Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #1 in Christchurch, New Zealand

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Churches & Art
Nature
Water & Wind
Historical
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Tour Facts

Number of sights 11 sights
Distance 2.3 km
Ascend 40 m
Descend 43 m

Experience Christchurch in New Zealand in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Individual Sights in Christchurch

Sight 1: Christchurch Botanic Gardens

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The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, were founded in 1863 when an English oak was planted to commemorate the solemnisation of the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The gardens sprawl over an area of 21 hectares and lie adjacent to the loop of the Avon River next to Hagley Park. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens have a variety of collections of exotic and local plants of New Zealand, several conservatories, a nursery, playground and Climatological Station.

Wikipedia: Christchurch Botanic Gardens (EN)

340 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 2: Robert McDougall Gallery

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The Robert McDougall Art Gallery is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by Edward Armstrong and it opened in 1932. It is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand and is located within the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Wikipedia: Robert McDougall Art Gallery (EN)

137 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 3: Canterbury Museum

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Canterbury Museum

The Canterbury Museum is a museum located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the city's Cultural Precinct. The museum was established in 1867 with Julius von Haast – whose collection formed its core – as its first director. The building is registered as a "Historic Place – Category I" by Heritage New Zealand.

Wikipedia: Canterbury Museum, Christchurch (EN), Website

249 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 4: Christchurch Arts Centre

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Christchurch Arts Centre

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is a hub for arts, culture, education, creativity and entrepreneurship in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the Gothic Revival former Canterbury College, Christchurch Boys' High School and Christchurch Girls' High School buildings, many of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort. The centre is a national landmark and taonga as it is home to New Zealand's largest collection of category one heritage buildings with 21 of the 23 buildings covered by Heritage New Zealand listings.

Wikipedia: Christchurch Arts Centre (EN), Website

394 meters / 5 minutes

Sight 5: Our City O-Tautahi

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Our City, more formally Our City O-Tautahi, also known as the Old Municipal Chambers, is a Queen Anne style building on the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace in the Christchurch Central City. It is a Category I heritage building registered with Heritage New Zealand. From 1887 to 1924 it was used by Christchurch City Council as their civic offices, providing room for meetings of the council and for housing staff, before they moved to the Civic. It was then used for many decades by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and served as the main tourist information. It was last used as an exhibition and events centre before being damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. It is due to be reopened in June 2024.

Wikipedia: Our City, Christchurch (EN)

206 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 6: John Robert Godley

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The Godley Statue is a bronze statue situated in Cathedral Square in Christchurch, New Zealand. It commemorates the "Founder of Canterbury" John Robert Godley. It was the first statue portraying a person in New Zealand. The statue fell off its plinth in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and time capsules were discovered inside the plinth. It was four years before the statue was returned to its position.

Wikipedia: Godley Statue (EN)

14 meters / 0 minutes

Sight 7: Citizens' War Memorial

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Citizens' War MemorialRoger Wong from Hobart, Australia / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Citizens' War Memorial in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, is one of the two major memorials in the city to World War I. It is located immediately north of ChristChurch Cathedral. The annual Anzac Day service was held there until the February 2011 earthquake; since then the memorial has been behind the fence around the cathedral. It is a Category I heritage structure registered with Heritage New Zealand. Between 2021 and 2022, the memorial was repaired and shifted 50 metres (160 ft) to the west. The Citizens' War Memorial was used for the 2023 ANZAC day dawn service in Christchurch.

Wikipedia: Citizens' War Memorial (EN)

256 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 8: Isaac Theatre Royal

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The Isaac Theatre Royal is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed by brothers Sidney and Alfred Luttrell. Built in 1908, it is the only operational Edwardian-style theatre remaining in New Zealand.

Wikipedia: Isaac Theatre Royal (EN), Website

288 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 9: Queen Victoria Statue / Christchurch South African War memorial

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The statue of Queen Victoria is a large bronze statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square, Christchurch. Sculpted by British artist Francis John Williamson, it was erected in 1903 as a monument to the Queen as well as the settlement of the Canterbury Province and a memorial to soldiers fighting in the South African wars.

Wikipedia: Queen Victoria Statue, Christchurch (EN)

107 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 10: James Cook Statue

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The Cook Statue in Victoria Square, Christchurch, commemorates the three journeys of James Cook to New Zealand. The statue, sculpted by William Trethewey, was unveiled on 10 August 1932 by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. It was donated by bookmaker and philanthropist Matthew Barnett (1861–1935).

Wikipedia: Cook Statue, Christchurch (EN)

279 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 11: Christchurch Town Hall

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The Christchurch Town Hall, since 2007 formally known as the Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts, opened in 1972, is Christchurch, New Zealand's premier performing arts centre. It is located in the central city on the banks of the Avon River overlooking Victoria Square, opposite the former location of the demolished Christchurch Convention Centre. Due to significant damage sustained during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, it was closed until 2019. Council staff initially recommended demolition of all but the main auditorium, but at a meeting in November 2012, councillors voted to rebuild the entire hall. In 2020, the town hall was registered as a Category I heritage building.

Wikipedia: Christchurch Town Hall (EN), Website

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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