1. International Antarctic Centre from RedBalloon NZ
Highlights:
- 2-3 hours with transport to/from the city
- Hagglund ride, penguin encounter, snow experience and 4D theatre included
- Price: Child $29, adult $59
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Easter in Christchurch: What’s open and things to do
Christchurch has a lot to offer for the upcoming mini-break.
As much as it would be great to travel somewhere nice for the Easter long weekend, you’ve probably already realised that flights are getting more and more expensive. It’s not all that bad staying in Christchurch on your four days off though, since there is plenty to keep you busy both in and outside the city.
Whether you’re spending time with your family, friends, partner or flying solo, we’ve got you covered with things to do in the Garden City this Easter.
Things to do over Easter
2. The Christchurch Pass from Klook
Highlights:
- All-day pass to make your way around Christchurch and explore the sights
- Unlimited tram rides, gondola ride tickets, guided tour of Botanic Gardens and 30-minute scenic punt ride
- Price: $81
4. Hour Fishing Charter from Treat Me
Highlights:
- 4-hour charter for you and your friends
- Gear and bait provided, morning and afternoon departure times
- Price: $550 for up to 6 people
5. Forest High Ropes and Ziplining Adventure from RedBalloon NZ
Highlights:
- 3-hour adventure course
- Reach heights of up to 25 metres as you tackle challenges; safety gear included
- Price: Child $30, adult $45
6. Hanmer Spring Thermal Pools Day Pass from Klook
Highlights:
- 11 hours to enjoy the complex with single entry or return-entry ticket
- Spa, waterslides and 15 outdoor pools plus licensed cafe on site
- Price: From $18
7. Indulge Day Spa Package from RedBalloon NZ
Highlights:
- 3 hours of pampered bliss
- Facial, luxe pedicure, body scrub and wrap included
- Price: From $369
8. Waipara Wine Experience from Viator
Highlights:
- 5.5-hour experience visiting 4 boutique wineries in North Canterbury
- Wine tastings, lunch and transport from Christchurch included
- Price: From $150
What’s open over Easter?
Due to laws around the closing of stores in New Zealand on public holidays such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday, you won’t have much luck if you head out to shop on either one of these days.
However, the malls, shopping centres, department stores and supermarkets will be ready to welcome you on Easter Saturday and Monday, so make a note of what is going to be open at what time.
While every effort has been made to find the trading hours in Christchurch this Easter, please note that these hours are subject to change as stores confirm closer to the time. Make sure to double-check online before you head out.
| Shopping centre | Good Friday | Saturday | Easter Sunday | Easter Monday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Riccarton | Closed | 9am-6pm | Closed | 10am-6pm |
| The Palms | Closed | 9am-6pm | Closed | 9am-6pm |
| Northlands | Closed | 9am-6pm | Closed | 10am-6pm |
| Merivale | Closed | 9am-6pm | Closed | 10am-5pm |
| Tower Junction | Closed | 10am-5pm | Closed | 10am-5pm |
| Barrington | Closed | 10am-5pm | Closed | 10am-5pm |
| Eastgate Mall | Closed | 9am-6pm | Closed | 10am-5pm |
| The Warehouse South City | Closed | 8am-9pm | Closed | 8am-9pm |
| The Warehouse Hornby | Closed | 7am-10pm | Closed | 7am-10pm |
| The Warehouse Riccarton | Closed | 7am-12pm | Closed | 7am-12pm |
| Kmart Riccarton | Closed | 8am-12pm | Closed | 8am-12pm |
| Kmart Shirley | Closed | 8am-12pm | Closed | 8am-12pm |
| Countdown Moorhouse Ave | Closed | 7am-11pm | Closed | 7am-11pm |
| Countdown Colombo St | Closed | 8am-10pm | Closed | 8am-10pm |
| Countdown Rolleston | Closed | 7am-9pm | Closed | 7am-9pm |
| Countdown Hornby | Closed | 7am-11pm | Closed | 7am-11pm |
| Countdown Avonhead | Closed | 7am-9pm | Closed | 7am-9pm |
| Countdown Church Corner | Closed | 7am-midnight | Closed | 7am-midnight |
| PAK’nSAVE Northlands | Closed | 7am-11pm | Closed | 7am-11pm |
| PAK’nSAVE Moorhouse | Closed | 7am-11pm | Closed | 7am-11pm |
| PAK’nSAVE Hornby | Closed | 7am-10pm | Closed | 7am-10pm |
| PAK’nSAVE Wainoni | Closed | 7am-10pm | Closed | 7am-10pm |
| PAK’nSAVE Riccarton | Closed | 7am-11pm | Closed | 7am-11pm |
Top Easter deals
Hostelworld
New Zealand stays from $15/night
Available on select stay dates in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and more. Sample rate is for a stay at K Road City Travellers. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
New Zealand flights from $87 return
Available on select dates until March 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Dunedin, Queenstown, Auckland and more. Sample fare is Wellington-Christchurch with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Wotif
Up to 30% off New Zealand stays
Available on select stay dates in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Taupo and more. T&Cs apply.
