Beginning life as an industrial area whose main fixtures were a train station and a jail, Addington has now become one of the coolest little suburbs on the fringe of the central city. Its neighbours are Hagley Park, Sydenham and Riccarton, and it’s also a destination for three of Christchurch’s major entertainment venues: Christchurch Arena, Orangetheory Stadium and Addington Raceway.

Addington is a network of hidden gems. Looking for an authentic sushi train experience? You got it. A vegan café and grocer? Oh yes. Local cafés that have elevated to legendary status? Absolutely. Many of the hospitality hotspots here come with the vibe of a beloved community institution – obvious when you feel it, impossible to fake it. This now-thriving community became something of a stand-in for the city centre following the earthquakes, bringing office workers, small businesses and a vibrant dining culture here that have become part of its long-lasting identity.

This fairly new suburb was developed from land originally owned by Good Shepherd Sisters, and the first residents moved into the area in 2002. Some historic buildings still remain, including the St John of God Chapel, which is a category 1 heritage listed building.

There are no shops in the suburb itself, with the nearest being a couple of kilometres away in Halswell. Aidanfield is handy to Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, however, and there is lots of green space and several reserves around the Heathcote River, which runs through more or less through the suburb’s middle.

Considering its proximity to the central city, this mini-suburb has a nice, quiet suburban vibe, with cute houses and plenty of amenities within walking distance. Barrington is sometimes considered to be part of Spreydon, although it does have its own namesake shopping centre and park, the latter of which is also home to the Barrington Bowling and Tennis Clubs. You’re nice and close to the hubs of Sydenham and Addington too, for all your retail, caffeine and nightlife needs.

Leafy avenues lined with character villas are the flavour of Beckenham. Bridging the gap between Cashmere and Sydenham, its border follows the looping line of the Heathcote River, bringing with it all the tranquillity and family-friendly vibes of riverside living.

This is the kind of area where it’s easy to do your shopping direct from the source, with speciality butchers, fresh produce stores and artisan suppliers all nearby. It’s good to be a kid in Beckenham: amenities for the young ones are generously scattered about, including a children’s theatre, library, swim school, toy library and early childhood centres. It doesn’t skimp on community facilities for the grown-ups either – socialise at neighbourhood pubs, make friends at the Beckenham Bowling Club, and pick up some treats at the South Christchurch Farmers’ Market on Sunday mornings.

Beckenham Park is a key fixture of the area, drawing locals to its grounds for a game of cricket or football, to feed the ducks or play on the playground. It’s an easy two-minute trip down Colombo Street into the centre of town, or in the opposite direction, the Port Hills are on your doorstep just waiting to be explored.

Enjoying a lofty position overlooking the city, Cashmere is hot property with Port Hills adventures and central city amenities on its doorstep. The Heathcote River winds lazily around the foot of the hills, an inviting spot for weekend meanderings, dog walks and family bike rides, and a top-notch café scene means you have plenty of opportunities for some quality caffeination.

Cashmere is that rare breed of suburb that feels alive and happening every day of the week. Its natural outdoor playgrounds draw fresh-air seekers from all over town, and with a couple of Christchurch’s best schools in the vicinity, the demographic ranges from the trike-riding young, to students, parents and retirees.

The Port Hills are the biggest draw-card here. Glorious sweeping views are never too far away, and the generous helping of walking and biking tracks cater to explorers of all descriptions. In Victoria Park, you can get to know the various walkways and hidden corners on foot, give your four-legged friend a dose of social zoomies at the dog park, and foster bravery in children who dare to shoot at speed down the old-skool steep metal slide. The hilltop playground area is also ideal for kite-flying in a decent breeze.

Cafés here come in all shapes and sizes – the modern, the historic, the bird’s eye view and the local gem. There are spots to linger over brunch; soak in the views with a glass of wine in hand; or pick up a quality cup of coffee while chatting with locals and getting your fresh produce for the week. There’s also a very healthy offering of fine artisan goods, from award-winning meats to handcrafted condiments, so next time you’re having friends round for dinner, you’ll know where to shop to knock their socks off. In summer, fruit stalls often pop up along the riverbank, sometimes manned by enterprising local kids, which all adds to the friendly village vibes. 

