Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Indulge

Christchurch romantic places, couples things to do

  • 4 minutes

Canterbury, South Island

Adventure or picnics plenty of choices doing stuff together

Discover Christchurch, a city with romance in its revitalised soul. Find the glorious Antigua boat sheds where the Avon River punts live. Walk alongside the Avon River wending its way through the city heart. Enjoy strolling in glorious Botanic gardens. The rejuvenated city has a heritage tram to whisk you around from Art Deco New Regent Street to cafes in quiet laneways. Romance and Christchurch go hand in hand.

Brighton Beach in mid summer, Christchurch, New Zealand
Brighton Beach, Christchurch

Sunset locations

A moment where nature provides the backdrop

  • New Brighton Pier stunning sunrise and sunsets, the perfect place after a visit to New Brighton Hot Pools
  • Street art murals to create a personalised humorous take on your holiday together
  • Botanic Gardens and spring Japanese cherry blossoms
  • Port Hills Gondola ride, capture sunset with your partner framed by hills, harbour and city twilight.

For more selfie locations check Christchurch 29 places for a great selfie or photo moment.

Picnic outdoors

Let nature give you a hand in the romantic stakes with the option of wet weather alternatives. The impromptu feel of a picnic is the stuff of dreams.

Check out Christchurch market hopping and shopping – Best Bits for where to go for locally sourced foodie treats and you are all set to go.

And want to spend a day or so exploring markets out of town, scroll through Farmers Markets a short drive from Christchurch for inspiration.

Let’s get out of town and explore 7 weekend farmers markets a short drive from Christchurch.

The Riccarton Market on Sunday which is located at Christchurch, New Zealand
The Riccarton Market on Sunday which is located at Christchurch, New Zealand
Edmonds Factory Garden entrance, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Edmonds Factory Garden entrance, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Several great spots for a couples only picnic in Christchurch:

  • Edmonds Factory Garden in spring, spilling over with scented roses, pergolas with climbing geraniums, seating in quiet corners and the memory of Nana’s baking make this a great place to spend time together. Wet weather: Ferrymead Heritage Park
  • Millbrook Reserve is a beautifully curated English style garden restful with riverside picnic spots and mature trees. A highlight is spring with flowering azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. A hint that the place is romantic: Millbrook is a popular local venue for outdoor weddings and photography. Wet weather: Merivale offers plenty of indoor cafe options
  • Botanic Gardens, the unmissable botanic gardens offer spring cherry blossoms, winter lush native bush and the Avon River with punts and kayaks crusing leisurely punting the placid river. A garden of all seasons with the option of wet weather dash into the Canterbury Museum nearby Christchurch Arts Centre.

Read more about Christchurch 10 top picnic spots and find your private space to build your memory moments together.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch gondola in the sunset light, Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch gondola in the sunset light

Where to take a selfie together

  • Outdoors, your picnic supplies, your chosen location and lots of smiles
  • Gondola ride up the Port Hills
  • Punting on the River Avon is an oldie but goodie
  • Historic Antigua Boat Sheds. For over 130 years, these beautiful sheds have had a part to play in Christchurch’s history
  • Botanic Gardens, where to start, the place is packed with beautiful locations from gnarled tree trunks, native bush reserve, flowering beds, roses, shrubs and a river running through the grounds
  • New Regent street pastel Art Deco vibe
TIP

Try to snap the vintage tram in your background as it passes through.

Let’s get out of town

Rangiora’s Ashley Gorge is a 50 minute drive from the CBD. The reserve is virtually within Rangiora’s town centre located on the southern banks of the Ashley/Rakahuri River. Its proximity to the town makes it a popular spot in summer with Rangiora residents and visitors. Regeneration planting has created a beautiful lush bush environment to throw down the picnic rug. An electric BBQ is provided on the site as well as toilets and picnic tables. Every summer a safe swimming hole is dug in the Ashley/Rakahuri River adjacent to the picnic ground.

