For A relaxed Family holiday we choose CHristchurch

                                      *** CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand ***

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. with its Iconic Flat-bottomed punts that glide on the Avon River, winding through the city centre. Locals can enjoy On its banks cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. 

I remember as clear as day Jetstar launching flights to Christchurch for $39.00 way back when - I was online considering my first USA trip at the time when this popup quickly shifted all intentions of a US trip directly to NZ! ..... the flight on offer was for the month of June  - not ideal unless you wanted to ski - well so I thought. 

Sadly In 2010 and 2011, earthquakes destroyed many of the historic centre's stone-built buildings that we managed to capture in memory on our very first visit. 

Now with 2 Visits up my sleeve, one being Pre children and  the second With the family I do have to say this holiday destination should be considered for many reasons, heres why. 

Winter is beautiful there - yes it's cold, Yes, you will need some warmer layers - yet the Pro's are in abundance Less crowds, cheaper attractions, you have the option of a snow visit, you can see the snow from many vantage points, airport easier to navigate with children (less crowd) and you can enjoy the evenings by many a fire side.

 Our last visit allowed us to see the areas of Christchurch and Canterbury in the rebuild stage after suffering the earlier mentioned 2010/2011 earthquake's, this was a mix of emotions seeing the devastation caused and watching the rebirth of what is one of my very favourite churches downtown. A lot has changed with this rebuild opportunity the city is now more updated filling the town with a more modern feel and many fresh pockets to explore. 

The street art is a stand out I can't remember ever seeing street art on previous visits and definitely not this vibrant and beautiful great opportunities are found around the streets to snap yourself that insta worthy pic! 

**  Take the Tram **

Location: 109 Worcester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 10am - 5pm
Price: ADULT $35 |CHILD $5 | UNDER 5 FREE (please read below to understand prices)

Tram Riding is a must - our family really takes things seriously when considering a little rest and reset and what better way than a tram trip. Whats more this is a fantastic budget friendly option for the following reason 

 *ADULTS pay $35 to ride and can take up to 3x children (5-15yrs) FREE

 any additional children (max 5 children) are charged at $5 per child 

so......Per adult can accompany a max of 5 children under the age of 15 (this includes infants)

ALL DAY hop on and off travel you really cant go wrong here. 

Offering  a hop on hop off style travel let the tram lead you right to the attractions throughout the day. Offering  a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. No need for a car here the tram pretty much has you covered. Who wouldn't want to enjoy a trip on one of these restored heritage trams that are one of the city’s most iconic and best-loved attractions! With discounted tickets available here  there is nothing stopping you from enjoying this fun tram service  

**  Cookie Time - cookie store **

Location:  789 Main South Road, Templeton, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 8.30am - 5pm |weekends 9pm - 4.30pm
Price: FREE + Purchases

What a fun stop for both children and adults with a sweet tooth. Lots to choose from at prices that are budget friendly - located off the main factory this little retail store allows visitors to select from many flavours and various shaped cookies - even seconds for the super thrifty in all of us! Easy parking on street and aside the building with fun props and game area for the kids while you browse. It is small it wont take you long to zip and out again its a fun place to stop when passing through. 

**  Orana wildlife park**

Location:  793 McLeans Island Road, Harewood, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 10am - 5PM
Price: ADULTS $39.50 Per person | CHILD 12.50 5-15yrs | Family passes available 

We absolutely loved this zoo on our first visit as 2 young adult travellers a little further back than I'd like to remember ( age snuck up real fast).  The highlight for us then was the Lion encounter and we still do often talk about that now as being one of our very favourite holiday memories.Having revisited here as a family and now parents i have to say this place is still just as amazing. I feel there is a certain unspoken calm found here. Perhaps it's the open plane vibes thats on offer. From the moment you arrive, you are greeted with an abundance of space.

Add to that the opportunities to set your own pace, with well thought out timing for the many up close opportunities available that allow for you to gently enjoy the park without urgency to be a points of interest. Children are catered for on many levels both with the inclusion of farmyard fun and traditional play areas that set themselves in prime location to the BBQ's --leading me to advise you to pack a picnic lunch and make a full day out of this visit. 

