Nestled on New Zealand’s picturesque South Island, Christchurch is a vibrant gay cultural hub and a testament to resilience. Renowned as the “Garden City,” its lush parks, serene riverbanks, and captivating botanical gardens offer a tranquil escape from the urban bustle.
Travellers are drawn to Christchurch for its dynamic arts scene, with galleries, theatres, and street art showcasing the city’s creative spirit. The bustling Christchurch Arts Centre and the vibrant street art of the central business district are must-visit destinations for any cultural traveller. Christchurch serves as a gateway to the stunning landscapes of the South Island.
Perhaps what sets Christchurch apart is its resilience in the face of adversity. The city has undergone a remarkable transformation following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. You can walk through the red zones where communities used to be, but now nature has taken over with street lamps and the odd structure, which gives you a glimpse into the past.
In this gay guide to Christchurch, we will share the city’s best attractions and how to spend your time there. Along with where to sleep, we also have a section where you can grab a few nights of sleep for free in the city. We will also explore the gay sauna and the gay scene of the city.
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What to do in Christchurch?
The city and the surrounding area have so much nature it’s a dream for anyone looking for city life and nature mixed. Days spent out hiking or surfing can be followed by days in the city centre discovering the cafe scene in Christchurch.
International Antarctic Centre
Did someone say cute blue penguins?
While I have been on the South Island for six months and have visited many penguin spots, I unfortunately didn’t see any wild little blues. Christchurch was my last spot before leaving, so I had to visit to see some penguins! They have feeding times at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so we decided to visit in the afternoon to avoid the morning crowds.
Along with all the penguins who are housed in the Centre because of various disabilities, there are a multitude of other attractions, such as a 4D cinema and a storm simulator, which is freezing, I wish I had another layer on and an experience where you can meet retired huskies!
The entry fee is $59NZD for an adult, but you can also get a discount through Bookme.
Opening times 9 am – 4:30 pm (Allow for 2-3 hours to explore the entire centre)
City tour
This city tour should take a maximum of a day unless you want to spend time with everything. We recommend starting in the centre and working your way out.
Christchurch Tram
Discover Christchurch city centre on the Tram. The heritage tramcars run on a loop through the city, passing popular attractions like the Avon River, Cathedral Square, and the Botanic Gardens. With 17 stops, visitors can hop on and off at their own pace. The Tramway Restaurant offers a unique dining experience. Overall, the Christchurch Tram is a must-see attraction that provides a vintage ambience and a unique way to explore the city.
Botanical Gardens
Jump off the tram at the botanical gardens and begin your journey at the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a map and embark on a self-guided tour or join a guided walk to uncover the garden’s hidden gems.
Meander along winding pathways lined with a diverse array of plant species, from vibrant roses to towering native ferns, and be sure to pause at the tranquil water features and vibrant floral displays. Take advantage of highlights such as the stunning conservatories, where you can immerse yourself in tropical and temperate climates, or the enchanting heritage rose garden, a fragrant paradise beloved by visitors and locals alike.
Punting on the Avon
Another activity is to relax on board an informative punt ride and see the city from a different perspective. Sit back and admire the picturesque Botanic Gardens or glide through the evolving central city. Your classically attired punter quietly floats you along the river on this eco-friendly activity. Start your tour on the Worcester Bridge to enjoy punting around the city, or start from the boating shed for the botanical garden.
Christchurch Gondola
Finally, on this city tour, the Christchurch Gondola takes visitors on a scenic ride up to Mount Cavendish. You can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city, the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps from the top. The summit also features walking tracks, a café, and adventure activities like paragliding and hang gliding. It’s a perfect activity for travellers who want to experience the beauty of Christchurch from high above.
Sumner beach
Get your surf on at Sumner Beach. Whether you’re an expert or a novice, this is the spot for you. During the summer, it’s a huge magnet for locals and tourists. The beach is the most stunning in Christchurch. Ensure you stay for the evening golden hour to get some great snaps of the sounding mountains.
Surfing equipment is available for hire 24 hours a day from the local surf locker. Whether you need a foam board or something more advanced, they will have what you are after. The surrounding Sumner village has shopping and cafes, so if you need a bite to eat, they have you covered.
Where to sleep in Christchurch
After travelling through Southeast Asia, it was a shock to see the jump in the price of accommodation in New Zealand. Hostels in Christchurch offer affordable accommodations for all types of travellers. With various options ranging from dormitory-style rooms to private rooms, hostels provide a clean and comfortable stay while offering amenities such as free Wi-Fi, communal kitchens, and shared lounges. Hostels are also conveniently located in central areas, making accessing popular attractions and public transportation easy.
All three of the hostel recommendations made below have been stayed in by myself, and all have their unique selling points and why to stay.
