Family-friendly things to do in Central Christchurch

Christmas is coming up fast, and if you’re stuck for gift ideas we’ve got some great voucher options for you to gift an experience to your loved ones! Christchurch & Hanmer Springs Attractions operate some of the most iconic activities in Christchurch and Canterbury – check out these great present ideas:

Tramway Restaurant
Our Tramway Restaurant is the only dining tram operating in New Zealand and offers a unique experience with quality food and top wines – it’s perfect for special occasions or date nights for your friends or family! Gift vouchers are available from our Cathedral Junction booking office or online via our website in many denominations.

Punting on the Avon
A relaxing punt ride along the Avon River is a quintessentially Christchurch experience and makes a great gift! Purchase a gift voucher for our standard shared rides or opt for a 45-minute private ride voucher for two at $100 for a little more romance and luxury. Gift vouchers are available from our Park Punting site at the Antigua Boat Sheds or online via our website.

Hanmer Springs Attractions
For action-loving friends and family you can’t go past a voucher for one of our Hanmer Springs Attractions activities: we offer jet boating, rafting, quad biking, bungy jumping, canoe tours, clay bird shooting and paintballing! Gift vouchers are available from our shop in Hanmer Springs village, from our Cathedral Junction booking office or online via our website. Pair the voucher with a Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools or Hanmer Springs accommodation voucher for a weekend of fun for your loved ones.

Annual Pass
Our Tram & Gondola Annual Pass offers unlimited rides on both attractions for one year plus you get great discounts at our retail shop and other activities! A fantastic idea for Christchurch locals (especially families), gift vouchers are available from our Cathedral Junction booking office, our Gondola base station or online via our website.

In addition to these ideas there are also options to purchase vouchers for standard Tram or Gondola tickets via our website so you can start ticking presents off your gift purchase list!

Looking for something different for your next conference, corporate or group event? Check out the fantastic options that Christchurch & Hanmer Springs Attractions have available for you:

Christchurch Gondola – for an event with an amazing view book the Gondola for your next function. Options range from a private lunch for a minimum of 20 people to drinks and canapes or a sit down dinner for up to 180 people. The daytime view from the Gondola’s top station over Christchurch and Lyttelton is breathtaking and the sunset and night lights are just as superb.

Christchurch Tram – fancy your own private tram? Hire one of our heritage trams for a private tour for your team to see the changes in the central city, or to transport your group from one central city venue to another. For something extra enquire about our drinks and canapes package for a bit more luxury – available for up to 80 people.

Tramway Restaurant – book an extra special event on the Tramway Restaurant. Seating up to 36 people over two sections, there are options to hire the whole tram or one of the two sections. Private lunches and afternoon teas are also available on request for dining with a difference on our elegant tram car. An unforgettable experience.

Hanmer Springs Attractions – there are activities galore at Hanmer Springs Attractions. Jump on our Hanmer Springs Jet Boat for some thrilling fun that will have everyone grinning, grab the paintball guns for an epic battle or try to best the rest of the team at clay bird shooting. There’s also rafting, quad biking and canoeing available for smaller groups. Only 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch and with the hot pools in the village and various wineries on the way, Hanmer Springs makes for a great day trip for your next team outing.

Enquire with us about your next event: we’re happy to help to ensure your function is one to remember!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Stuck for ideas about how to treat your special someone? We’ve got some great ideas for spending Valentine’s Day in Christchurch:

Tramway Restaurant – offering a unique dining experience in a cosy environment perfect for date nights, dinner on the Tramway Restaurant is sure to be a hit. The late service is fully booked but there are still tables available for the early service – be in quick to book!

Punting on the Avon – it’s hard to find something more romantic than Punting down the Avon River! Book a 45-minute private tour (the standard 30-minute tours are all shared rides, so make sure you request a private one) and bring along some nibbles to share on board.

Picnicking – picnics are super romantic on a sunny day! Pack a basket and find a cosy spot in the Botanic Gardens, Mona Vale Gardens, on a riverbank – or even head to the top of the Gondola or Godley Head for a picnic with a view!

Adrenaline-filled fun – looking for something a bit more action-packed? Head up to Hanmer Springs Attractions and choose from jet boating, bungy jumping, quad biking, rafting and more for awesome activities that will get your hearts pumping. Pop along to soak in the thermal pools or book in for a couple’s massage at The Spa to make a day of it.

Joining us at any of our Christchurch or Hanmer Springs Attractions on Valentine’s Day? Share your photos on social media with the hashtags #ChristchurchAttractions or #HanmerSpringsAttractions and #ValentinesDay2019!

There is no better place to be in Christchurch than in the beautiful Botanic Gardens on a sunny day! Check out our must-see tips for the gardens over summer:

Deep South Lazy Sundays – we love relaxing on the Archery Lawn listening to great musicians on Sunday afternoons in summer! Pop along with some snacks and a blanket for free live music between 3pm and 4:30pm on Sundays from 20 January to 17 February 2019.

Seasonal blooms: summer in the Botanic Gardens means the roses are out in bloom and are smelling fantastic! Don’t miss the amazing show of dahlias surrounding the Central Rose Garden (around 90% of the varieties here come from New Zealand breeders) or the beautiful display of begonias in the Townend House conservatory.

Theatre and buskers: the buskers are back for another busy summer! Check the Bread and Circus: World Buskers Festival 2019 schedule to see who is performing by the Peacock Fountain between 10 January and 3 February 2019. Plus Anthony Harper Summer Theatre is back for another year, this time with Rollicking Entertainment performing King Arthur between 27 February and 17 March 2019 on the Murray Aynsley Lawn.

Picnic time – summer is the perfect time for a picnic in the Botanic Gardens! Pack a basket and find a nice shady spot to while away an hour or two. Why not hop on a Botanic Gardens Tour, punt tour or tram ride to make a day of it?