Right on the Cracroft and Cashmere border is the ultimate destination for outdoor excitement: Christchurch Adventure Park. A myriad of awesome mountain biking and walking trails are made easily accessible by chairlift – you can even ride it down for free if you’ve used all your oomph getting to the top. You can take mountain biking lessons here, and there are plenty of attractions for the kids, like a free pump track and beginners’ loops. The park is also home to the longest and highest ziplines in the country, for the sit-back-and-shriek kind of adrenaline rush.

Come to Cracroft for the very best of Port Hills adventure. Tucked in neatly between Cashmere and Westmorland, the big attraction of this suburb is Christchurch Adventure Park, an 880-acre forested park criss-crossed with a network of walking and mountain biking trails, some of the best in the city. The park also boasts New Zealand’s highest and longest ziplines, and has a café on site. There are a few subdivisions in Cracroft, and residents get a semi-rural outlook along with their big skies and views over the city.

On the sunny, north-facing side of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour sits a scenic little jewel in Banks Peninsula’s crown. Get to it either by a quick, 15-minute ferry from Lyttelton, or via pretty drive around the bays, passing by other picturesque settlements like Governors Bay and Charteris Bay. Diamond Harbour soaks up more than its fair share of sunshine, and coupled with glorious views over the water, coastal walks from which to enjoy them, and a tight-knit, creative community, it’s no wonder that the residents of this little town tend to stay for the long haul.

Owning some sort of water craft serves you well here, and the wharf is a popular gathering spot for launching said craft, as well as fishing and jumping off into the water when it’s hot out. The historic Stoddart Cottage often exhibits local art and crafts, and there are a handful of rustic eateries as well as a day spa and several reserves for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

The far side of the Port Hills, this is the final destination of Dyers Pass Road. You’re likely to see keen cyclists passing through this seaside community on any day of the week. You can enjoy views of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour and Quail Island from the Ōtoromiro Hotel, Harbour House café, or one of the cute local B&Bs. The Governors Bay Jetty is an iconic sight, though you can’t currently walk on it due to horrendous damage from the Canterbury Earthquakes.

Touching Cracroft to the east and Wigram to the north, Halswell is one of Christchurch’s fastest-growing suburbs. It used to be a separate village, and was only integrated into the greater Christchurch area in the 1990s. It still walks the line between urban and rural vibes, with farmland going hand-in-hand with subdivisions and housing developments. The latter are growing all the time as more and more residents spread out of Christchurch’s inner suburbs.

Ironically enough, the Halswell Quarry is not technically in Halswell, but in neighbouring Kennedys Bush. It’s close enough to be counted among the suburb’s attractions, though, and the attractions of the quarry itself are many, including but not limited to mountain biking and walking tracks, historic sites, and sister city gardens. There’s also a dedicated mountain biking park accessible through the quarry. Halswell Domain – definitely in Halswell this time – has delights of its own to offer, like sports fields, a skate park, a lake on which you can often see model boats being sailed, and the Halswell Miniature Railway, which runs every Sunday.

Talk to any real estate agent about property in Heathcote and they will be quick to tell you all about its micro-climate. It’s all true, too: this sunny, spacious suburb with its hill views and semi-rural community feel generally sees temperatures a couple of degrees warmer than the rest of the city. It’s a grower’s community, with everything from apricot orchards to flowers to hops busy thriving in the balmy weather. You can reap the benefits locally too, at The Greenhouse Market, held every Sunday morning in Station Road. Cafés and eateries are of small quantity and high quality, all with that friendly, welcoming vibe of a true local.

Though it’s only a 15-minute drive to the central city, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally wandered into the countryside. Horses and sheep are a common sight, sometimes even in people’s backyards, and many residents can enjoy a beautiful outlook of the Port Hills, over the valley, or both from their various windows. There are a handful of popular rock climbing spots in Heathcote, including Castle Rock, Britten Crag and Cattlestop Crag, and for the keen walkers among us, one end of the steep but rewarding Bridle Path begins here, close to the entrance of the Lyttelton Tunnel. Here you also happen to be right by the Christchurch Gondola, on which you ride in cable cars up Mount Cavendish, gaping at the incredible panoramic views of Christchurch, the ocean, and the Southern Alps as you go.

