Explore Addington in 1 Day: River, Gardens & Ice

by Evelyn

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Embark on a one-day journey through the charming district of Addington, Christchurch, where nature and knowledge blend seamlessly. Start your day with a peaceful stroll along the Avon River, immersing yourself in the tranquility that only an hour by the water can offer. Next, let the vibrant flora of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens enchant you for a couple of hours, as you wander through collections of native and exotic plants. Conclude your day with an educational adventure at the International Antarctic Centre, spending two hours exploring the museum's interactive exhibits that bring the distant continent of Antarctica to life. This compact itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Addington's diverse attractions, from natural beauty to scientific exploration, all within the span of a single day.

Top 6 Hotels in Addington

TOP 1

C-Motel

4/5

54 reviews

View Hotel Info

TOP 2

Dyers House

5/5

11 reviews

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TOP 3

Mcm Motel Christchurch

4/5

100 reviews

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Chateau on The Park - Christchurch, A Doubletree by Hilton

4/5

206 reviews

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Carnmore Hotel Christchurch

4/5

81 reviews

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Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square

4/5

82 reviews

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Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Avon River - Christchurch Botanic Gardens - International Antarctic Centre

1 Day in Addington Itinerary: Day 1

Avon River

Begin your Addington adventure with a serene stroll along the Avon River, a tranquil waterway that meanders gracefully through Christchurch. Allot an hour to immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance, as the gentle currents whisper tales of the city's heritage. The river's banks, lined with weeping willows and vibrant flora, offer a picturesque setting for morning reflections or a leisurely walk to start your day.

Attraction Info

Christchurch, New Zealand
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

TMR Restaurant & Bar

4/5 · 8 reviews

3.0 km from attraction

50 Bistro

4.3/5 · 3 reviews

3.5 km from attraction

Open Late

Pedro's House of Lamb

4.5/5 · 19 reviews

3.5 km from attraction

Open Late

Southern Asian Restaurant

4.2/5 · 12 reviews

3.6 km from attraction

Strawberry Fare

4/5 · 27 reviews

3.6 km from attraction

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant

4.1/5 · 34 reviews

2.9 km from attraction

Spectacular Views

5 min，1.74 km

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Next, let nature's splendor envelop you at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the heart of the city. Spend two hours exploring this horticultural haven, where the fragrance of blooming flowers and the lush greenery create a symphony for the senses. The gardens boast an impressive collection of plant species, meticulously curated landscapes, and conservatories that are a testament to the botanical beauty and diversity of New Zealand.

Attraction Info

Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
Open from 4/1-9/30,7:00am-6:30pm;Open from 10/1-10/31,7:00am-8:30pm;Open from 11/1-2/28,7:00am-9:00pm，The opening hours of various areas in the botanical garden may be different, please see the official website for details.

16 min，9.53 km

International Antarctic Centre

Conclude your day with an educational escapade to the International Antarctic Centre, a museum that offers a window into the icy wonders of the Antarctic. Set aside two hours to dive into interactive exhibits, encounter penguins, and experience the chilling thrills of an Antarctic storm. Located near Christchurch Airport, this unique attraction provides an insightful glimpse into the life, science, and history of the Earth's southernmost continent.

Attraction Info

Corner Roy Place and, Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8052, New Zealand
Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
Open from 9:00am-4:30pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Burger Fuel

4.6/5 · 5 reviews

0.3 km from attraction

Tavern Harewood

3.7/5 · 3 reviews

3.1 km from attraction

Kinji Japanese Restaurant

4.8/5 · 4 reviews

3.4 km from attraction

Domino's Pizza(waimairi road)

