Originally we planned to visit both the North and South Islands of New Zealand over a 3 week period in November and December of 2020. Unfortunately a month prior to departure our flight was cancelled due to covid. Over the next few years we travelled quite a bit to a number of destinations in the US and both coasts of Canada, all the while keeping tabs on New Zealand.
In early 2024 we figured it was time to jump back in with planning our long awaited visit. With all that time to research it was evident that trying to fit both islands into a 3 week timeframe was pushing it. So with this trip we decided to concentrate on just the South Island. Actually we should probably note that our trip is probably better described as a visit to the southern part of New Zealand’s South Island. There is so much to see that we have to return for a prolonged visit to visit more of the South and then the North Island!
This is the first post in a series of our visit to New Zealand that covers Christchurch and Akaroa.
Traveling To New Zealand
Visa or NZeTA
Most people will need a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to travel to New Zealand. It will depend on your passport, how you are travelling and whether you are visiting or only transiting. You can check to see which is required at the official New Zealand Immigration website. Note when searching NZeTA online there are a number of sites that act as middlemen to Immigration New Zealand and charge additional fees. When applying for an NZeTA be sure you are on the “official” New Zealand Immigration website.
Everyone travelling to New Zealand will also be required to complete a new Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) prior to arriving. We completed ours using the easy to use app. You can submit your declaration using the app within 24 hours of your departure or the airline you are traveling on can provide paper declarations. You can learn more at travellerdeclaration.govt.nz.
New Zealand Flights
Obviously there are a number of airlines and cities you can fly into New Zealand from. We were hoping to find relatively inexpensive flights during the spring/summer season (December through February) using airline miles from our home base of Columbus Ohio.
Our patience paid off after discovering that United offered flights direct to Christchurch from San Francisco. Basic economy seating was 55,000 miles at the time however we found Premium Plus seats on certain days in January & February 2025 for 70,000 miles each from Columbus to Christchurch via San Francisco. While our United miles balance was a little short we were able to make up the difference by transferring Ultimate Reward points to United. If you’re not utilizing credit card points for travel we recommend taking a look at Chase Sapphire Cards and the Ultimate Rewards program. Just remember it’s important to make certain you pay off your credit card statement balance each month so you don’t incur interest charges.
An additional plus is the partnership between Air Canada and Chase Sapphire Reserve which provides card holders with premium lounge access. Since we had an 8 hour layover in San Francisco we made a beeline to the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge which made the wait so much better. Typically there are rules stating when you can enter and for how long, however we were allowed in early and able to stay for approximately 5 hours. The lounge has a variety of seating and includes a self serve buffet, a bar, restrooms & showers and even an outdoor patio with plenty of seating that even includes a pair of iconic Canada Red Chairs!
Flying Premium Plus on this long haul flight meant more comfort with wider seats with additional recline, more legroom with leg & foot rests plus pillows, blankets & socks and an amenity kit that included things like tooth brushes, lotions, eye mask, ear plugs, head phones and more.
Christchurch
We arrived in Christchurch and experienced no issues with immigration. Coming from the U.S. it did take a little time to get accustomed with driving on the left side of the road. The windshield wipers and turn signals are also reversed which was a little frustrating at first but then rather amusing once we returned to the States where it took a couple of days to become reacquainted with our setup! When driving and at intersections it was always good to remember that the driver always sits closest to the center of the road.
We purposely didn’t pre-book any tours just in case there were any unexpected travel delays. This provided us time to become familiar with and enjoy our first few days in Christchurch.
Christchurch Gallery:
The city has a reputation for being a “garden city” with numerous parks, botanic gardens and the Avon River running through the city center. It continues to rebuild following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. The heart of the city was centered around the Christchurch Cathedral which was severely damaged by the earthquakes. It continues to undergo long-term reconstruction along with a number of other ongoing preservation efforts.
Things To Do:
We utilized the hop on hop off Christchurch Tram on our first day to get around the central city. It helped us get our bearings in order to make the most of our time exploring the parks, museums and shops.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are beautiful, peaceful and free! Whether you are into plants or just want to explore on foot, lounge in the sun or by the river we recommend you make a point to visit. They also offer Caterpillar Garden Tours, an informative guided electric tram you can ride for the entire circuit or hop on hop off at designated garden stops.
A little pricey and yes, touristy, Punting on the River Avon is a relaxing and iconic activity where your are gently guided down the river in a flat-bottomed boat by a boatman dressed in traditional Edwardian attire. You pass through the picturesque Botanic Gardens or the historic city center, offering peaceful views of willow trees, native plants, and local wildlife. It’s a popular attraction for both tourists and locals providing quite a unique way to experience the heart of Christchurch.
The Canterbury Museum is located right by the Botanic Gardens. It’s loaded with Maori artifacts, natural history plus a quirky replica of an old Christchurch street. Best of all it’s Free!
The Riverside Market is the spot for a true taste of the city. Fresh produce, coffee, pastries along with international food booths. It’s buzzing with locals and worth a visit. If you visit, and you should… Be sure to check out the Little Fish Company with lots of fresh items to choose from. We stopped in for lunch and ordered the fish & chips, nice light batter and moist. Super delicious!
