Planning a trip to New Zealand? Our Frequently Asked Questions page covers everything from booking tours and transport options to what to pack and when to visit. It’s your go-to guide for clear, reliable answers that help take the stress out of organising your holiday. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with a group, you'll find helpful tips to make your Kiwi adventure run smoothly.
Our base station is fully wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair is available for guests to borrow from reception. The Gondola cabins can accommodate manual wheelchairs up to 600mm wide, which is the maximum width of the cabin doorway. At the summit station, an elevator allows wheelchair users easy access to the café, observatory, and function spaces. However, please note that the Christchurch Discovery Ride is not accessible for wheelchairs.
The Christchurch Gondola ride usually lasts about 10 minutes, but at top speed, the journey can be completed in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
A full circuit on the Christchurch Tram takes approximately 50 minutes, but your ticket is valid for hop-on hop-off travel throughout the entire day.
Christchurch Tram Hours: 9:50am - 5pm daily. Last tram departs stop one at 4pm.
Trams run approximately every 10-15 minutes in summer and every 15-25 minutes in winter. Tickets valid for 1 calendar day.
There are currently 18 stops throughout central Christchurch. Customers can hop on and off at any stop, and our trams will pause at every stop so there is no need to alert the driver in advance that you would like to board or disembark.
If you have pre-purchased a ticket online through website, you can collect your tickets at our Booking Office at stop 1 in Cathedral Junction or from the drivers at any of our stops. You will just need to show the staff the booking confirmation and quote your booking reference (CHXXXXXX) in order to collect your tickets.
Two of Christchurch Trams are able to accommodate up to 2 manual wheelchairs on board at one time using the wheelchair hoist located in Cathedral Junction (please note that motorised wheelchairs are too heavy for the hoist to lift, and the maximum safe working load is 250kg). We recommend phoning ahead on the day to check whether wheelchair-accessible trams are operating and what time they will be departing from Cathedral Junction.
2 to 3 small, folded prams can be accommodated on board each of the larger trams (please note that the smaller trams are not able to accommodate folded trams so as not to block access to the aisles). Several trams also have pram hooks available to secure up to two prams to the exterior of the trams.
No, you can visit the attractions on different days if you prefer.
The Christchurch Pass offers flexibility, allowing you to visit the attractions in any order. Here’s a suggested one-day itinerary:
*Transportation to and from the Gondola can be by private car or public bus #8.
Please note this is just a suggested plan. Bookings for Punting are essential, so be sure to contact us for updated schedules.
Both our standard shared ride and private ride options last 30 minutes.
The ride departs from either the Antigua Boat Sheds or Worcester Bridge, depending on the tour option you choose. If starting at the Antigua Boat Sheds, the ride returns to the same location. For rides starting at Worcester Bridge, the journey ends at Victoria Square. Due to health and safety regulations, there are no opportunities to disembark before the designated end of the ride.
Christchurch winters can be chilly, but we provide blankets at both departure points to keep our guests warm. We also offer umbrellas and waterproof blankets to ensure guests stay dry during rainy or showery weather.
Unfortunately, Punting on the Avon is not fully wheelchair accessible. However, both the Antigua Boat Sheds and Worcester Bridge landings are accessible by wheelchair, allowing guests to step out of their chair and board the punt. For guests who remain in their wheelchairs, parties are welcome to lift the chair in and out of the punt if preferred.
Please contact us for more details.
No, the Christchurch Tram doesn't go to the Gondola. The Gondola is about a 15-minute drive from the city centre. You can also reach it by taking public bus number 8 from the Christchurch Bus Interchange, which stops right at the Gondola Base Station.
There are plenty of on-street and off-street parking available along the Tram route (check Christchurch City Council website for locations).
Christchurch Bus Interchange is one block from stops 5 and 8. Manchester Street Super Stop is one block from stop 1 at Cathedral Junction.
The Christchurch Gondola is a 15-minute drive from central Christchurch, with free parking at the Base Station in Heathcote Valley.
Year-round transport is available via bus number 8 from the Christchurch Bus Interchange, near tram stops 5 and 8.
The Gondola Shuttle operates daily in summer. It costs NZ$15.00 return for an adult, and $7.50 return for a child (5-15yrs). One-way tickets are also available for NZ$7.50 for an adult or NZ$3.75 for a child. Any under 5's ride free. See timetable here. (Pricing is correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.)
OPEN HOURS: 10am-4pm daily. Last ride down 60 minutes after closing.
The full tour takes approximately 40 minutes, but tickets are valid for the entire day, allowing you to hop on and off at the three stops as you explore.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour departs from behind the Peacock Fountain at 11am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm from Thursday to Sunday during winter.
In summer, it runs daily every half hour from 10am to 4pm, excluding 1pm and 1:30pm for driver breaks.
The tour departs from behind the Peacock Fountain in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. From the Rolleston Avenue entrance, walk straight ahead to the Peacock Fountain, where you'll see our purple teardrop flag marking the departure point. The tour includes three stops: behind the Peacock Fountain, outside the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre, and at the Woodland Bridge.
Unfortunately, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour is not wheelchair accessible. However, if you can step onto the shuttle, wheelchairs and walking frames can be left safely at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre during the tour.
The tour departs near the Peacock Fountain, close to the main entrance of the Botanic Gardens on Rolleston Avenue (look for our purple flag marking the departure point).
There are various on-street and off-street parking options nearby. For parking locations, visit the Christchurch City Council’s website.
If you're arriving by the Christchurch Tram, stop 13 is conveniently located across the street. The departure point is also just a 2-3 minute walk from Punting on the Avon’s Antigua Boat Sheds site along Rolleston Avenue.
The Christchurch Tram is an all‑day hop‑on hop‑off heritage service through central Ōtautahi Christchurch. It circles the city centre with 18 stops, letting visitors explore the best local sights, shops, parks and cafés at their own pace — all with live commentary from the tram driver.
Additional Stops (15–18):
Exact numbering may vary depending on service updates, but these stops fill out the circuit near Turanga Library, additional shopping lanes, and quieter corners of the CBD. Most are just a 1–2 minute walk from more well-known attractions.
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