48 hours in Christchurch

Much like your favourite Swanndri, there’s something about Christchurch you can’t help but warm to. Call it a rich history, a penchant for partying, or maybe a passion for reinvention – whatever it is puts the Garden City right up there with the best of them.

All of which is pretty darn good news when you find yourself with 48 hours to hit the streets here. Everything’s within easy striking distance, so let’s get into it.

First up, if you like a decent feed, boy howdy are you in luck, with a surfeit of tasty tucker on offer at almost every turn.

We’ll start on the fringe in Merivale, just north of Hagley Park, where a tiny restaurant called Gatherings is causing plenty of noise by championing local organic produce on the menu. They also stock a very decent wine cellar, but let’s save the drinking for later. While you’re near, why not take a lazy punt along the Avon River with the team at Antigua Boatsheds, or hire a bike and zip through Hagley Park, the cherry blossom in Spring is Insta-worth it.

If you prefer homemade traditional fare, go further citywards to Estelle on Southwark Street, where Tom and Will serve up elegant versions of your Kiwi favourites on toast, along with a host of yummo desserts.

Or sitting pretty beside the river, those in the know, know Miro - a local hidden gem serving up a unique brunch complete with breakfast cocktails. Yes, you heard that right, breakfast cocktails. Conveniently just a short stagger away from retail central too…

Better still, take the tram and take in the stunning Christchurch Arts Centre. Sure to press your cultural buttons, it’s also home to Frances Nation grocery and traditional homeware store, where you can find locally made kitchenware, and a mighty fine coffee too.

Then saunter up the road to Scorpio Books, a well-loved Christchurch independent local bookstore that’s golden for bookworms of all ages.

Now, we don’t know about you, but we reckon a trip to the Swanndri store at 75 Clarence Street is well worth it any day of the week. But especially between 10am and 5pm, when they’re open.

Once you’re fully kitted out, it’s just a short drive over the Port Hills to Lyttleton and Ata Ceramics, where a bunch of talented locals have really got the wheels of industry turning. Check out their magical pottery here – and not a snitch in sight either. You can’t go past Arbor woodfired pizza on London Street, some of the best pizza out there.

Lyttleton itself has a historical tale or two to tell about early European settlers. And Akaroa on the nearby Banks Peninsula is like a little taste of France on the other side of the world. Decent croissants too.

If it’s ‘me time’ you’re after, maybe soak in the stunning ocean views at He Puna Taimoana hot pools. Or If you’re with the fam, head back into the city and take the kids to explore the hi-tech Tūranga Library or the world class Margaret Mahy playground.. And after all that, you probably deserve a drink.

Our top Christchurch watering holes are a diverse bunch. The Last Word on New Regent Street is a whisky and cocktail lounge you’d be hard pushed to visit just the once. A real laid back vibe here, all right.

Then there’s OGB in Cathedral Square, more old school classy and a real step back in time, after a fashion. Or for a good honest slice of Kiwi hospitality, dip into Smash Palace on High Street, a stalwart of the Christchurch rebuild. Petrolheads of the two-wheel variety should defo check out Thursday Bike Nights here, if your visit coincides.

And so to bed. Happily, you’ve got plenty of great options close by. The towering dome of the Observatory Hotel on Hereford Street is about as distinctive as it gets for an overnighter, located in the former observatory tower (thus the name, aye). The rooms are pretty special too.

For something more contemporary, rest your head at the Mayfair on Victoria Street, a modern boutique hotel that oozes cool. Or for the pinnacle of luxury, choose The George, overlooking Hagley Park and the river. Let’s face it, you can’t get more Christchurch than that.

Now our time in the Garden City is done, but yours could just be starting. So make a point of putting the new Christchurch on your bucket list. You’ll be stoked just how much you can pack into 48 hours here.