The New Regent Street strip is full of boutique shops and cafes making it a great place to wander. We enjoyed gelato, shopping and people watching. The Christchurch Tram stops at each end of the street.
C1 Espresso – Can’t talk about Christchurch without mentioning C1 Espresso where we stopped in for lunch. It’s located in the beautifully restored former High Street Post Office. After the 2011 earthquake destroyed its original location, the café reopened in this historic building in 2012, becoming one of the first businesses to return to the central city. One of its most talked-about features is the pneumatic tube system used to deliver food items like sliders and curly fries directly to your table (yes, really). It’s a fun throwback to the building’s old post office days and adds a cool little twist to your meal experience. While you’re there look for the water dispensers created from old sewing machines, and if you need to visit the restrooms you’ll have to locate the sliding bookshelf to walk through to gain access.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at Chateau on the Park. The hotel is located on the west side of Hagley Park with the city center available by way of walking through the park or via the free drop off/pick up shuttle provided by the hotel which we appreciated. The hotel features their own beautiful gardens as well as a pool which we did not utilize. Our room was clean and comfortable. and the staff always cheerful and helpful. The breakfast buffet was one of the best we’ve experienced with many options to choose from along with the option to order from the breakfast menu. Dinner is also available along with a separate bar.
We enjoyed our stay at Chateau on the Park so much that we decided to cancel an existing reservation at a different hotel that we had reserved for when we returned two weeks later in order to stay at Chateau on the Park again.
We also discovered The Thai Orchid for dinner, a local Thai restaurant located just a short walk from the hotel which was delicious.
We’ve only touched the surface of things to do in and from Christchurch. If you’re planning a trip to Christchurch, give yourself time to explore slowly. Chat with the locals, wander through the gardens, linger in museums, and don’t skip the small stuff, it’s where the city really shines.
Cathedral Cliffs
Tucked along the North Canterbury coast between Christchurch and Kaikoura lies a lesser-known gem, Cathedral Cliffs near Gore Bay. These dramatic rock formations, sculpted over centuries by wind and water, rise like jagged pillars with an appearance resembling the beauty of the “badlands.”
Just above Gore Bay, a small roadside lookout offers a spectacular vantage point. From here, the view stretches over the white cliffs down out toward Gore Bay and the Pacific. It’s the perfect spot to snap some photos or simply pause and take in the coastal scenery. Google Map Link.
If you’re traveling from Christchurch you can continue down the road to Gore Bay to explore its quiet beaches and coastal charm. You’ve probably seen “love lock” fences or bridges in other cities, in Gore Bay we stumbled upon something a bit different, a whimsical “love rock” fence!
Cathedral Cliffs Gallery:
On the way, you’ll pass through the lovely town of Amberley, a perfect pit stop and the gateway to the renowned Waipara Valley wine region. Known for its exceptional Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay, the area is home to several celebrated vineyards like Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, and Greystone Wines.
We also stopped for lunch at The Nor’Wester Cafe in Amberley and can’t recommend it enough, great coffee, delicious food, and a cozy atmosphere.
Whether you’re road-tripping between Kaikoura and Christchurch or just looking for a scenic escape off the beaten path, this rugged and peaceful stretch of coastline is well worth the detour.
Akaroa
High on our list was the possibility of viewing Little Blue Penguins coming ashore. If you watched any of the videos you know how cute these small penguins are as they ride the waves in and hop up to their nesting areas.
The drive from Christchurch to Akaroa offers sweeping views of the harbor and surrounding hills of the Banks Peninsula. It’s roughly a 90 minute drive with a few photo stops along the way. Akaroa was founded by French settlers. It’s a beautiful little harbor-side town with colonial architecture.
Akaroa Gallery:
We booked a tour with Pohatu Penguins in Akaroa. The tour begins in Akaroa where you board a van for a scenic drive over Akaroa extinct volcano on a single lane winding country back road to Pōhatu Bay. Along the way you’re treated to beautiful vistas of Akaroa Harbour, the bay and ocean.
Upon arriving you’re outfitted with a camouflage poncho then set off for a walk around the colony to monitor nesting sites where you’ll be able to view young chicks. The walk can include some steep sections where some may have trouble climbing. As night approaches you may be able to view penguins returning to shore before they head off to their nests.
Pohatu Penguin Tour – Akaroa
We were able to check on several young chicks nesting during our visit however no returning adults were spotted coming ashore. In hindsight we might have booked a backup tour such as those in Oamaru or the Otago Peninsula for returning blue penguins though we were so happy to be able to view young chicks in their nests.
We stayed one night at the Akaroa Criterion Motel which was only a short walk to a few restaurants as well as the Pohatu Penguin tour office. We also visited a historic house nearby with terraced gardens filled with original artworks, sculptures and mosaics. The Giants House, as it’s called, has become a destination itself and worthy of a visit.
The Giants House – Akaroa
You could easily spend a couple of days in Akaroa. Follow this link for more information on tours from Nature Cruises and Swimming With Dolphins to Little Blue Penguin and More…!
Next Stop… Taking The Scenic Route To Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook
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