walking tracks. (Bridle Path Walk is one of the more popular tracks — it’s a steep, 2.4 km [1.5 mi] walk with views over Lyttelton Harbour.)

A single round-trip gondola ticket costs $35 NZD per adult and $15 NZD per child. Children 4 years and younger are free!

If you’d like, you can buy combo tickets for both the gondola and tram. These cost $60 NZD per adult and $15 NZD per child, saving you $5 NZD per adult!

International Antarctic Centre

Located right next to the Christchurch Airport, the International Antarctic Centre is an awesome way to spend your first or last day in the city.

Filled with exciting exhibits, simulated rides, and HD movies, the International Antarctic Centre is a fun way to learn about life in Antarctica and Scott Base. You can interact with typical Antarctic wildlife like Little Blue Penguins, and there’s also an indoor polar room with real snow and ice where temperatures drop to -18˚C (0˚F)!

Tickets cost $59 NZD per adult and $39 NZD per child.

You’ll also love:

• The Best Waiheke Island Beaches: A Fantastic Day Trip from Auckland
• One Day in Paris: The Essential 24-Hour Itinerary
• 13 New Zealand Snacks You HAVE To Try When Visiting Aotearoa

Thanks for reading this guide on the best free things to do in Christchurch! If I’ve missed one of your favorites, let me know in the comments below.

xoxo Niki