Much of this south-western suburb is taken up by the expansive Canterbury Agricultural Park, a large multi-use space best known for being the home of the Canterbury A&P Show. Following the Heathcote River on its southern side, the showgrounds, as it’s often called, is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and dog owners for its native wetlands, forested areas and lake.

Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub is also located within the park, one of the main athletics and sporting arenas in Christchurch. It’s home to several international-standard sports facilities including athletics track and field, hockey, rugby league, and tennis. Just a jump over the motorway will find you in the neighbourhood of Christchurch Arena, Orangetheory Stadium, and Addington Raceway.

Nestled right in beneath the Port Hills and encompassing such green assets as Mt Vernon Park, residents in Hillsborough have myriad hillside walking tracks at their disposal. There are heaps of options for walks in Mt Vernon Park, and if you’re a keen cyclist with a taste for sweeping views, you can also access the popular Rapaki Track from here. Continue up to reach the scenic Summit Road, which leads either towards Cashmere or Mt Pleasant, depending on your direction.

If you’re less inclined to huff and puff on your afternoon constitutionals, some more gentle and peaceful walks can be had around the Heathcote River. There are a couple of different options for mini golf in the area, including one with giant, animatronic dinosaurs.

Bordering Woolston, Hillsborough reaps the benefits of all its amenities, including takeaways, secondhand shopping, craft beer, and boutique mall The Tannery.

Snuggled up at the base of the Port Hills next to Spreydon and Cashmere, Hoon Hay has a semi-rural outlook, bordered by farmland and Sparks Road Wetland in the south. Centennial Park and Pioneer Recreation & Sports Centre are right on the edge of the suburb, with pools, gym facilities, multiple sports courts and an on-site café. The large Hoon Hay Park and Bellbird Park have sports fields, a playground, basketball hoop and skateboarding area for all your energy burning needs.

Views over the city come in glorious panoramic fashion up Huntsbury Hill. People living on this slice of the Port Hills are often treated to fabulous sunsets and moon rises over the city, and you might even catch a glimpse of the sea to the east if you’re positioned right.

As with all areas of the Port Hills, there are plenty of reasons to explore by car, bike or on foot, whether you’re after a bit of thigh-burning exercise or just want to blow away the cobwebs with a peaceful outlook. For refuelling, take your pick from the dining and takeaway options scattered around the bottom of the hill, or head to neighbouring Cashmere or Beckenham for a bite. On the southern edge of Huntsbury up in the hills you’ll find Tussock Hill Vineyard and Cellar Door, Christchurch’s very own local winery, with an award-winning restaurant definitely worth a visit.

A couple of assets named after entirely different suburbs live here: Halswell Quarry and Hoon Hay Scenic Reserve. Go figure. But a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and the action at Kennedys Bush is certainly sweet. Kennedys Bush was New Zealand’s first scenic reserve, first formed in 1906, and is a lovely place to watch and listen for birdlife. Halswell Quarry is a gold mine – figuratively speaking – for mountain bikers, walkers, dog parents, and even history buffs. It boasts a wicked network of walking and biking tracks, three historic buildings including the former crusher plant manager’s residence, and six sister city gardens.

There’s more mountain biking action to be had at Crocodile XC Mountain Bike Park, and Kennedys Bush Track presents a good challenge, with the longest ascent in the Port Hills. This whole area is perfect for exploring on foot as well. Excellent walking tracks to put on your list include the Crater Rim Walkway, from which you can take in stunning views all the way from the Sign of the Kiwi to the Sign of the Bellbird. Speaking of which, the latter is a hidden historic gem that also makes for a stunningly scenic picnic spot. It was built in 1913 to be a rest house for people walking in the Port Hills, and once served as a tearoom, post office and telephone bureau.

