The Solo Scale:

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Christchurch has lots on tap if you’re a tourist visiting for the first time. You could go to the earthquake museum. You could go to the Antarctic Centre. If you’re looking for a great view, you could take the gondola up to get a view of the city and the nearby mountains as well as getting some great hiking in. For those who are real aficionados of transport, you could take the tram around the city for both the experience and for the secondary benefit of getting where you want to go.

However, if it’s nature that you’re after, return to the central part of Christchurch. The Botanic Gardens (or a nearby option of going punting on the River Avon!) are the best bet for spending an afternoon in the city. In the Cultural District, the Botanic Gardens is one reason why Christchurch is the “Garden City”.

One of the best parts about the gardens is that entry is free. If you want to take the “Caterpillar Tour”, which is a tram tour around the garden, you’ll pay for that. It’s currently $30 NZD, but if you book online, you can often get pretty decent discounts . If you’re on a budget, there are also free walking tours that you can join to learn more!

The Caterpillar Tour

When I visited, I opted into this great tour, operated by Botanic Gardens Tours. When I visited, it was fall, so many of the blooms had already fallen off as the chill had arrived in the city. However, that also meant that it wasn’t a very busy day. There were only three other people on the tram with me. They were operating using parking trams — the things you pick up and ride at massive parking lots to save your legs from walking.

I did take one of the last tours of the day. That meant both the cacti and the orchid pavilions were about to close. If you don’t want to feel rushed, make sure you take an earlier guided tour.

Even with that, you feel truly in the midst of a fantastical garden. The massive trees alone are one of the best reasons to linger and walk around the grounds after the tour is done. Luckily, you can do that, since they won’t kick you out. You can walk along the Avon to see punters and the boaters going by, stop by some of the more themed gardens, and spend more time in the outdoor areas.

When you’re finished traversing the grounds, you’re right in the Cultural District. You can pop into the Canterbury Museum just next door. That’s what I did, and really enjoyed the experience. If you want to simply wander to your heart’s content, you can explore as long as you like.

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For more information about the Gardens, such as opening hours, what other things you can see, and exhibits, you can visit their website here. To book a ride on the Caterpillar, head to the website here to get tickets (and discounts!).