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Experience the Garden City in Spring!

In this guide of How to Experience the Garden City in Spring time, find out where to go, where to eat and where you should experience the best with Alpine Luxury Tours.

Where to go for the best blooms?

The best locations for finding spring blooms in Christchurch, they differ from the Christchurch botanical gardens, to Hadstock farm and beyond. From September through to November is the best time to visit these locations for their florals and flora.

• Christchurch Botanic Gardens -The heart of it all. Huge flower beds, conservatories, and a great mix of cherry varieties with different colours and bloom times, so it stays interesting across the whole season. Don’t miss the Peacock Fountain and the daffodils along the river.
• Hagley Park North (Harper Avenue)A long avenue of cherry trees forms a pink blossom “tunnel” the classic Christchurch hanami spot. Peak viewing is usually mid-September into early October, weather dependent.
  South Hagley Park (Riccarton Avenue)Quieter than North Hagley, with its own blossom avenue. Easy to loop together with North Hagley and the Botanic Gardens for a full morning wander.
• Halswell Quarry Park – Sister City GardensSheltered quarry setting with the Kurashiki (Japan) garden and other sister-city plantings – a lovely, slightly later cherry blossom display. Most walking loops are wheelchair-friendly, 15–60 minutes.
• Hadstock FarmAbout 20 minutes from Christchurch, one of NZ’s largest flower growers – famous for daffodils, plus bluebells and other bulbs. A good pick-your-own option if you want flowers to take home.

All of these locations can be enjoyed on our Christchurch city tour, or our Custom Tours.

Where to eat during Spring in Christchurch?

Coming out of winter and into spring you feel like eating fresh, light and enjoyable foods. Think cafes, wineries and resturants that feel vibrant, upbeat and entertain your palete. Our top picks include an array of options during our most popular tours.
Greystone Winery- A certified-organic winery in the Waipara Valley, about an hour north of Christchurch, celebrated for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. The on-site restaurant matches that ambition with a seasonal, fortnightly-changing menu built largely from its own farm garden.
Under the Red Verandah – a family-run Linwood institution since 1997, serving fresh, locally sourced brunch and lunch fare alongside great coffee in a charming cottage building with a tranquil courtyard.
Riverside Market – a bustling, two-level indoor market on the banks of the Avon River in central Christchurch, packing fresh produce, artisan bakeries, and around 30 food stalls and restaurants alongside boutique shopping in Riverside Lanes.

To name a few specific locations however Christchurch is full of vibrant, local and fresh places to eat!

The best place to experience Christchurch’s bustling spring is the city centre itself, think livley, fun and uplifing.

Spring is when the events calendar really wakes up – the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival typically runs mid-October, showcasing New Zealand design through runway shows and designer showcases, along with the Christchurch Heritage Festival (usually late October, exploring local history through walks, talks and open days) and Diwali at Horncastle Arena, one of the South Island’s biggest cultural events. Spring also kicks off “Cup and Show Week” season, with race days, agricultural shows and fashion events building toward summer.

Our Christchurch City Tour combines the best of the city with your prefrences to indulge you in a memorable day out. Ask our reservations team about how we can assit you in creating the best day out in Christchurch this spring!