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CHRISTCHURCH
CENTRAL
HIDDEN JEMS
Christchurch Central has some awesome hidden gems that locals love but aren’t always on the tourist trail. Here’s a curated list across food, drink, nature, culture, and just quirky little spots.
ART & CULTURE NOOKS
ART CENTRE
Clock Tower Courtyard
Everyone walks through it, but few stop to really explore the quiet corners. There’s a tiny second-hand bookshop, a rare instruments store, and it’s atmospheric at night.
Tucked beneath the old university building, this little museum about Ernest Rutherford’s life and experiments is oddly fascinating — and most people miss it.
QUIRKY-OFF THE BEATEN PATH
On Manchester Street, it's literally a washing machine repurposed as a dance floor DJ station. Plug in your phone, dance like no one's watching. Locals love it.
NOT SO HIDDEN
CITY LANEWAYS
Throughout the city, you will find interesting laneways full of little boutiques, eateries and places to sit and take some time out. The laneways were part of the city planning to open up the large city blocks and create interest.
Where Heritage Meets Vibrancy
Step into the charm of the New Regent Quarter, home to quirky boutiques, lively bars, top-tier dining, and unique accommodation. Anchored by the iconic New Regent Street, a 1930s Spanish Mission-style gem, this precinct blends history with a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it one of the city's major tourist attractions.
SALT is the gritty, Southern ALTernative to the glossier city core. Laced with laneways and centred around St Asaph, Lichfield & Tuam streets, it’s a character destination where cool people with big ideas make amazing things happen.
SOUTH TOWN
Home to a vibrant mix of boutique cafés, bars, and workspaces, this area has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Driven by a passionate group of young entrepreneurs, it has become a hub of creativity and character, adding a unique charm to the city's southern district.
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