The funky neighbourhood through the tunnel started off as a functional port town – in fact, it was a larger settlement than Christchurch for four years after Christchurch became an official city in 1856. Lyttelton has since taken on a life of its own as a cultural hub, with a special out-of-the-city vibe that makes it a destination all its own. The unique villagey feel seems to attract a certain hippie undercurrent, and a wander through the streets brings you past vibrant street art, an array of quirky businesses, and the kind of general friendliness you only get in a small-town-that’s-not-really-a-small-town.

Walking around Lyttelton’s steep streets might make you work hard for your oxygen, but the stunning views of the harbour and the industrial happenings in the port are well worth it. The Port Hills are right at your back, and there are many excellent tracks leading into the hills and around the coastline from different points within the township. Don’t miss the legendary Bridle Path – it’s a quintessential Port Hills walk, and the historic path that early settlers took from Lyttelton before the tunnel was completed. This is also the perfect jump-off for exploring further around Banks Peninsula; Corsair Bay, Governor’s Bay and Diamond Harbour are all short distances away, and the whole harbour is your oyster if you happen to have a boat, kayak, or paddleboard at your disposal.

Lyttelton’s hospitality scene punches well above its weight, with more excellent eateries, characterful cafés and trendy bars than you can shake a stick at. Creative types have a monopoly here, and a buzzing live music and performance scene is the result. Pop through the tunnel for a meal any night of the week, and you’re likely to also find some music, comedy or theatre to entertain you afterwards. The independent shops sprinkled around the main precinct defy all traditional retail expectations in the best possible way; locally made gifts, art, secondhand clothing and books, records, house plants, eco-friendly products and local merch is the flavour of shopping in Lyttelton.

One of this port town’s biggest weekend draws is the Saturday morning market. Every week from 10am to 1pm, London Street is taken over with stalls selling fresh produce, artisan products, hot food and drinks, art, crafts, clothing, and more. It’s popular with locals and visitors alike, so you’d be doing well to get a park on the surrounding streets, but take it as an opportunity to stretch your legs and explore everything Lyttelton has to offer.

A quiet suburb on the lower Port Hills, Murray Aynsley is nestled in next to Hillsborough, with access to lots of great walks and bike paths. The Montgomery Spur Reserve is a scenic spot with great views over the plains and to the coast, and is the perfect starting point to connect with the popular Rāpaki Track.

The southern edge of Somerfield follows the line of the Heathcote River, bringing a leafy tranquillity to this outer-central suburb. Its neighbours in the north are Sydenham and Spreydon, meaning you’re perfectly placed to take advantage of inner-city buzz, riverside strolls and Port Hills adventures.

Somerfield has plenty of amenities, including the Pioneer Recreation & Sport Centre and Somerfield Park for getting active. It’s served by a small collection of shops, and there’s also a cluster of popular bars and restaurants on the corner of Colombo and Somerfield streets. It’s close to the retail therapy at Barrington shopping centre, and also benefits from the top-notch cafés and eateries in Cashmere, just a hop over the river from here.

This is a suburb that hits the happy medium between peaceful suburbia and proximity to town. A walk or drive around these streets takes in an abundance of attractive, well-kept houses with beautiful and often extensive gardens, and just 10 minutes’ drive up the road puts you right in the middle of all the central city action. Addington and Sydenham with all their amenities are within easy walking distance, and so are Addington’s two major stadiums: Christchurch Arena and Orangetheory Stadium.

Spreydon has its own retail hub in Barrington shopping centre, and Pioneer Recreation & Sport Centre is also close by. Living here, there’s almost no need for a car – great cafés, shops, activities and entertainment are all negligible walking distance away.

This leafy riverside suburb is the epitome of ‘location, location, location’. The area itself is mostly residential: generously sized homes with beautiful gardens make up the majority, and although the streets feel quiet and peaceful, it’s close to just about everything you could want.