LyLo
This hostel is located a mere 10 minutes’ walk from the Airport, which was great for me as my flight arrived late at night after the buses had stopped running for the day. LyLo offers capsule-style rooms and a modern feel. The main communal area has great socialising space and a large kitchen that was clean for my whole stay. I suspect the team would have been cleaning often.
LyLo is also located next to a supermarket, making it easy to do some food shopping and bring it back to the kitchen. I recommend visiting the Antarctic Centre while staying at this hostel, as it is just around the corner, especially if it’s rather rainy.
They offer single pods from NZ$56 a night and rooms from NZ$109, which is a better option if you are not travelling solo.
Urbanz
This hostel is located in the city centre and is an excellent option for exploring the city centre. Urbanz is also the most social hostel I came across while in Christchurch, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to find other travellers and someone to travel with around part of the South Island.
Urbanz has more of a classic hostel feel when it comes to the dorm rooms with metal bed frames, which I try to avoid due to them being too noisy for my liking. The hostel also has a simple kitchen, bar and socialising area. Overall, this is an excellent hostel to choose from while exploring Christchurch City.
They offer single beds in dorm rooms from NZ$42 a night and rooms from NZ$101, a good option if you want more privacy. Just note that you only have access to a shared bathroom if choosing a private room.
Jailhouse Accommodation (Hostel)
Yes, you read that correctly! This hostel is an old prison, and it was fun to stay in. It still feels like a prison, so think of it as a themed hostel. Jailhouse is located southwest of the city centre, close to the central passenger railway station, so if you are planning to get the train out of Christchurch, which I recommend you do if you don’t have a car, this can be a tremendous final place to stay in the city.
The Jailhouse facilities match those of most hostels, with free Wi-Fi, a communal kitchen, and social areas. I recommend this hostel if you are interested in experiencing a hostel that used to be a prison—not everyone’s cup of tea, I must admit—or if you are making a train journey in or out of Christchurch.
This hostel offers single beds from NZ$45 a night and private rooms from NZ$100. Just note that if you select a private room, you will only have access to the shared bathrooms, not a private one.
Where to stay for free in Christchurch?
Have you ever heard of woofing or lived in a small community where you have to pitch in and not pay exorbitant prices for hotels or hostels in Christchurch? This is how I saved so much money on my six-month trip to New Zealand.
Yes, there are places to stay for free in Christchurch! I stayed with Martin most of the time when I was in Christchurch. We met at Autumn Farm, where I was working/woofing over the new year. He offered me a place to stay if I was coming to Christchurch, and now, five months later, I sent him a message, and he took me in for the price of NZ$0 a Night!
If you’re an avid cook check out Martin’s food blog HERE
While in Christchurch, many travellers have come and gone from Martin’s place. Think of it as a small community; for example, I might do the washing up or the laundry while someone else cooks food for everyone. It was the most chilled woofing environment I have been in, while travelling in New Zealand. If this is something that might interest you, please reach out to us via email at info@boysaway.com, and we can pass on Martin’s contact details to you.
Check out our guide to Woofing in New Zealand, which will be on the site soon!
Gay Christchurch!
“Transphobic. Biphobic. Misogynistic. Welcome to Christchurch’s only ‘gay bar’”
Headline from The Spinoff, a publication in New Zealand.
The bar that this was written about ‘Cruz Bar’ closed its doors a few months before I arrived in Christchurch. Sounds like that place was overdue closing down. From the fellow gays that I have spoken to in Christchurch, we are not missing out on anything. Apparently, the place was a dive with strange patrons and an even stranger owner. It’s not the first time I have come across LGBTQ+ establishments being openly transphobic, which is appalling. Check out our upcoming guide to Duendin to see what I’m talking about.
Men friends – Christchurch’s only gay venue
It surprises me that a gay sauna can even exist without a gay bar in the city. Locals tell me that the DL crowd uses it a lot and that might be why a gay sauna can survive but a gay bar cannot. The sauna facilities are very well maintained with the price not being too much (NZ$35pp), it’s clean and has almost everything you can want from a gay sauna. In my opinion, the only thing it is missing is the latest night crowds as it seems to be busy in the afternoon but rather lacklustre in the evening.
The building is discrete and close to the city centre, they offer up different events during the week and have a big sleaze party one weekend a month. Overall, it’s a good place to drop in and have some fun. Whether you go on a weekday or during one of the events is up to you. Just be aware the evening crowds are very underwhelming when you compare it to the large city gay saunas dotted around Europe
Is Christchurch worth a visit?
Christchurch beckons travellers with its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and indomitable spirit, making it a destination to be noticed on any New Zealand itinerary. I recommend that if you are on a longer itinerary drop into Christchurch for over 2 weeks as this will enable you to discover the city’s secrets. The gays who reside in Christchurch are among the friendliest I have met on my travels, so hop on Grindr and say hello for me!
If you are off to Asia check out our blog posts HERE
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