Day Trips from Christchurch

Beaches like Sumner and Spencer Park, river parks on the Waimakariri and Ashley Rakahuri, and tracks like the Richardson Track each have a guide.

Day trips from Christchurch reach Akaroa and the harbours of Banks Peninsula, the Waipara wine country, the peaks of Arthur’s Pass, and the Hanmer Springs thermal pools. Most sit within one to two hours of the city, making them easy day trips and weekend escapes across Canterbury.

Day trips map

33 day trips in and around Christchurch. Tap one for how far it is and the guide, or find the ones nearest you.

Map of 33 day trips

Pins from each day trip guide. Distances are in a straight line from the city centre.

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33 day trips

Beaches & Coastal SpotsSouthern Pegasus Bay TrackCoastal Walk and Cycle in Christchurch9 km north-eastPlaygroundDogs on leashEasyThe Southern Pegasus Bay Track offers an easy shared path along the dunes between New Brighton and Spencer Park, providing scenic coastal views.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsSumner BeachFamily Day Trip, Surf and Coastal Walks11 km eastToiletsDogs on leashIn the seaside suburb of Sumner, just a short drive from central Christchurch, Sumner Beach offers golden sands, gentle waves.

Harbour & Island AdventuresŌtamahua/Quail IslandHistoric Day Trip Near ChristchurchBy ferry12 km south-eastToiletsIn Lyttelton Harbour near Christchurch, Ōtamahua/Quail Island is an 81-hectare pest-free island that combines Māori heritage, colonial history.

Nature & National ParksWaimakariri River Regional ParkAdventures Near Christchurch12 km northWaimakariri River Regional Park near Christchurch: braided river land for biking, walking, swimming and horse riding, with a 1.2 km accessible loop track.

Harbour & Island AdventuresDiamond Harbour WalkwayCoastal Trail Christchurch13 km south-eastToilets1.5-3 hr one wayEasy to moderateThe Diamond Harbour Walkway on Banks Peninsula near Christchurch follows cliffs from Church Bay to Purau, with Lyttelton Harbour views and a ferry link.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsSpencer Park BeachFamily Beach Playground and Coastal Fun13 km north-eastPlaygroundSpencer Park Beach offers a relaxed coastal escape just 14 kilometres north-east of central Christchurch.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsGodley HeadCoastal Trails and WWII History15 km south-eastToiletsDogs on leashAt Godley Head, near Christchurch, visitors discover dramatic coastal cliffs and preserved military heritage on the eastern edge of the Port Hills.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsWoodend BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Getting There22 km northToiletsPlaygroundDogs on leashWoodend Beach, 22 km north of Christchurch: Good LAWA water quality grade, summer lifeguard patrols, a playground, toilets and a holiday park by the sand.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsPegasus BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Getting There25 km northDogs on leashPegasus Beach, 25 km north of Christchurch: Excellent LAWA water quality grade, summer lifeguard patrols and access through Tūhaitara Coastal Park.

Nature & National ParksAshley Rakahuri Regional ParkNature Escape Near Christchurch28 km northAshley Rakahuri Regional Park near Rangiora, 25km north of Christchurch, has 417ha of braided river with walking and cycling tracks and picnic spots.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsWaikuku BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Day Trip from Christchurch30 min drive28 km northToiletsPlaygroundWaikuku Beach, 28 km north of Christchurch: Excellent LAWA water quality, summer surf lifeguard patrols, a paddling pool and the Ashley-Rakahuri estuary.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsDuvauchelle BaySwimming, Water Quality and Akaroa Harbour Day Trip1 hr 30 min drive35 km south-eastToiletsPlaygroundDuvauchelle Bay at the head of Akaroa Harbour: a Good LAWA grade, weekly summer testing, a waterfront holiday park and a playground nearby.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsFrench Farm BaySwimming, Water Quality and Akaroa Harbour Day Trip1 hr 15 min drive35 km south-eastToiletsFrench Farm Bay on Akaroa Harbour: a shallow, sheltered swimming beach with a Good LAWA grade, weekly summer testing, picnic lawns and public toilets.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsTikao Bay Akaroa HarbourSwimming, Water Quality and Day Trip from Christchurch1 hr 30 min drive37 km south-eastToiletsSwim at Tikao Bay on Akaroa Harbour: a sand and cobble beach with a Fair LAWA grade, tested weekly by Environment Canterbury from November to March.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsTumbledown Bay, Banks PeninsulaRemote Surf Beach Below Te Oka Reserve37 km southNo dogsTumbledown Bay (Te Kāio) on Banks Peninsula: a sheltered sandy surf beach down a steep unsealed road, with no lifeguards, toilets or dogs.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsOkains BaySwimming, Water Quality and Banks Peninsula Day Trip38 km south-eastToiletsPlaygroundOkains Bay on Banks Peninsula: an Excellent LAWA water quality grade, weekly summer testing, a sheltered estuary lagoon and a beachfront camping ground.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsOkains Bay Māori and Colonial MuseumChristchurch Day Trip38 km south-east1 hrOkains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum on Banks Peninsula, 83km from Christchurch, holds Māori taonga and colonial artefacts in heritage buildings.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsWainui BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Akaroa Harbour Day Trip1 hr 30 min drive38 km south-eastToiletsWainui Beach on Akaroa Harbour: a sheltered swimming bay with a Fair LAWA grade, weekly summer testing, a boat ramp and public toilets.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsAkaroa BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Akaroa Day Trip1 hr 30 min drive40 km south-eastToiletsPlaygroundAkaroa main beach: a sheltered harbour swimming spot with a Fair LAWA grade, weekly summer testing, and toilets and a playground close by.

