Local Information

The International Antarctic Centre is your destination for authentic, interactive fun and provides an exciting experience of Antarctica for visitors of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 2 or 92 – there’s hours of fun here for everyone.
They are located next to Christchurch International Airport.

You’ll visit ‘Antarctica’ the snow and ice experience, survive an Antarctic Storm, learn about life in modern day Antarctica and Scott Base, and hang out with Little Blue Penguins! There’s also the famously exciting Hagglund ride and an awesome simulated 4D cruise, Happy Feet 4D, plus heaps more!

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Adults $59, Children (5-15 years) $29, Family $149

Willowbank is the only place where you can meet New Zealand’s Big 5 wildlife with the cheeky Kea, the ancient Tuatara, the bush parrot the Kaka, the very rare Takahe and of course the Kiwi. Kiwi viewing is guaranteed with no glass to hinder your view!

Feed the eels and make friends with the livestock breeds unique to New Zealand. Listen to the Kiwi as it forages by your feet. Embark on a journey through the history of New Zealand. See the impact of introduced species in ‘Wild NZ’. Meet old livestock breeds in ‘Heritage NZ’ and experience native wildlife in ‘Natural NZ’. Relax and enjoy your experience in conservation.

Open daily from 9.30 am 
Adults $29.50, Children (5-14 years) $12, Family $75

New Zealand’s only open range zoo. The Park is home to New Zealand’s only gorillas and the country’s only orang-utans too!

Set in 80 hectares within 15 minutes’ drive of Christchurch Airport, Orana Wildlife Park provides the ultimate animal adventure. You get up close and personal with the animals.
Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; eye balling the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi or travelling through the Lion Reserve!

Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species. When you visit, you are supporting their conservation work.

 Open daily from 10 am
Adults $34.50, Children (5-14 years) $9.50, Family $78.50

Beautifully restored heritage Tram.
The friendly and knowledgeable drivers will inform you about the city, its landmarks and local sights. Your day-long ticket allows you to get on and off the Tram as often as you please!

The journey takes you to the appropriate stops for Punting on the Avon, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour and the Gondola Shuttle bus.
Cathedral Junction,

The Avon River, Gothic-style Arts Centre, the Canterbury Museum and New Regent Street are just some of sights to be seen from the comfort of your Tram, or accessed from the 17 stops en route.

Open daily from
9 am to 6 pm (Sept-March),
10 am to 5 pm (April-August).
Adults $25, Children Free.

This is the only Tram Restaurant in New Zealand.
They offer you a unique way to view the inner city of Christchurch while enjoying a delicious evening dinner.

Experience the luxury of the 36 seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and be treated to the finest service, cuisine and beverages New Zealand has to offer. Incorporate fabulous dining with a sightseeing tour showcasing Christchurch’s inner city vibrancy and heritage – truly a mix of the old and the new.

The Christchurch Tramway Restaurant dinner tour is a unique activity.
The experience takes approximately 2 ½ hours, including a welcome drink, four-course meal, tea or coffee and a tram ride.

Open daily from
7 pm (March-October), 7.30 pm (November-February)
Bookings essential, Adults from $109

21 hectares (51 acres) of botanic gardens and park surrounded by the Avon River.

Enjoy a day at the gardens walking the long broad paths or relaxing with a picnic amongst the ancient trees. There are a multitude of picnic spots suitable for every group.
The children’s playground and paddling pool (Summer only) are a popular part of the gardens and a great place to entertain children.

Volunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens conduct guided tours daily from
mid-September through to the end of April,
at a cost of $10 per person.
These provide an introduction to the Gardens, their history,
management and seasonal highlights.

Tours are 1.5 hours and depart daily from the Canterbury Museum entrance at 1.30 pm, returning at 3 pm.

Caterpillar Garden Tours operate a guided audio tour of the Gardens in electric shuttles. 10 am to 4 pm (November – March), 11 am to 3pm (April-October).
Adult $20, Children (under 15) $9

Open from 7 am daily.