Read more What’s so great about Rangiora, nothing like a road trip designed with you in mind.

@AshleyGorgeHolidayPark
@AshleyGorgeHolidayPark
Lumiere Cinema @Lumiere Cinemas
@Lumiere Cinemas

Movie magic

Snuggle together – back row at the movies

Perfect year round and it doesn’t matter what the weather is up to. Lumière Cinema in the Arts Centre is a must-go venue for the romantic at heart. The Arts Centre has the plush city sophisticated  Art Deco Bijou Bar for pre-movie drinks. Perhaps you will choose the Lumiere experience of vintage ambience, comforty well spaced seating with a side table stocked with a cheese platter and glass of wine.

And want to know what to do at night, scroll through, Christchurch nightlife where the beat goes on.

New Regent Street – table for two

Art Deco elegance and an intimate restaurant is the definition of caring.

Count the steps to twenty seven steps and enjoy a night on the town.

Consider the intimate Story | Christchurch Coffee, Snack, Dinner or Drink, with its seasonal menu and option of a set menu where the budget is planned for

Rare Art Deco streetscape, New Regent St Christchurch, New Zealand
Rare Art Deco streetscape, New Regent St Christchurch, New Zealand
@Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
@Christchurch Tramway Restaurant

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant – table for two

Fun, the table is moving as you dine on the Christchurch Tram. It’s romantic as the city night sights flick past the windows. You are in an intimate dining experience, and a piece of Christchurch history on the heritage Christchurch Tramway Restaurant.

Read more about Christchurch foodie experiences and Christchurch brunch, lunch and everything in between.

Go punting on the Avon

Punting is not a clique, it is an authentic must-do Christchurch attraction. Punting the Avon has been a romantic pastime for over a hundred years so it definitely has got the tick of approval.

WET WEATHER: It is fun with an umbrella and rug to keep you snuggled up together.

Those who adventure together, stay together

Supa Karts, adrenaline bumps as you compete against your partner. Laugh uproariously as you career around the track. Visit Go Karting Track -Supa Karts Next Level – Fun Motorsport Action brace yourself for a bucket load of jolting fun.

Avon River, punting, NZ
Avon River, punting, NZ
Christchurch Escape Room, Code Breakers @codebreakers
@codebreakers

Solve a mystery together

Virtual reality magic when you team up together and play Jungle Quest or Chernobyl with VR Escape Rooms — CodeBreakers – Christchurch Escape Room. It is definitely a team effort and a great date night idea.

Indulge – New Brighton hot pools anyone

He Puna Taimoana with five heated, saltwater pools, a separate two-metre-deep cold plunge pool and a sauna with a magnificent ocean view. Soak up the views, unwind after exploring New Brighton.

There’s also a café within the pool complex. Rejuvenated New Brighton pedestrian mall has plenty of eateries to while away the rest of the day together. Consider Three Donkeys specialising in SE Asian food or The Burger Joint for a classic burger to eat on the pier as the sun sets.

HePunaTaimoana,Christchurch, New Zealand @HePunaTaimoana
@HePunaTaimoana

For further inspiration check out Christchurch five short walks or day trips for foodie lovers a chance to get out of Christchurch and explore North Canterbury, Hurunui wine and food trail.

And let’s not break the bank, check Indulge 10 tips for a romantic holiday location on a budget.

For more insights on Christchurch destinations, explore our Christchurch travel guide.

 

BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.

 

Our editors independently visit tour operators, purchase tickets, pay for accommodation, and rate products and places. We are not paid to go on a tour or visit a place. We only make money if you decide to purchase a product through our website links. We promise to never accept free products from manufacturers in return for boosting their products. Read more about our affiliate programme in the terms and conditions HERE.

Related articles

Enquire

If you have a query about content, travel deals or anything else, our team is happy to answer all your questions 🙂

    Your information is secure, no third party involved.
    100% Safe, secure, privacy guaranteed. Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe