Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ page of Christchurch Attractions! This is your comprehensive guide to some of the most frequently asked questions about our stunning sites and memorable experiences. We understand that planning a visit can often bring up a lot of questions, so we’ve compiled a list of answers to the queries we hear most often.
Christchurch Gondola
The Christchurch Gondola officially opened on 24th November 1992.
On average, the ride takes about 10 minutes although top speed allows us to make the ride time 4 minutes 30 seconds.
No, unfortunately our Christchurch Tram route does not extend to the Gondola. The Gondola is a 15-minute drive by car from central Christchurch, and is also accessible via public bus number 8 which departs from the Christchurch Bus Interchange and stops at the door of our Gondola Base Station.
Our base station is wheelchair accessible and one wheelchair is available for guests to borrow from reception. Our cabins are wheelchair accessible for manual wheelchairs no wider than 600mm due to the cabin doorway width. An elevator is available at the summit station for wheelchair-bound guests to access the café & observatory and functions space levels. Please note that the Christchurch Discovery Ride is not wheelchair accessible.
We recommend that guests do not leave valuables in their vehicles at any time.
Yes, one-way tickets are available to purchase at our Gondola base station or at our retail store at the summit station. Current pricing is $25 per adult, $12 per child and $62 per family.
Christchurch Tram
Approximately 50 mins for one circuit, but tickets are valid for hop-on hop-off travel for one calendar day.
Approximately every 10-15 minutes in summer and every 15-25 minutes in winter.
There are currently 18 stops throughout central Christchurch. Customers can hop on and off at any stop, and our trams will pause at every stop so there is no need to alert the driver in advance that you would like to board or disembark.
Tickets can be purchased online through our website, from our Booking Office at stop 1 in Cathedral Junction, or from our drivers at any of our stops. We also have mobile ticket sellers called Tram Hosts who may be at selected stops to sell tickets to our customers. We accept cash and Eftpos/credit card payments at all of our in-person selling locations.
If you have pre-purchased a ticket online through our Christchurch Attractions website, you can collect your tickets at our Booking Office at stop 1 in Cathedral Junction or from our drivers at any of our stops. You will just need to show our staff the booking confirmation and quote your booking reference (CHXXXXXX) in order to collect your tickets.
Please note that if you have purchased your tickets through an online seller such as Book Me, GrabOne, Viator or through a travel agent, you will need to visit our Booking Office to collect your tickets.
Two of our Trams are able to accommodate up to two manual wheelchairs on board at one time using the wheelchair hoist located in Cathedral Junction (please note that motorised wheelchairs are too heavy for the hoist to lift, and the maximum safe working load is 250kg). We recommend phoning ahead on the day on 03 366 7830 to check whether wheelchair-accessible trams are operating and what time they will be departing from Cathedral Junction.
Two to three small, folded prams can be accommodated on board each of the larger trams (please note that the smaller trams are not able to accommodate folded trams so as not to block access to the aisles). Several trams also have pram hooks available to secure up to two prams to the exterior of the trams.
Punting on the Avon
Our standard shared ride is 30 minutes, as is our private ride option.
The ride will start at either the Antigua Boat Sheds or Worcester Bridge depending on which tour option you purchase. The Antigua Boat Sheds ride will finish at the same location and the Worcester Bridge ride will end at Victoria Square. There are no options to disembark from the ride any earlier due to health and safety reasons.
Winter in Christchurch can be quite chilly, so we have woolen blankets available at both sites and heat packs available at the Antigua Boat Sheds site to keep our guests warm on board in the colder winter months. We also have umbrellas and waterproof blankets available for guests to keep dry on showery or rainy days.
Unfortunately Punting on the Avon is not wheelchair accessible. For guests who are able to step out of their chair, our Antigua Boat Sheds and Worcester Bridge landings are accessible by wheelchair for guests to then step out of their chairs to take a seat on board the punts. Parties that include a wheelchair-bound guest are also welcome to lift the chair in and out of the punt if they wish to. Please contact our staff on 03 366 0337 for further details.
Christchurch Pass
The Christchurch Pass includes tickets for a return Christchurch Gondola ride, a 30-minute shared Punting on the Avon tour and an all-day Christchurch Tram pass.
No, you can choose to visit the attractions over more than one day if you wish to (i.e. you could visit the Christchurch Tram and Punting on the Avon one day, and the Christchurch Gondola on the following day).
The Christchurch Pass allows you to organise your day so you can visit the attractions in whichever order you would like. A suggested itinerary could include:
10:00am – 10:30am Punting on the Avon (example time only – bookings essential)
11:00am – 12:30pm Christchurch Gondola
1:00pm onwards Christchurch Tram (you can hop on and off with your ticket)
*Transport to and from the Gondola via private car or public bus #8
Please note this is a suggested itinerary only. Bookings are essential for Punting: please phone +64 3 366 0337 to schedule a time.
Botanic Gardens Tour
Approximately 40 mins for one full trip, but tickets are valid to hop on and off the tour at the three stops.
The Botanic Gardens Tour departs from behind the Peacock Fountain at 11am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm Thursday – Sunday in winter, and on the half hour from 10am until 4pm (excluding 1pm and 1:30pm when our drivers will be taking breaks) daily in summer.
There are three stops included on the tour, including the main departure point which is located behind the Peacock Fountain in the Botanic Gardens: from the main entrance on Rolleston Avenue, walk straight ahead and around the Peacock Fountain where you will see our purple teardrop flag marking the departure point. The other stops included on the tour are outside the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre and the Woodland Bridge.
Tickets can be purchased online through our website, from the Christchurch Attractions Booking Office in Cathedral Junction, or from our Botanic Gardens Tour drivers at any of our stops. We accept cash and Eftpos/credit card payments at our in-person selling locations.
Unfortunately the Botanic Gardens Tour is not wheelchair accessible. For guests who are able to step out of their chair and on to the shuttle, wheelchairs and walking frames can be left at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre while on the tour. Please contact our staff on 03 366 7830 for further details.
Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
Our $135 menu package includes a welcome drink, starter, entrée, main, dessert, and tea or coffee.
Our 7:00pm and 7:30pm dinner services take approximately 2.5 hours. The Tramway Restaurant usually completes 2-3 circuits of our 5-kilometre tram route during this time.
This is a very popular experience, so bookings are essential. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a table, particularly for weekends or busy travel periods.
Please note that the Tramway Restaurant experience is not recommended for children aged under 10 years, and children aged 5 years and under may not dine for safety reasons. Our standard menu and pricing apply for all children aged 6 years and over who are booked on board.
Yes, our menu includes gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options (we do recommend letting us know about these requirements when you book).
We can cater for all other dietary requirements (including coeliac disease) with advance notice: please contact our reservations team on 03 366 7830 or at info@christchurchattractions.nz at least three days prior to your booking date to advise your requirements and chat through options with our team.
Yes, a small airplane-style restroom is available on board. The tram also stops partway through service to allow guests to stretch their legs and use the larger restroom facilities in Cathedral Junction.
Unfortunately, the Tramway Restaurant is not wheelchair accessible. For guests who are able to step out of their chair, our staff can use the wheelchair hoist in Cathedral Junction to lift manual wheelchairs up to the entrance of the tram so that guests can walk the 3-4 metre distance to a nearby table. Please phone our staff on 03 366 7830 in advance for us to organise a table near the entrance and to have the wheelchair hoist ready to operate (please note that the wheelchair hoist has a maximum working load of 250kg).
Other Questions
Occasionally we offer promo codes for discounted tickets during specific promotions (such as kids go free at the Gondola for KidsFest or our school holiday Jet specials at Hanmer Springs Attractions). These promo codes are advertised on our website and social media pages and can be used for online purchases.
Please note that all other discount material (including Entertainment Book vouchers, discount vouchers from accommodation providers, and discount coupons from travel guides) must be presented when purchasing tickets in person at the attractions in order for the discount to apply. These discounts are not valid for online bookings.
The Christchurch Tram and Christchurch Gondola are both participating businesses in the Hāpai Access Card scheme. You can find out more about what we offer for Hāpai Access Card holders on the Hāpai Foundation website.
Please note that as KiwiAble Cards have been discontinued, we will only be accepting the Hāpai Access Card at the Tram and Gondola.
Unfortunately we do not offer senior rates at our attractions. We offer adult tickets for guests aged 16 years and over, child tickets for guests aged 5-15 years inclusive, and family tickets valid for two adults and up to three children. Infants aged under 5 years enter the attractions free of charge.
No, you are welcome to visit the attractions included in your combo ticket on different days if you wish to.
Please note that only certified disability assist dogs wearing their official harnesses are allowed at our attractions.
For guests bringing their disability assist dog on the Tramway Restaurant, we ask that you please advise our team in advance so we can allocate you an appropriate table and can notify other diners as a courtesy in case they have allergies to dogs.