# Christchurch with a day in Akaroa

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/oceania/single-base-plus-day-trip/christchurch-with-a-day-in-akaroa-z0604/>)

Add a nearby city or landscape while keeping one overnight base

- Region: Oceania
- Trip format: Single base + day trip
- Nights: 5
- Interests: Design, Nature, History, Food & Drink

## Route and nights

- Christchurch · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: A day trip avoids repacking. Check the last return option and whether the travel time is worth the outing.

Compare: Local transit, rail, ferry or road for the outing as applicable

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Christchurch

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · Hotel Montreal
- 16:30 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Skip the walk if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
Overnight: [Hotel Montreal](<https://www.hotels.com/ho458231/hotel-montreal-christchurch-new-zealand/>) · Christchurch

### Day 2 · Christchurch

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
- 09:00 to 10:30 · Walk the city center around Cathedral Square · Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Check public access around construction. Compare older street fronts with new public buildings.
- 10:40 to 11:55 · Visit Tūranga and look at its public spaces · Tūranga, Christchurch. Check library opening for your date and use an exterior stop if closed.
- 12:10 to 13:10 · Have lunch near the morning stops · Tūranga, Christchurch
- 13:25 to 15:15 · Walk from the Cardboard Cathedral area toward the Avon · Christchurch Transitional Cathedral. Use the exterior route if a service or event limits entry.
- 15:35 to 16:40 · Return via the riverside paths and public gathering areas · Ōtākaro / Avon River, Christchurch
- 17:45 to 19:05 · Have dinner near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
Overnight: [Hotel Montreal](<https://www.hotels.com/ho458231/hotel-montreal-christchurch-new-zealand/>) · Christchurch

### Day 3 · Christchurch

- 08:05 to 08:50 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
- 09:05 to 10:30 · Enter the gardens near the Arts Centre · Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Check gate access and choose a route according to weather.
- 10:45 to 12:00 · Choose a loop through the garden and river-edge paths · Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- 12:10 to 13:10 · Have lunch near the morning stops · Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- 13:25 to 15:15 · Follow a short stretch of the Avon toward the city center · Ōtākaro / Avon River, Christchurch. Use a shorter sheltered route if rain or heat limits walking.
- 15:35 to 16:40 · Return through the gardens or the Arts Centre courtyards · The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Christchurch
- 17:45 to 19:05 · Have dinner near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
Overnight: [Hotel Montreal](<https://www.hotels.com/ho458231/hotel-montreal-christchurch-new-zealand/>) · Christchurch

### Day 4 · Akaroa

- 07:00 to 07:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
- 08:00 to 10:35 · Travel to Akaroa · Akaroa, Banks Peninsula. Check the current coach schedule or arrange a car. Leave time for winding roads and return traffic.
- 10:45 to 12:20 · Walk the public harbor paths and streets around the wharf · Akaroa Wharf. Compare the street names and town layout with the waterfront.
- 12:30 to 13:35 · Have lunch in Akaroa · Akaroa, Banks Peninsula
- 13:50 to 15:15 · Choose a local museum if open or take a second town walk · Akaroa Museum. Check the calendar before making the museum part of a fixed route.
- 15:30 to 18:05 · Return to Christchurch · Christchurch Central City
- 18:25 to 19:45 · Have dinner near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
Overnight: [Hotel Montreal](<https://www.hotels.com/ho458231/hotel-montreal-christchurch-new-zealand/>) · Christchurch

### Day 5 · Christchurch

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
- 09:15 to 10:45 · Browse food stalls and shops around Riverside Market · Riverside Market, Christchurch. Check individual hours before fixing a specific stall.
- 10:55 to 11:55 · Compare the market streets with the river-facing dining area · Riverside Market, Christchurch
- 12:00 to 13:15 · Choose lunch at Riverside Market · Riverside Market, Christchurch. Compare portions and queues before ordering.
- 13:35 to 15:40 · Walk a short route toward New Regent Street and stop for coffee if wanted · New Regent Street, Christchurch
- 17:45 to 19:05 · Have dinner near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
Overnight: [Hotel Montreal](<https://www.hotels.com/ho458231/hotel-montreal-christchurch-new-zealand/>) · Christchurch

### Day 6 · Christchurch

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Christchurch Central City
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect your bags · Hotel Montreal
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · Christchurch Central City. Use the departure and pickup times from your booking.