Explore Otautahi — the Two Moon’s Farm guide to Christchurch

Wonderguide by

Caitlin Kanis

Explore Otautahi — Christchurch

This is the Two Moons Farm guide to the Garden City!

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Otautahi

Get to know Christchurch

Image - Punting On The Avon
Place
Punting On The Avon
Caitlin:A really fun and relaxing way to settle in to the vibes of the city. Just as fun for families as it is for a pre-dinner date!
Image - SCAPE Public Art Exhibit
Place
SCAPE Public Art Exhibit
Caitlin:Christchurch is the capital of street art. Find out why!
Image - Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Place
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Caitlin:Beautiful and free to visit, these beautiful gardens have something for everyone. A very cool playground and shallow pool for little ones, along with ducks and eels to feed, it’s great for kids too.
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Image - Gap Filler
Place
Gap Filler
Caitlin:More street art and interactive design.
Image - Cave Rock / Tuawera
Place
Cave Rock / Tuawera
Caitlin:Visit this popular stretch of beach, enter the cave and make a wish in the rock pools!
Image - The Crossing
Place
The Crossing
Caitlin:Shop til you drop!
Image - The Tannery
Place
The Tannery
Caitlin:Boutique shops and good eats!
Image - Christchurch Gondola
Place
Christchurch Gondola
Caitlin:See it all. Christchurch attractions have packages for this with the tram in the city and punting on the Avon. It’s a great way to see the city!
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Image - Ohinetahi
Place
Ohinetahi
Caitlin:Art gardens!
Image - The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
Place
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
Caitlin:Something for everyone.
Image - Christchurch Town Hall
Place
Christchurch Town Hall
Caitlin:A beautiful place to catch a show
Image - Riccarton Bush
Place
Riccarton Bush
Caitlin:The last remnant of the ancient beech forest once covering the area.
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You gotta eat!

Choice places to chow down.

Image - Little High Eatery
Place
Little High Eatery
Caitlin:Something for everyone at this collection of restaurants, featuring delicious cuisine from around the world.
Image - Kawa Cafe
Place
Kawa Cafe
Caitlin:A favorite secret spot for lunch! Healthy food, made mostly from ingredients grown onsite!
Image - Terra Viva Home & Garden
Place
Terra Viva Home & Garden
Caitlin:One of the best cafes in town.
Image - Hartnell's
Place
Hartnell's
Caitlin:Delicious coffees just up the road.
Image - The Old Vicarage Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
Place
The Old Vicarage Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
Caitlin:Serving food all day every day, this is a neighbourhood happy hour favorite!
Image - Amazonita
Place
Amazonita
Caitlin:Try the Caprese salad!
Image - Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria
Place
Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria
Caitlin:Eat like one of the family at this traditional Italian restaurant.
Image - Little River Gallery
Place
Little River Gallery
Caitlin:Find a wide array of local art as well as delicious food. Halfway to Akaroa, it’s perfect to stop for brunch!
Image - Cassels & Sons Brewing
Place
Cassels & Sons Brewing
Caitlin:Best pizza in the city! The calamari is good too! Oh... and the beer!
Image - She Universe @ The Tannery
Place
She Universe @ The Tannery
Caitlin:Chocolate!

Adventures!

Get out and amongst it in nature!

Image - Birdlings Flat Beach
Place
Birdlings Flat Beach
Caitlin:A fantastic place to collect rocks! See geology in action, and spend time combing the rocky beach for the perfect pebble.
Image - Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
Place
Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
Caitlin:A great scenic walk around the area. For those who are more adventurous, you can hike upstream as it runs through a cave. Take a headlamp and some warm clothes!
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Image - Castle Hill
Place
Castle Hill
Caitlin:This sacred site is one of my favourite places to be. It’s a great excursion for families or solo travelers alike, and has some level of adventure for everyone. Large limestone rocks rise out of the hillside, making it look like a castle from afar. Explore the maze of rocks, do some bouldering, or just take a million photos for instagram.
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Image - Victoria Park
Place
Victoria Park
Caitlin:See the city from above! Several short walks get you into the bush in the heart of the city!
Image - Black Cat Cruises
Place
Black Cat Cruises
Caitlin:Get up close and personal with the wildlife in Akaroa Harbour!
Image - Rakaia Gorge Walkway
Place
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
Caitlin:A beautiful area with short walks along the Rakaia river. If you love rocks, this is great place to find them!
Image - Porters Ski Area
Place
Porters Ski Area
Caitlin:A great local ski club just an hour away!
Image - Bridle Path walk
Place
Bridle Path walk
Caitlin:Hike this popular port hills track and see Lyttleton harbour from the top!
Image - The Giants House
Place
The Giants House
Caitlin:Visit this large scale art garden while in Akaroa, enjoy the views to the harbour.