Wine, Food, & CountrysideOxford, CanterburyCountryside Day Trip from Christchurch40 km north-westOxford Village offers a peaceful countryside escape in the Waimakariri District, roughly 50 kilometres northwest of Christchurch.

Beaches & Coastal SpotsAkaroa Heritage Park and Woodhills TrackBanks Peninsula Walks1 hr 20 min drive42 km south-eastToiletsEasy to moderateAkaroa Heritage Park on Banks Peninsula, about 1.5 hours from Christchurch: short loop walks with harbour views and access to the Woodhills Track.

Nature & National ParksNīkau Palm Gully Scenic Reserve WalkDay Trip to Akaroa’s Southern Palms43 km south-eastToiletsNo dogs3-4 hr returnNīkau Palm Gully Scenic Reserve walk near Akaroa: a 5–6 hr DOC coastal walk to rare nīkau palms. Seasonal winter closure, no dogs, no water.

Nature & National ParksEllangowan Scenic Reserve TrackDay Trip Lookout Walk above Akaroa44 km south-eastDogs on leash40 min returnEllangowan Scenic Reserve Track: a 40-minute DOC loop above Akaroa to a rocky lookout over Banks Peninsula. Grade, dogs, parking and alerts.

Nature & National ParksMt Grey/Maukatere TrackDay Trip Summit Walk near Amberley44 km northDogs on leash2-3 hr one wayEasyMt Grey/Maukatere Track: a 2–3 hr DOC climb to a 934 m summit near Amberley with wide Canterbury views. Dogs, access, circuit and alerts.

Nature & National ParksRed Beech TrackDay Trip Circuit Descent of Mt Grey/Maukatere44 km northDogs on leash3-4 hr one wayHardRed Beech Track, Mt Grey/Maukatere: a steep 3–4 hr DOC track with a Grey River ford. Circuit with the Mt Grey Track, dogs on leash, river alerts.

Nature & National ParksBob’s Camp Bivouac RouteExpert Day Trip Route to a Curved-Roof Bivvy45 km north-westDogs on leash5 hr one wayHardBob’s Camp Bivouac Route: a 5 hr expert DOC route from Wooded Gully to a curved-roof bivvy in Mount Thomas Forest. Water, dogs, access, alerts.

Nature & National ParksRidge Track Mt ThomasDay Trip Tramp to Foothills Summit Views45 km north-westDogs on leash3.5 hrHardRidge Track, Mt Thomas: a 3 hr 30 min DOC tramp to a 1023 m summit with views to the Alps and Banks Peninsula. Loops, dogs on leash, alerts.

Nature & National ParksSummit Track Mt ThomasDay Trip Ridge Climb in the Canterbury Foothills45 km north-westDogs on leash2 hrHardSummit Track, Mt Thomas: a steep 2 hr DOC climb from Wooded Gully to a 1023 m summit near Oxford. Loops, dogs on leash, wasp and trap alerts.

Nature & National ParksTutakakahikura Scenic Reserve TrackDay Trip to Red Beech Forest above Flea Bay45 km south-eastNo dogs1 hr returnHardTutakakahikura Scenic Reserve Track: a 1 hr DOC walk through red beech forest above Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula. 4WD access only, no dogs.

Nature & National ParksBypass Track GlentuiDay Trip Link for the Mt Richardson Loop48 km north-westDogs on leash4-6 hrHardBypass Track near Oxford: a 1–2 hr DOC link track for the 4–6 hr Mt Richardson loop from Glentui. Grade, dogs on leash, stream ford, alerts.

Nature & National ParksPinchgut TrackOkuku River Tramp to a DOC Hut in the Foothills48 km north-westDogs on leash3 hr one wayHardPinchgut Track: a 3 hr advanced DOC tramp up the Okuku River to Pinchgut Hut near Loburn. River crossings, dogs on leash, access and alerts.

Nature & National ParksRichardson TrackDay Trip Climb to Mt Richardson near Oxford48 km north-westDogs on leash3 hrHardRichardson Track: a 3 hr DOC climb from Glentui to 1047 m Mt Richardson with Lees Valley views. Loop via Blowhard and Bypass, dogs on leash.

Relaxation & Hot SpringsHanmer Springs Thermal PoolsRelaxing Day Trip from Christchurch113 km north1.5 hrEscape the city for a rejuvenating day at Hanmer Springs, a popular alpine village renowned for its thermal pools and mountain setting.