Admire the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens or the changing face of the city centre as you are expertly guided gently along the Avon River on authentic Edwardian Punting tours.

Summer or Winter, glide along the tranquil Avon River in Christchurch, as a skilled Punter in traditional Edwardian attire propels you slowly along the water.

The tours are set aboard handcrafted flat-bottomed boats, poled along by your Punter from the platformed till at the rear end of the boat. An ideal group or family activity, Punting on the Avon is an eco-friendly way to relax and enjoy Christchurch from a different perspective.

The experience is 30 minutes long, including a live commentary, blankets if the weather is cold, umbrellas and waterproof blankets if raining.

All standard Punt rides are shared rides. For customers wishing to take a private Punt ride, 45-minute private tours are available to book for $50 per adult and $25 per child (a minimum of two adults applies).

Open daily from
9 am to 6 pm (October-March),
10 am to 4 pm (April-September).
Adults $28, Children (5-15 years) $12, Family $69

Christchurch Casino offers guests of Avon City Motel a free pick up and drop off between 6 pm and 2 am daily.

Experience the latest in gaming technology on 500 gaming machines and 36 table games or enjoy plenty of fine dining options in three restaurants and two bars.

The Casino is open 24 hours a day.

6 minutes drive from Avon City Motel. 

The Everglades Country Club is a 9 hole course established in 1967.

The course is bordered by the Kaputone Stream on two sides and is a straight forward layout with two tees and one flag on each green for 18 holes of golf.

The challenge is to negotiate the tight lined fairways and relatively small greens.

Playing groups are varied weekly to encourage getting to know fellow members in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

All club day starts are run as a Shotgun start to allow for a collective finish after your round.

Men’s Par is 64
Ladies Par is 68

Green Fee players are always welcome with green fees costing $20.00 per round of 18 holes and $10 per round of 9 holes.

They have Loyalty Cards for 18 and 9 hole players.
Pay for 5 games and get your 6th game free.

15 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

Canterbury’s oldest golf course is right in the middle of the city.
First established in the 1870s, the course hosted the 1893 New Zealand Championship.

The Course has a par of 72 and is 5814 metres in length off the White tee markers and 5030 off the Yellow.
Membership rates are very competitive with special deals for new members as well as a range of memberships to fit most golfer’s needs.

Hagley Golf Club is a great course for a casual round of golf and will appeal to those on holiday just as much as those who take their golf more seriously. There is a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that goes well with the surroundings and you will sometimes feel that you are going on a gentle stroll through the park rather than playing a round of golf.

12 minute drive from Avon City Motel.

A challenging, contrasting course offering something for players of all skill levels. A variety of membership packages ensures you can choose an option which best suits you and your family.

Harewood Golf Club is proud to offer the Woodlands Course, a challenging, and contrasting golf course. The Woodlands course is very well drained and has excellent greens, year round. The fairways seem relatively flat but are, in fact, deceptively undulating. When you add in the spectacular views of the Southern Alps and the Port Hills in the background, you’re sure to enjoy your day.

To help you warm up, there is a new practice area including a putting, chipping and bunker facility with large practice fairways available for use.

Recently opened is the 23 bay Driving Range. This is available for use by the General Public as well as Members.
There is also a large grassed tee area beside the covered range.

Pricing for the Range is based per bucket of balls or there are options for Concession Cards.

Options include: 5,10,20 bucket concession cards
Individual Buckets are also available 25,50,100 balls
Hours of operation are currently
8.00 am until 6.00 pm (last buckets sold).

13 minutes drive from Avon City Motel. 

The Club was founded in 1907, with a purpose to develop the game of golf. This links course provides a fair test of golf for all levels. The 18 hole links course has well-groomed undulating fairways and rolling greens and a clubhouse with full catering services and friendly country hospitality.

17 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

Set in the tranquility of the country, yet close to town. Opposite the Orana Wildlife Park in the tranquil countryside.

