Experience Christchurch’s world-class heritage with a guided tour. From architectural triumphs to awe-inspiring stained glass, there is much to see and explore.
Self-guided multimedia guide tours available online or onsite. Online ticket holders can reschedule their tickets free of charge up to 2 hours prior to the booked timeslot.
topVIEW interactive 3D virtual tours are a next-level way to show businesses and other physical spaces online. Learn more here.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Featuring free Wi-Fi and a restaurant, Distinction Christchurch Hotel is a stylish sanctuary fronting the rejuvenated Cathedral Square in central Christchurch. The luxury accommodation offers a range of modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini bars.
Located within walking distance of the 2011 quake memorials and Re:START Mall, it provides guests with an ideal base while visiting Christchurch. Guests can also visit Mona Vale Public Park and 185 Empty White Chairs Memorial Park, both within a 10-minute walk.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel has 179 elegant, air-conditioned rooms and suites that are designed to suit a variety of needs and budgets. Each is equipped with a refrigerator, a mini bar, and an electric kettle. In-room amenities include a private bathroom, slippers, and bath sheets.
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Gumption, serves a range of European cuisine. Guests can also relax with a drink in the bar/lounge. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel.
During their stay, visitors can enjoy the on-site gym and an indoor pool. The hotel also features a sauna and conference facilities. A tour desk is on hand to help plan activities and events. For those wanting to dine out, there are a number of restaurants and cafés in the vicinity. The hotel also offers free on-site parking. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel’s shuttle service to local attractions.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is a beautiful landmark that holds 1,400 years of stories to share. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it ranks alongside the Giza Pyramids, Taj Mahal, and Chichen Itza for its “outstanding universal value to humanity”.
In 2011, a massive earthquake destroyed the church’s facade, western porch, and spire. But engineers are using digital collaboration with traditional craft to rebuild it as Christchurch’s spiritual heart and civic nexus.
The project combines the skills of architects, stonemasons, and carpenters with new technologies like 3D printing. This is one of the first instances where digital technology has been used in a cathedral reinstating project. To model the cathedral’s complex architecture, Warren and Mahoney, a Pacific Rim firm, pieced together a digital model from a variety of sources—including the original architects’ drawings, early photographs, panoramic pictures, a catalog of every stone fragment that fell off and has been stored off-site, point clouds, and a laser scan of the existing structure.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the cathedral’s crypt was used as a storehouse of food and commodities, and at one stage even served as a pub, as a letter from 1633 shows. Today, the crypt is home to a series of exhibitions that highlight the Cathedral’s historic collections. The crypt is also where you can enjoy the world-renowned bells of Christ Church Cathedral.
The Precincts
The Precincts is a historic restaurant in the former police patrol house that serves up timeless memories right alongside the ultimate dining experience. From perfectly dry-aged U.S.D.A. Prime steaks to macaroni and cheese that Food Network has called one of the most magnificent sides in the world, there are always classic favorites – and new culinary horizons – to discover at The Precincts.
The Internet Gateway regional travel guides and Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure NZ website are excellent resources for planning your trip to Christchurch or anywhere else in New Zealand. If you like virtual tours, you can also visit New Zealand with a program called World Wind (developed by NASA) or Google Earth, but it requires a fast Internet connection and a substantial download.
The Picture Gallery
In the heart of the Christchurch CBD is the world class Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Featuring large gallery spaces filled with modern New Zealand art, this gallery provides a unique perspective of our local history and culture. A highlight of this gallery is the recent exhibition ‘Te Wheke: Pathways Across Oceania’, which offers a rich vantage point for considering the tensions and affordances of displacement.
For more information about this gallery, visit the official website. There you can find out more about the exhibitions, and book tickets. The gallery is open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm. Admission is PS6 Adults & PS3 Concessions. Group visits must be pre-booked and a minimum of one week’s notice is required.
In 1765, army officer John Guise bequeathed his collection of 200 paintings and 2,000 drawings to his former college. The Picture Gallery was able to jumpstart the study of art at Oxford because it provided students with access to a robust collection without having to travel to Italy or gain entry to England’s stately homes. Today, the gallery’s internationally renowned collection of Old Master paintings – including works by Fra Angelico, Salvator Rosa, and Paolo Veronese – is displayed in a purpose-built gallery designed by architects Powell and Moya. The collection also includes a large number of important Old Master drawings, including sheets by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. 3D tour Christchurch