Path Well Travelled: A Christchurch Travel Guide

Kia ora and welcome to the Garden City – Otautahi (Christchurch), the biggest city in Te Waipounamu (South Island). This has been written by PJ. If you don’t know me and my sense of humour, you will by the end of this.

Currency & Payment

Aotearoa uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) which currently has an exchange rate of approximately 1USD : 1.78NZD. Most places will accept cash, but as one of the countries which were first used as a test for EFTPOS there has been a wide adoption of “debit cards” (using the magnetic stripe, not chips). Recently more stores are using Chip/Contactless technology but it is not uncommon to encounter a Credit Card/Paywave (contactless) surcharge.

All prices are tax inclusive (unless you are dealing Business to Business) and tipping is not a thing. If you try to tip a server here they will probably look at you with slight bemusement. Some high end restaurants may have the option to tip, but it is not considered the norm.

Arriving at Christchurch

Christchurch International Airport will be where most of you arrive from; either direct or via Auckland. It’s a 20-25 minute drive out of the city. There are regular buses that can take you in:

Uber and Taxi services available too, usually about $40: Rideshare – Uber – Christchurch Airport

Transportation

Christchurch has a moderately functional bus system, readily accessible Ubers, and many Lime scooters/ebikes.

Metro Christchurch

Accommodation

There are a wide variety of options of where to stay in Christchurch.

BreakFree on Cashel

This is a budget Hotel option that is a 10 minute walk from the venue. Rooms are approximately $100/night

URBANZ Hostel Christchurch

A Hostel with shared rooms in the $45-$50 range, approximately 7 minutes from the venue.

Drifter

Hotel/Hostel with private and shared rooms $50-$200 per night. 12 minute walk from the venue

AirBnB

There are many active AirBnB listings here, which will probably put you a bit further from the venue, but if you can split a booking could be a good option.

Other Accommodation Near Christchurch Convention Centre | Te Pae

Venue

Christchurch’s Te Pae Convention Centre is centrally located and less than 5 years old!

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

The easiest access for the Venue will be via the Cathedral Square entrance.

Food

New Regent Street

New Regent St has a variety of shops, is a little over 5 minutes away from the Venue and is awfully cute. Mostly Cafes but there are a couple of restaurants too.

Riverside Market

Less than 10 minutes walk from the venue, nestled on the banks of the Avon river is the beautiful Riverside Market. More food than you can shake a stick at, with everything from burgers, low and slow BBQ, to gastropubs, to Dimitris Souvlakis (a Christchurch institution!) Ideal if you’re going with a crowd where everyone has their own taste preferences.

Little High Eatery

Riverside’s older, more Eastern, and slightly more international brother. 20 minutes from the Venue, but probably a great spot if you’re staying at the Breakfree. Similar vibe of everyone orders what they want, and we all eat together.

Restaurants & nightlife | Te Pae