The encounters are honestly amazing with options to choose what better suites your interest yet the free opportunities - feeding the Giraffe's was a huge hit with our family, these animals are just so graceful and gentle offering all of us the ability to enjoy some hands on interaction. 

Many other animal enclosures make for some laughter and amazement as you enjoy the animals comfortably owning their space. 

All in all we would always pay a visit here when visiting Christchurch it has the ability to set you on a  little slower pace not often found when holidaying. 

**  Punting on the Avon**

Location:  2 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 10am - 4PM
Price: ADULTS $40 Per person | CHILD $20 Per Person (Under 5 FREE) family pass available 

I have to admit I was not at all in favour of taking two children (under 3) on a boat/punt along the avon yet I was  committed to stepping outside my comfort zone - so off we went! 

What a beautiful adventure we had Punting on the Avon , departing the historic Antigua Boat shed on the punt fitted to carry 8/10 passengers we were in good company with only one seat remaining on our tour. 

Our adventure taking us on a peaceful journey passing the adorable Hagley park a real treat for me being so visually stimulated with its trees finalising the elements of Autumn. Leisurely drifting by wildlife, who have set up home on the banks along the Avon and observing the city surrounds all whilst tucked under the complimentary blankets on board.  This adventure could not have gone any better we secured a fantastic tour guid who offered both humour and an informative insight into our surrounds. The Children loved it and we all survive, spite my pre panicked vision of a boat flip and the need to save my children (LOL)!  

A mini tour at the completion of our ride inside the Antigua Boat Sheds was a nice finishing touch, I also have to say the photo package was something that I would not normally commit to yet so glad I did with its informative design and pockets of information and photos this is still something that sits in our travel room and is often reflected on.      

** The Canterbury Museum**

Location: 11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Opening Hours: Currently closed for full referb (last updated March 2023)
Price: TBA

CURRENTLY UNDER REFERB for the following 5 years, however they will be offering a pop-up venue set to open mid 2023 !!! So around now!

Located in the central city of Christchurch in the city's Cultural Precinct, and right by the Botanical gardens, the Arts Centre, the Christchurch Art Gallery and the Cathedral Square makes this an easy location for visiting  - once inside, although smaller than some  you quickly get a good picture of what the museum wanted to teach its visitors and could easily invest a few hours here if thats the intention. 

It shows local art and the different ways that people decorate themselves using jewellery, masks, patterns and pendants a good one for the children. Another modern nod for the children to absorb, the ecological area, an array of media to educate visitors about the importance of recycling, clean, save water and protect the environment.

This Museum offers a fantastic recreation of a colonial street -furniture, clothing, industrial machinery and scientific, up to the age of expeditions, with a fascinating exhibition on vehicles and all the paraphernalia that surrounds the first and risky visits to Antarctica. Its a really well thought out museum that can be enjoyed by both Geeks and the rest of the family ..hahahaha! 

The museum also has a gift shop with very fine offerings at affordable prices.

I am so excited to hear what this museum will be offering once it reopens its door to the public.

**  NEW REGENT QUARTER**

Location:   New Regent Street, Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY stores vary
Price: FREE to window shop + fun + Purchases

What a beautiful street to enjoy If you are strong enough to resist the temptations!  If you have a few hours then window shopping and poking around here is well worth your while. It's easy to see how this New Regent Street is regarded as a forerunner to other modern shopping malls. Since its rebuild following the 2 previous earthquakes, there is much to celebrate and enjoy here with its return offering a fresh modern look thats still drawing tourists like myself into its spell!

I love architecture, I am also easily pleased if offered a hint of visual character, so its no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed my time (although Brief) here, as Im sure you will.

-New Regent Street is a pedestrian mall in Christchurch. Built as a private development in the early 1930s with 40 shops in Spanish Mission architectural style, it is one of the city's major tourist attractions.