Heathcote River borders a large portion of St Martins, separating it from Opawa and Beckenham and providing ample green space and easy scenic walks. The side that isn’t bordered by the river is settled in at the base of the Port Hills, meaning not-so-easy walks and some excellent biking trails are also handy. St Martins Park has a sports field and a small playground and is also home to a bowling club and a croquet club, while Centaurus Park has an awesome wooden fort to explore.

Head northeast to cut through Sydenham and into the central city, only ten minutes away by car. There are some popular restaurants and local watering holes nearby in Cashmere and Somerfield, and you needn’t go far for your groceries – one of the best supermarkets in the city, by popular opinion, is right here.

Right on the border of the central city but just fringe enough to have a vibe all its own, Sydenham is a suburb to live, work and play, with everything you could possibly need. Shop among the hipsters for records and art supplies, pop over the road for some high-end designer fashion like you’re on the cover of a magazine, and get a bite to eat at a trendy café or bistro before heading north into the city or south into the hills to choose your next adventure.

Southern Colombo Street is the artery of this suburb, connecting the central city to swishy Cashmere, and the branching veins hold some absolute gems. The heart of this metaphor is The Colombo – come for the exceptional and diverse food court, and stay for the boutique shops with everything from books to plants, homewares to fashion. Everything melds together to create the feeling of an up-to-the-minute corner of town that is at once edgy and sophisticated, offering as much to musos and artists as it does to professionals and fashionistas.

Housing in this ‘hood is growing at a rate of knots; trendy new townhouses filling with young professionals and small families, bringing more life to a suburb that just keeps heading up and up. It’s an ideal location for anyone who likes to live with their finger on the pulse, with all the happenings and amenities of the central city right on your doorstep, and the outdoor playground of the Cashmere hills just a few kilometres away. A stroll around this neighbourhood will reveal a whole plethora of vibrant street art, adding to the hidden delights and edge of modern cool that Sydenham exudes.

Cafés, bars and eateries come in all forms, from small local gems to award-winning cuisine. You’re never far away from a top-notch cup of joe, and there are fabulous, creative and dietary inclusive brunch options out the wazoo. The prestigious dinner offerings bring foodies in from all over the city, so be sure to book in advance and treat your tastebuds to a meal to remember.

On the southeast corner just outside the central city’s four aves, Waltham is a fairly modest suburb with a few unique attractions that make it a pretty happening place to live. Its south end cosies up against the Heathcote River, lending this corner to quiet streets, family homes and peaceful walks. Waltham Park, Waltham Pool and Waltham School are all on this side of Brougham Street, so it’s an ideal area for families.

On the other side of Brougham Street you’re getting closer to the city and so amenities start popping up around almost every corner. There’s a secondhand and vintage shopping goldmine at the Ferry and Ensors Road intersection, an ice skating rink, bowling alley, organic grocery and an epic bouldering gym, as well as a few excellent cafés and even a co-working space all scattered around these Waltham streets. Go exploring!

Sitting on former farmland in the Port Hills and enjoying a bird’s eye view of the city, Westmorland is a desirable outer suburb between Cashmere and Halswell. It’s in-zone for several schools including Cashmere High, and the Port Hills with all their walking, biking, climbing and exploring potential are your very own playground. Westmorland Heights is a large development in the area, adding another 250 homes to the suburb.

You’ll see hints of Wigram’s aviation history dotted all around this western suburb, from street names like The Runway and Skyhawk Road to the model Corsair taking wing outside the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. The museum is one of Wigram’s – and Christchurch’s – big attractions, free to enter and housing the national collection of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, among other permanent and travelling exhibitions. Wigram was once home to one of the Air Force’s main bases, and it was also where the very first trans-Tasman flight touched down back in 1928.

Wigram Skies, built on the former site of the Wigram Aerodrome, is the main residential community and retail hub of this area. The Landing serves as its town centre, with a cinema, shops and excellent eateries. There are several parks and reserves within Wigram Skies, including Te Kāhu sports park. Sports are well catered for in general, with basketball courts, tennis courts, rock climbing structures and a badminton centre all nearby. Wigram also does a great line in good beer: there are several breweries here, including the craft beer connoisseurs at Wigram Brewing Company.