Nora knows best

All the best spots, according to our 5yo daughter

Image - Margaret Mahy Playground
Place
Margaret Mahy Playground
Caitlin:No kids trip to the city is complete without a trip to Margaret Mahy!
Image - Foster park
Place
Foster park
Caitlin:My daughter’s local spot. Across the street from the Selwyn aquatic
Image - The library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Place
The library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Caitlin:This is a library, and a pool with a big hydro Slide! A neighbourhood favourite.
Image - Tūranga
Place
Tūranga
Caitlin:Get your knowledge on at this enormous public library. Boasting a great cafe and huge children’s area, it’s a great rainy day retreat!
Image - C1 Espresso
Place
C1 Espresso
Caitlin:The kids love it.
Image - YMCA's Clip 'n' Climb
Place
YMCA's Clip 'n' Climb
Caitlin:Adventure inside at clip n climb! Hourly sessions, fun for all ages.
Image - Botanic Gardens Children's playground
Place
Botanic Gardens Children's playground
Caitlin:A sprawling playground and a pool!
Image - Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Place
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Caitlin:See and feed the animals!
Image - Orana Wildlife Park
Place
Orana Wildlife Park
Caitlin:A very cool zoo with a relaxed atmosphere and awesome animals.
Image - Selwyn Aquatic Centre
Place
Selwyn Aquatic Centre
Caitlin:Check out the pool!
Image - Canterbury Museum
Place
Canterbury Museum
Caitlin:A great free museum with cool attractions and a neat kids area.

Something Different

Local Gems

Image - C1 Espresso
Place
C1 Espresso
Caitlin:Get your food delivered to you via pneumatic tube! This creative cafe is sure to please any tastebuds. It’s also very Insta
Image - Red Light District
Place
Red Light District
Caitlin:Enter this speakeasy through a dry cleaners!
Image - Halo Venue
Place
Halo Venue
Caitlin:There is always something a little different on offer at Halo!
Image - The Court Theatre
Place
The Court Theatre
Caitlin:Check out scared scriptless for a night of laughter!
Image - Exchange Christchurch (XCHC)
Place
Exchange Christchurch (XCHC)
Caitlin:See what’s on at the XCHC!
Image - Canterbury Astronomical Society
Place
Canterbury Astronomical Society
Caitlin:See the universe from the telescopes at the RAF observatory.
Image - Steam Scene
Place
Steam Scene
Caitlin:Mini trains and steam train and mini steam trains!
Image - Ballooning Canterbury
Place
Ballooning Canterbury
Caitlin:See Canterbury from above

MTB

Get on your bikes and ride!

Image - Orton Bradley Park
Place
Orton Bradley Park
Caitlin:Great tramping and MTB or BMX tracks!
Image - Halswell Quarry
Place
Halswell Quarry
Caitlin:Ride for free till your heart is content. The MTB trails are popular with locals.
Image - McLeans Forest
Place
McLeans Forest
Caitlin:Casual tracks, great for begi
Image - Travelade Image
Place
Little River Rail Trail
Caitlin:Awesome scenic track following the old railroad line to Akaroa.

Farther Afield

More than 3 hours away

Image - Hokitika
Place
Hokitika
Caitlin:Go west over Arthur’s pass and get some Pounamu!
Image - Hanmer Springs Animal Farm Park
Place
Hanmer Springs Animal Farm Park
Caitlin:Feed and snuggle the wallabies
Image - Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre
Place
Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre
Caitlin:Get into it
Image - Roundhill Ski Area
Place
Roundhill Ski Area
Caitlin:Love round hill!
Image - Punakaiki
Place
Punakaiki
Caitlin:See the pancake rocks and explore this ancient site.

Wonderguide map

  1. Punting On The Avon
  2. SCAPE Public Art Exhibit
  3. Christchurch Botanic Gardens
  4. Gap Filler
  5. Cave Rock / Tuawera
  6. The Crossing
  7. The Tannery
  8. Christchurch Gondola
  9. Ohinetahi
  10. The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
  11. Christchurch Town Hall
  12. Riccarton Bush
  13. Little High Eatery
  14. Kawa Cafe
  15. Terra Viva Home & Garden
  16. Hartnell's
  17. The Old Vicarage Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
  18. Amazonita
  19. Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria
  20. Little River Gallery
  21. Cassels & Sons Brewing
  22. She Universe @ The Tannery
  23. Birdlings Flat Beach
  24. Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
  25. Castle Hill
  26. Victoria Park
  27. Black Cat Cruises
  28. Rakaia Gorge Walkway
  29. Porters Ski Area
  30. Bridle Path walk
  31. The Giants House
  32. Margaret Mahy Playground
  33. Foster park
  34. The library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
  35. Tūranga
  36. C1 Espresso
  37. YMCA's Clip 'n' Climb
  38. Botanic Gardens Children's playground
  39. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
  40. Orana Wildlife Park
  41. Selwyn Aquatic Centre
  42. Canterbury Museum
  43. C1 Espresso
  44. Red Light District
  45. Halo Venue
  46. The Court Theatre
  47. Exchange Christchurch (XCHC)
  48. Canterbury Astronomical Society
  49. Steam Scene
  50. Ballooning Canterbury
  51. Orton Bradley Park
  52. Halswell Quarry
  53. McLeans Forest
  54. Little River Rail Trail
  55. Hokitika
  56. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
  57. Hanmer Springs Animal Farm Park
  58. Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre
  59. Roundhill Ski Area
  60. Punakaiki

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High Five Caitlin