**  Air Force Museum Of New Zealand - Christchurch **

Location: 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 9.30 am - 4.30PM
Price: FREE (Donations welcome) + some attractions

This was a fun stop with food, fun and loads of planes with history, there was something for all of us to enjoy and enjoy we did. The children and I enjoyed playing dress ups and created many imaginative play scenarios whilst the others enjoyed taking in some of the museums more adult inspired exhibits. If you were to pop in now after the new exhibits landed you are able to enjoy a more interactive experience. These are offered in way of the flight simulator, the captured exhibition allows you to take fun photos too.

There are plenty of opportunities for hands-on fun and learning here for families with children 

AND MOST OF IT IS FREE

Pretend to be a jet pilot and climb inside the Vampire or Macchi jet cockpits = FUN

Test out the World War Two bomber’s gun turret = FUN

Try on an Air Force uniform jacket imagine being a pilot =FUN

Buckle up in our scale replica C-130 Hercules cabin= FUN

 and don’t forget to take your mug shot in the “Captured!” exhibition!

Fuller galleries a sweet cafe and updated exhibits together with the new extensions to the Atrium area Is what you can expect when visiting the Air Force Museum Of New Zealand.

**  Christchurch botanical Gardens**

Location:  Rolleston Avenue, Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY 7am - 9PM
Price: FREE + Purchases + Garden tour

Find tickets for Garden tour here 

Another must visit location in Christchurch is the beautiful botanical gardens. We love this place and again extra points for offering the guided caterpillar tour that we all get excited to ride every visit. operating as a guided audio tour of the Gardens enjoy your ride (1hr) these days on the pimped up all-weather electric shuttles. keeping note of the operation times

Tour times:

• Summer (October to March): 10am to 3.30pm daily 
• Winter (April to September): 11am to 3.30pm daily 

What's more as a family visiting - the play area complete with paddling pool (seasonal) and equipment ** accessible**  allow for a fun day out in nature Pack a picnic and enjoy the BBQ areas whilst the children swing, climb, slide the hours away.  The Botanic Gardens here really allow's  wonderful open space for nature play, with it's rock wall and logs for climbing also located near the playground.

There are plenty of ways children can engage with nature around the rest of the grounds whilst you walk off the BBQ lunch. Walking trails that run by huge ponds filled with colourful residents including the friendly ducks, who embellish the landscaped banks are often fun to watch. 

The themed gardens create a great opportunity for a game of eye spy leaving the visitors centre the perfect stop for some treats! 

If you have timed your visit well you may find yourself coinciding with one of the many, many free weekly activities offered in the gardens from environmental chats, children's craft workshops, history talks or the bumper seasonal holiday fun thats on offer here.

There is so much to love about a day here the better part being most of it is free and offers the perfect backdrop for some true family adventures.

**  Margaret Mahy Playground**

Location:  Armagh Street,Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
Opening Hours: DAILY
Price: FREE

YOU JUST HAVE TO GO - It's huge, its loads of fun and its FREE!

This playground opened in 2015, and it is the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere. A project born from the Christchurch earthquake recovery fun and they sau its cost was upwards of $40K, I can see what there is nothing spared here. This park wasn't without hiccup's on further research I learnt initially there were no shaded areas and so this was incorporated after the fact. 

All facts aside, the wow factor here is that there is space and lots of fun! 

 I can see there are twerks in this design that lend themselves to catering accessibility. The objective looks to be allowing children to interact side by side, rather than offering a designated area or specific equipment for children with disabilities. As a special needs mum I'm still not sure how this sits with me Im all for inclusion but where is the caution note for others to understand our children need a little extra support - This open space really is not offering anything to prepare other children or families to acknowledge and prepare for a safe integration of play?... 

Yet this park still offers loads of fun -An eight metre spiral slide for those who love speed and heights. 

The slide is one of three new towers at the playground which incorporate an accessible lookout platform, a nest seat, rope stairs and a tube net bridge. 

Yes all the slopes and surfacing have been designed to meet accessibility standards  –for children or adults in wheelchairs. so there is still loads to love about this park!

TRIVIA - The playground is named for Margaret Mahy, New Zealand's famous children's author.