The McLeans Island Golf Course is rated by many as a fine test of your golfing skills.

Beautifully groomed, flat & easy to walk, the irrigated greens, tees and fairways all drain well to allow play in all weathers.

Blue – 6149m, Par 72

White – 5679m, Par 72

Yellow – 5324m, Par 72

10 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

The Christchurch Golf Club, at Shirley Links, has a heritage that dates back to 1873 making it the second oldest club in New Zealand, and the seventh oldest outside the UK.

Recent improvements include a new professional shop, car park, driving range, practice green, and the construction of a new, architecturally designed Clubhouse following the February 2011 Earthquake. An upgrade of the course was carried out under the supervision of the renowned course architect, Peter Thomson.

They take pride in our course and its idyllic setting. But, more than that, The Christchurch Golf Club provides a prestigious venue for events small and large, and a welcoming, vibrant environment where life-long friends are made.

9 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

The Russley Golf Club is home to one of New Zealand’s premier golf courses.
The par 72 championship golf course is set in beautiful parkland, and has recently been transformed by a complete redesign of the back nine by leading architect, Greg Turner.

The club is open to locals and visitors alike, and offers five sets of tees to challenge players of all ages and abilities.

Expert tuition is available from their dedicated PGA professionals for both beginners and experienced players. Instruction takes place on the first class facilities in specific areas for each part of the game.

The Russley golf complex includes a high quality practice range, putting and chipping greens, women’s and men’s changing rooms, and a well-stocked golf shop. Rental clubs are available.

After your game you can relax at Number 19, their well-appointed café and bar.

Best of all, you will be made to feel very welcome. Newcomers are always welcomed and can join an introductory program.

Building a new clubhouse was embarked upon in the early 1990’s and by October 1994 the vision became reality. From the new clubhouse you get a wonderful vista of the golf course as well as a warm, modern building.

12 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

Waimairi Beach Golf Club enjoys a strong reputation as a professional, friendly club welcoming all players of any ability. Members and visitors to the club take advantage of extremely competitive rates, a great course and modern facilities. Situated in the eastern suburb of Parklands.

The newly renovated course boasts a links style 18 hole layout, a driving range, two practice putting greens and a brand new clubhouse. Set on approximately 44 hectares, the course is relatively short compared to modern standards. However, with a par of 72, the construction has been carefully considered with holes of varying lengths and ominous obstacles to avoid. The new layout is a challenge to players of all levels who nevertheless enjoy the test of their skills around the wetland areas and threatening hazards and bunkers.

You need not be a golfer to take advantage of the club’s hospitality, either. The Clubhouse Café is open to the general public who can enjoy a barista-made coffee and a bite to eat while watching through large windows the competitive activities out on the green.

The club professional, James Oh, offers a wide range of golf gear for sale and hire at the Pro Shop and is available for individual or group coaching sessions.

9 minute drive from Avon City Motel. 

From its immaculate greens to its stunning surroundings,
Waitikiri is a parkland course of great character and challenge offering the most enjoyable walk in golf to players of all abilities.

The course was designed and built around 1937-39 by A.R. Blank. He considered dog-legs the golfer’s best friend or worst enemy, whichever way you prefer to look at it. There are no fewer than thirteen dog-leg holes of varying severity.

The four par 3 holes are highly regarded by golfers. Both the 3rd and 9th holes require a well struck longer club with no room for error. The 12th and 17th are shorter holes which require accurate tee shots to well guarded greens.

The three par 5 holes offer a variety of conditions and layout. The fourth is highlighted by a superbly designed green. The tenth is a risk and reward par 5 which longer hitters may get close to but beware of the difficult up and down if your ball strays left or right. The barrelling long eleventh presents many difficulties.

There are over thirty bunkers on the course. Some are shallow; others like craters.
They are judiciously placed and not always obvious from the tee.

The greens are a strong point at Waitikiri, often running at 10.5-11 on the stimpmeter and provide a truly superb test to the golfer’s putting abilities.