5 Day Christchurch Food & Wine Escape

Collect your rental car on arrival and make your way to your chosen Christchurch accommodation for a four-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day settling in and exploring the central city, where regenerated laneways, heritage streets and lively hospitality precincts have helped establish Christchurch as one of New Zealand’s most interesting emerging food destinations.

For a casual introduction, wander through Riverside Market, where numerous food vendors, cafés and specialty producers sit under one roof. Later, wine lovers can visit Cellar Door in the historic Arts Centre, while dinner options include the intimate Twenty Seven Steps on colourful New Regent Street or the sharing-style dining experience at 5th Street. If you are looking for an alternative premium restaurant during your stay, Inati restaurant offers a contemporary dining experience in central Christchurch.

Included Experience

Christchurch Tram Restaurant Dining Experience
Step aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant for a unique dining journey through the heart of the city aboard a beautifully restored heritage tram. Enjoy a multi-course evening meal as you travel past illuminated landmarks, combining dining with ever-changing views from the tram’s elegant interior. It is one of Christchurch’s most distinctive evening experiences and a memorable way to combine the city’s heritage with its contemporary food scene.

Spend today discovering Christchurch through its food, local flavours and evolving city centre. Start with coffee or breakfast at C1 Espresso before exploring the central city, or join a guided culinary experience that introduces some of the people, stories and flavours behind Christchurch’s food scene.

Included Experience

Kai Bites Lunch Walking Tour
Discover central Christchurch through its flavours on a guided walking tour combining local food tastings with fascinating stories about the city’s culture, heritage and regeneration. Visit a selection of eateries and culinary stops while discovering some of the people and businesses contributing to Christchurch’s evolving food scene. With plenty to taste along the way, it is an enjoyable way to experience the city from a distinctly local perspective.

Optional Experiences

Canterbury Winery Helicopter Lunch
Take to the skies on a scenic helicopter flight across Canterbury before landing at a selected winery for a memorable lunch experience. Admire spectacular aerial views over the Canterbury Plains, patchwork farmland and surrounding landscapes before enjoying seasonal cuisine and regional wines. Combining scenic flying, fine food and wine, this is an exceptional option for a special occasion or premium addition to your escape.

Melton Estate Boutique Winery Heli Lunch
Fly by helicopter to Melton Estate for an indulgent winery lunch surrounded by the rural landscapes of Canterbury. Enjoy spectacular aerial sightseeing before landing among the vines for seasonal cuisine accompanied by boutique wines. This distinctive experience combines helicopter flying, vineyard scenery and relaxed dining for a memorable highlight of your Christchurch stay.

Before your evening experience, consider a pre-dinner wine at Downstairs on New Regent Street.

Travel north from Christchurch into the Waipara Valley, one of New Zealand’s renowned cool-climate wine regions. The area is particularly celebrated for Pinot Noir and Riesling, alongside Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and other aromatic varieties grown among the rolling landscapes of North Canterbury.

Included Experience – Afternoon Waipara Wine Tour with Lunch & Tastings
Enjoy a guided journey through the Waipara wine region, visiting selected wineries for tastings and insights into local winemaking. Discover how the valley’s distinctive climate, soils and sheltered landscape influence its wines while sampling a selection of regional varieties. A winery lunch completes the experience, allowing you to relax over excellent food and wine while someone else takes care of the driving.

Optional Upgrade – Private Waipara Wine Tour
Upgrade to a private wine tour for a more personalised exploration of the Waipara Valley and its boutique wineries. The experience offers greater flexibility and a more intimate way to discover cellar doors, local winemakers and wines suited to your individual tastes. It is particularly well suited to couples, small groups and dedicated wine enthusiasts seeking a premium day in North Canterbury wine country.

After returning to Christchurch, keep the evening relaxed after a full day of wine tasting. If you still have an appetite, Fiddlesticks Restaurant and Bar provides a convenient central-city option for dinner or a drink.

Choose between two contrasting Canterbury destinations for your final full day – the picturesque harbour village of Akaroa or the alpine resort town of Hanmer Springs. Both journeys showcase beautiful Canterbury scenery and provide opportunities to discover regional cafés, restaurants and local produce along the way.

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Drive across the volcanic landscapes of Banks Peninsula to Akaroa, a charming harbour village known for its French heritage, waterfront setting and relaxed atmosphere. Start with coffee at Crater Cafe Akaroa or relax in the garden setting of The Common Cafe & Garden Bar before exploring the village, harbour and boutique shops.

For a leisurely lunch, Ma Maison Restaurant & Bar - Akaroa offers a waterfront dining option that fits particularly well into a food-focused day trip. Take time to enjoy Akaroa rather than rushing the return journey, with the harbour setting providing a scenic contrast to Christchurch and the vineyards of North Canterbury.

Option: Akaroa Scenic Wildlife Cruise
Cruise through the sheltered waters of Akaroa Harbour in search of the world's smallest and rarest Hector's dolphins. Along the way you may also encounter New Zealand fur seals, little blue penguins and a variety of seabirds while your skipper shares fascinating local knowledge. The dramatic volcanic scenery makes every cruise a memorable experience.

Hanmer Springs & North Canterbury

Travel through the scenic landscapes of North Canterbury to Hanmer Springs, a relaxed alpine village surrounded by mountains and forest. Enjoy brunch or coffee at Powerhouse Cafe & Restaurant or Rustic Cafe & Tapas Bar before exploring the village or relaxing in the famous thermal pools.

Allow time for a leisurely meal before returning to Christchurch, making the day as much about relaxation as sightseeing. The journey through North Canterbury provides a pleasant change of pace from the city and vineyards while adding another regional flavour to the itinerary.

Option: Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
Relax and unwind at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa with full pool entry, allowing you to soak in the naturally heated mineral waters surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Your experience also includes a deluxe grazing platter to share, along with complimentary towel and robe hire, creating the perfect combination of indulgence and relaxation.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Christchurch before checking out of your accommodation and returning your rental car. Depending on your departure time, enjoy breakfast or brunch in the central city or spend some final time browsing local shops and artisan producers.

Return to Riverside Market to explore its collection of food stalls, specialty produce, cafés and artisan vendors at your own pace. Sample something freshly prepared, enjoy a final coffee or browse for edible souvenirs, with plenty of choice in one convenient central location. Wine enthusiasts can also stop at Mischief With Wine Cellardoor and Wine Bar within the market precinct to discover another taste of New Zealand wine before departure.