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Campervan Hire Christchurch
Near the centre of the east coast in the South Island, surrounded by majestic snowy mountains lies one of New Zealand’s most beautiful cities, Christchurch.
Filled with beautiful gardens and a mere population of 300,000, Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s least bustling but serene cities. This city is close to some of New Zealand’s most stunning spots including Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, Akaroa, Mt Cook and Arthur’s Pass making it an ideal location to start or finish your campervan hire NZ journey.
Central City
Christchurch embodies a strong music and art culture and Cathedral square is a great place to experience some of this. The square is home to magicians, bands and buskers whom are often surrounded by groups of people keen to check out the local and live entertainment.
The area also has numerous food stalls and cafes and in the weekend the Cathedral Square Market is held with stalls offering handcrafted and imported goods, not to mention the great array of food vendors. Grab something to eat and soak in the atmosphere that makes the square unique.
You can also climb to the top of the Cathedral Bell tower, shop, socialise or sightsee and then hop on a restored vintage tram for a scenic circuit of the CBD.
Your Spaceships campervan is just like a car to drive so even if you are only passing through Christchurch and want to make a day of exploring the city your Spaceship can be parked in most central car parks.
Canterbury Museum
The Canterbury Museum and the Arts Centre are located in Cathedral Square and showcases a large range of New Zealand’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Hours can be spent studying New Zealand’s landscapes, animals, history and Maori culture.
View exhibits on Antarctic exploration, life-size dioramas of Maori history and New Zealand bird life.
Within strolling distance lies the Christchurch Arts Centre and Christchurch Art Gallery.
Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens host the country’s finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants truly reflecting Christchurch’s reputation as the Garden City and with 21 hectares of horticultural displays, several conservatories, memorials, garden art and walking tracks, a few hours can be spent exploring these majestic wonders by foot.
The gardens are a truly beautiful area to relax and wonder through.
Punting on the Avon
Adding to much of the city’s natural beauty is the River that lies between it, the Avon. A great way to enjoy the river is by a thirty minute Edwardian Style punt ride offering a choice of either park or city route
Punting on the Avon Operating Hours
1st May – 31st September 10am to 4pm
1st October – 31st April 9am to 6pm
10am to 4pm Christmas Day
Adult $20
Child (5-15 years) $10 person
Child (under 5 years) FREE
Please note the times and prices are subject to change.
If you prefer to take on the Avon river at your own leisure and get a bit of exercise whilst doing it kayaks can be hired.
National Marae
Christchurch offers a number of Maori cultural experiences. Tamaki Heritage Village, KoTane at Willowbank and Nga Hau E Wha Marae. Bookings can be made at the Christchurch and Canterbury i-Site.
Christchurch holds the South Islands largest Maori Culture centre called Nga Hau e Wha National Marae.
Daily tours are run by experienced guides employed by the local Iwi (people).
Christchurch Godola
See Canterbury from above whilst descending 1500 ft into the sky on one of the City’s most popular activities, the Sky Line Gondala. When you reach the top relax in the café and have a bite to eat whilst soaking up the views or stroll through ‘the shop at the top” then take a ride through history on the Heritage Time Tunnel and learn about the surrounding area including the volcano, the Maori people and English settlers.
Open daily from 10am
Banks Peninsula, Akaroa
Located 82 kilometres by road from Christchurch city is the South Island’s most prominent volcanic feature, Banks Peninsula in Akaroa is a must see attraction.
Banks peninsula is a stunning track and with penguins on site and kayaking it is a very enjoyable walking track.
Akaroa is a beautiful old French settlement and Spaceships has planted over 35,000 tree’s and plants in this area as apart of it’s environmental strategy.
Franz Josef
One of the most spectacular west coast glaciers is Franz Josef. Franz Josef is 408km’s from Christchurch and will take approximately 5.3 hours to drive via Arthurs Pass. Stay at our Space station The Rainforest Holiday Park and explore the glacier.
Mt Cook
Deep in the Southern Alps lies Mt Cook, as New Zealand’s largest Alpine park it has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers.
This is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3754 meters and it meters is surrounded by hundreds of other mountains that make up the beautiful Southern Alps. Here you can choose from an array of activities including superb walks up glacial valleys and the lower slopes or take an excursion by 4WD, kayak, ski plane and even helicopter!
Kaikoura
If you are heading up the South Island via the East coast a great place to stop is the seaside settlement, Kaikoura, located half between Christchurch and Picton. A mix of coastal and alpine area there is beautiful scenery to be seen here including the famous marine life such as seals, whales and dolphins. There are lots of activities in the area such as Whale watching, vineyard tours, dolphin swimming and some great walks.
Recommended Accommodation
Campsites - Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Park.
With its vast accommodation options ranging from landscaped power sites to motels, handy location, picturesque surrounding’s and the wide range of visitor services and facilities on site it’s no wonder this Top 10 has been given 5 stars.
Near to all the handy facilities including a mall, supermarket, restaurants, cinemas the top 10 is just 5km to the city centre and a 10 minute drive to the Christchurch International Airport.
The Top 10 Christchurch is a great place to stay during your Christchurch Campervan Hire journey.
Address:
39 Meadow Street
Papanui 9730
Christchurch
+64 03 352 9176
Hostels
Base Christchurch
Base Christchurch is located smack right in the city centre, on Cathedral Square. It’s the ideal location to stay should you wish to be amongst the central city vibe.
Base is a preferred and recommended hostel for Spaceship Campervan Christchurch travellers and offers all the great hostel amenities.
Address:
56 Cathedral Square
Christchurch
New Zealand
+64 3 982 2225
Cokers Hotel, Backpackers and Bar
From the exterior to the interior Cokers Christchurch is traditional and old fashioned, a unique hostel accommodation offering.
Cokers is just a 5 minute walk to the city centre, great eating places and just two minutes to the local supermarket.
With a lovely bar, restaurant, great facilities and many accommodation options including single, double and backpacker dorm options at great price points you are spoilt for options.
Address:
Manchester Street
Christchurch
New Zealand
+69 03 379 8580
Spaceships Christchurch Campervan Hire Vehicle Pick-Up and Drop-Off depot
If picking up or dropping off your Spaceship campervan in Christchurch please visit our Lichfield street depot.
Address:
57 West Coast Road
Yaldhurst
Christchurch
Christchurch International Airport and super shuttles.
The Spaceship depot and sales shop are only 6 minutes from the Christchurch international airport.
Super shuttles run every 30 minutes and cost $17 for one with an extra $4 per person.
Spaceships offer FREE Pick up from Christchurch airport for hires over 21 days (if pre-arranged).
