Gardens, parks & punting
Christchurch wears its "Garden City" name proudly. At its heart lie the historic Botanic Gardens and the vast green of Hagley Park, wrapped by the willow-lined Avon — a river you can drift along by punt, poled by a boater-hatted guide. It's leafy, tranquil and beautiful in every season, from spring daffodils to autumn oaks. Here's how to enjoy the greenest side of the city.
A green heart
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, are among the finest in the country — famous rose gardens, heritage conservatories, a fern house and towering old trees, all free to enjoy beside the Avon. They sit within Hagley Park, a huge central green of sports fields, tree-lined avenues and spring daffodils. Allow half a day to wander, picnic and relax. See our South Island tours.
Punting the Avon
No Garden City visit is complete without punting the Avon. Settle back as a punter poles you along the willow-shaded river — through the Botanic Gardens from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, or past the rebuilt centre and the Earthquake Memorial. It's serene, scenic and lasts about half an hour, running year-round. Pair it with a garden stroll and a riverside coffee. See our city centre guide.
Blossom, roses & autumn gold
The gardens shift with the seasons. Spring brings cherry blossom and Hagley Park's famous daffodils; summer is peak for the rose gardens and long, warm evenings; and autumn sets the oaks and exotics ablaze along the Avon. Even winter has a crisp, bare-branched beauty. Whenever you visit, the green heart of Christchurch delivers. See our best time to visit guide.
The Garden City: your questions
Because it's wonderfully green. At its heart are the world-class Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the vast Hagley Park, wrapped by the willow-lined Avon River, and the streets are lined with English-style trees that blaze in autumn and blossom in spring. Add countless private and public gardens and it earns the "Garden City" name many times over. See our things to do guide.
Yes — punting on the Avon is a Christchurch classic. A boater-hatted punter poles you gently along the willow-fringed river, either through the Botanic Gardens from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, or through the city centre. It's relaxing, scenic and quintessentially "Garden City." Trips run year-round and take around 30 minutes. See our South Island tours.
The Botanic Gardens (founded 1863) hold magnificent rose gardens, heritage conservatories, a fern house, herbaceous borders and giant heritage trees, all beside the Avon. They sit within Hagley Park, a huge central green space with sports fields, walking and cycling paths and spring daffodils. Entry is free, and you could happily spend half a day. See our families & wildlife guide.
Both are glorious. Spring (September–November) brings cherry blossom and swathes of daffodils in Hagley Park, and the rose gardens peak in summer. Autumn (April–May) turns the oaks and other exotics gold and russet — spectacular along the Avon. There's colour and beauty in every season. See our best time to visit guide.
Yes — the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park are free to enjoy, open daily. Punting, the gondola and guided garden tours are paid extras, but simply wandering the gardens, picnicking in the park or strolling the Avon costs nothing. It's one of the loveliest free things to do in New Zealand. See our things to do guide.