3/5 · 17 reviews

3.7 km from attraction

Wok On In

3.8/5 · 5 reviews

1.9 km from attraction

Taichi Restaurant

4.5/5 · 4 reviews

0.3 km from attraction

Where to Stay Tonight

4.6/5107 Reviews

Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport

4.6/5Outstanding107 Reviews

Christchurch Airport

|0.17km from International Antarctic Centre

4.3/5159 Reviews

Lylo Christchurch, an EVT Hotel

4.3/5Excellent159 Reviews

Christchurch Airport

|0.2km from International Antarctic Centre

Top Things to Do in Addington-2024

TOP 1

TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth

4.4/5 · 28 review

Based on 3,578 review

Highlights:

The Alpine Scenic Train tour travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, traveling from coast to coast in New Zealand. From the comfort of your carriage, admire the intersecting farmland of the Canterbury Plains, as well as the spectacular gorges and valleys of the Waimakariri valley. The train will then climb the majestic Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass National Park and descend through lush beech rainforest to the west coast town of Greymouth - a great base for exploring Punakaiki and its popular glaciers . The comfortable carriage has huge panoramic windows.

TOP 3

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

4.6/5 · 259 review

Based on 6,807 review

Highlights:

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens was built in July 1863, and the natural wetlands and sand dunes of that year have been transformed into beautiful gardens full of flowers. The botanical garden covers an area of 30 hectares and has 10 subsidiary gardens with different styles, with more than 10,000 kinds of local or introduced plant species, most of these subsidiary gardens are located in the Avon River Basin. Rose garden, herb garden and many other gardens of different styles. If you enter the botanical garden from Rolleston Avenue on the side of the Canterbury Museum, you can enjoy the annual flower bed gardening exhibition, and then walk through the grassy arrowing lawn Arrive at the Rose Garden. There are more than 250 kinds of roses in the garden, which are colorful and fragrant, showing the luxurious beauty of roses. The nearby herb garden, filled with various culinary and medicinal plants, is quite worth a visit. Next to the rose garden is the New Zealand Garden, which showcases the charm of various New Zealand native plants. Seven other greenhouses display exotic plants such as cacti, succulents, tropical orchids and carnivorous plants.

TOP 4

International Antarctic Centre

4.5/5 · 146 review

Based on 2,890 review

Highlights:

Christchurch is an important gateway to understanding the Antarctic. The International Antarctic Centre is located near Christchurch International Airport. It was opened on September 28, 1990 and is operated by the Christchurch International Airport Group. Here, you can learn about the history, geology and other knowledge of the Antarctic Circle through sound, light and electricity. 1. The architecture of the International Antarctic Center is inspired by the special landforms of Antarctica such as icebergs and glaciers. The interior of the museum is also designed according to the Antarctic climate and ice and snow. Walking into the International Antarctic Center, the first thing you see is the outdoor conditions of the Antarctic base and the field photos and information sent back by Scottrade Base that day. 2. The Antarctic storm cabin, which has real snow and low temperature manufacturing fans, allows you to experience the cold of minus ten degrees Celsius in Antarctica, and simulate the strong wind when the snowstorm comes. Before entering, you will need to change into warm clothes and shoes. 3. Watch the feeding show in the penguin introduction area and then go down to the penguin introduction area and the feeding show. Here you will see the world's miniature Omalu blue penguins, very cute. If you are very interested in these blue penguins, you can take a tour of encountering penguins, and walk into the background to understand how the facilities in the penguin isolation area work, the living and eating habits of the penguins, and get close to them.

There are seats on the bank of the river section, you can sit down and rest for a while when you are tired from walking. Take an English-style gondola to visit the scenery on both sides of the Avon River. If you have enough time, you might as well take a British-style gondola (Punting) to go boating on the Avon River, swaying slowly on the calm river, and enjoy the pleasant time. At the same time, you can enjoy the charming scenery along the way, which is very romantic. The boarding point is Antigua Boat Sheds, and during the 30-minute journey, the boatman will tell you about the history or anecdotes of the coastal scenery. Blankets, umbrellas and even a thermos are provided on board, so you can go rafting even in the cold winter months. You can also rent rubber boats and kayaks to explore the Avon River on your own.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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