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Top Six Winter Activities In Christchurch

Our Top Picks

Dust off your ‘puffer’, your woolies and thermals and leave hibernation to the bears!

Ōtautahi is a wintertime wonderland waiting to be discovered – and we have you covered (literally) for things to do on a winter’s day.

Wistfully wander wintery trails, seize the day in a sunrise soak, marvel at vistas of the snowcapped Southern Alps, or even weather an indoor storm – you’ll find something seriously cool in New Zealand’s newest city.

Antarctic Centre Activity

Discover the Wonders of the Antarctic

What better way to get out of the winter storm than…experience an even colder one indoors? The International Antarctic Centre celebrates our city’s unique gateway status through interactive experiences and rides. Meet penguins and huskies, ride a Hägglund over bumpy terrain, and learn everything there is to know about this extreme environment.

Discover The International Antarctic Centre
ice skates at Alpine Ice Skate Rink

Carve Out Memories At Alpine Ice

Can’t get enough of the cold? Lace up ya skates and head to Alpine Ice. Open for public skating several times a week, this ice-skating rink is a great place to head for a family day of physical entertainment.
They have everything you need there – all you have to do is check the session times!

Discover Alpine Ice
Christchurch He Puna Taimoana New Brighton Hot Pools - group of people enjoying the sunrise sitting in the hot pools at New Brighton.

Heat Up At He Puna Taimoana

Soak in stunning ocean views while immersed in the five luxurious hot pools. In need of some recovery? Cool off with a dip in the plunge pool or step into the steam room and experience beachside views from the sauna for total relaxation.

Experience the most luxurious session yet, the Sunrise Soak. Perfect for a special occasion, a well-deserved treat or a wonderful gift, Sunrise Soak is the ultimate in pampering and relaxation.

Discover He Puna Taimoana
Stargazing Tekapo

Awe In The Aurora

Winter is the perfect time to witness the Aurora Australis – the Southern Lights. Experience the stellar sights of the Banks Peninsula night sky in this stargazing group tour. Including naked eye, binoculars and telescope observations, learn about the night skies in this immersive experience in one of the darkest places in the world.

Follow your guide Luca as he takes you on a journey of discoveries. On a clear night, it is essentially impossible to run out of objects to look for in the night sky, making stargazing an infinite source of inspiration and amazement! 

Discover Akaroa Stargazing
Christchurch Adventure Park Buildings

Zip Up And Away To See The Southern Alps

Combine the real rush of adrenaline with great views of the city and its sights, where you can see all the way from the ocean to the spectacular Southern Alps on a crisp, clear bluebird day.

You can’t visit Christchurch without a visit to the Christchurch Adventure Park! So take to the skies and get a unique perspective on our corner of the world…

Discover Christchurch Adventure Park
Cactus Camilla Rutherford 0010

Wander In Our Winter Wonderland

Discover our parks, hills, rivers and beaches with an exhilarating walk, hike or bike in the crisp winter air. Rug up, glove up, scarf up and wrap up and make the most of a brisk blue day.

Ōtautahi Christchurch boasts one of the driest winter climates across the motu, and above average sunshine hours help brighten any winter’s day, so beat the winter blues and see why we love to make the most of this time of year.

Discover Christchurch’s Best Walking & Hiking Tracks
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