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Airbnb
New Zealand stays from $12 per night
Available on select dates until 2021. Destinations include Dunedin, Wellington, Queenstown, Christchurch, Nelson and more. Sample stay is for a shared room in Auckland. T&Cs apply.
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Momondo
New Zealand flights from $73 return
Available on flights until March 2021 to Queenstown, Christchurch , Dunedin, Napier, Nelson, Tauranga and more. Sample fare is Auckland-Wellington with Jetstar.
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Deal ends
Priceline.com
Up to 60% off New Zealand hotels
Available on select stay dates in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
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Booking.com
Up to 15% off worldwide hotels
Available on stays from 1 June 2020 - 4 January 2021 in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Cape Town and more. T&Cs apply.
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Agoda
Up to 75% off Christchurch hotels
Available on select stay dates in 2020. T&Cs apply.
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CheapOair
Up to 56% off flights from Auckland
Available on select dates until February 2021 to Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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CheapOair
Domestic flights from $118 return
Available on flights until February 2021 to Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and more. Sample fare is Auckland-Wellington with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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CheapOair
Up to USD$34 off flight booking fees
Available on select travel dates when you use the code. Destinations include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and more. Maximum booking of 5 travellers. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Christchurch flights from $92 return
Available on select dates until February 2021. Sample fare departs from Auckland with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Wellington flights from $77 return
Available on select dates until February 2021. Sample fare departs from Christchurch with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Airbnb
Christchurch stays from $17 per night
Available on select dates until 2021. Sample stay is for a private room in an apartment. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
New Zealand tours from $1,139
Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound and more.
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CheapOair
Up to 30% off New Zealand hotels
Available on select stay dates until 2021. Destinations include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Christchurch stays from AUD$51/night
Available on select stay dates. Sample stay is at Around The World Backpackers. T&Cs apply.
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Momondo
Christchurch car hires from $13/day
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020. Sample rate is for a Sedan. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Hotwire
Christchurch stays from $61/night
Available on select stay dates. Sample rate is for a stay in a 4.5-star hotel in Riccarton area. T&Cs apply.
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Treat Me
Up to 67% off New Zealand getaways
Available for travel on select dates until 2021. Destinations include Queenstown, Auckland, Christchurch, Waiheke Island and more. T&Cs apply.
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Jetradar.com
New Zealand flights from $31 each way
Available on select travel dates to Christchurch, Dunedin, Queestown and more. Sample rate is Wellington-Auckland. T&Cs apply.
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HomeAway
Christchurch stays from $59/night
Available on select stay dates. Sample stay is for a self contained guest suite in Swannanoa. T&Cs apply.
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Bookabach
New Zealand holiday home rentals from 50/night
Available on select dates in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and more. Sample stay is for an ocean view tiny house in Christchurch. T&Cs apply.
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VRBO
Christchurch hotels from $39 per night
Available for stays on select dates. Sample price is for a studio accommodation in Christchurch center. T&Cs apply.
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VRBO
Christchurch hotels from $49 per night
Available for travel on select dates. Sample fare is for a stay at Swallow's Wing apartment near Christchurch center. T&Cs apply.
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Auto Europe Car Rentals
Up to 30% off New Zealand car rentals
Available on select dates. Destinations include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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Lastminute.com.au
Up to 50% off New Zealand hotels
Available on select dates in Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Get Your Guide
Christchurch activities from $20
Available on select dates and activities including transfers, tours, attraction passes, hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours, gondola rides and more.
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Snap Rentals
Christchurch Airport car hire from $23 per day
Available for travel on select dates. Sample fare is for Economy Toyota Corolla Automatic. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Christchurch stays from $20/night
Available on select dates in 2020. Sample stay is at Jucy Snooze Christchurch. T&Cs apply.
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Momondo
Christchurch stays from $25/night
Available on select stay dates in 2020. Sample rate is for a stay at Point Break Backpackers. T&Cs apply.
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Discover Car Hire Ltd.
Christchurch car hire from $10.83/day
Available for rental on select dates in 2020. Car types include intermediate, economy, standard and more. T&Cs apply.
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Booking.com
Christchurch stays from $30/night
Available on select 2020 dates. Sample rate is for a stay at Quality on Woodham. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Up to 10% off things to do in Christchurch
Available on select 2020 dates. Activities include tours, cruise, tram ride, transfers, bungy jumping, river rafting and more. T&Cs apply.
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HotelsCombined
Christchurch stays from $36/night
Available on select 2020 dates. Sample accommodation is at Vagabond Backpackers. T&Cs apply.
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Hostelworld
Christchurch stays from $19/night
Available on select stay dates in 2020. Sample rate is for a stay at Kiwi House. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 15% off Australia and New Zealand car hires
Available on 5+ day rentals until 15 December 2020. Destinations include Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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AAT Kings
Up to 5% off on your next holiday with Kings Club
Become a member of Kings Club and receive an extra 5% off. Destinations include Auckland, Christchurch, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Treat Me
Extra 10% off site-wide with code
Join Treat Me newsletter and receive up to 10% off. Destinations include Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Waikato, Tauranga, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Dunedin and more. T&Cs apply.
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Looking4Parking
Up to 60% savings on Christchurch airport parking
Available on select dates. Minimum advance booking days may apply.
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