The Aalton motel is just a one minute walk from the beautiful Hagley Park. You can walk through the park to the Canterbury Museum, the Botanical Gardens and onward through the Arts Centre, past the stunning Art Gallery to Cathedral Square and the City Centre (approximately a 30 minute walk. Alternatively, a bus can be taken to the city centre (5 minutes) from just outside our gate. Just a ten minute walk in the opposite direction brings you to the Westfield Riccarton Shopping Mall, with many shops, restaurants and facilities such as a supermarket and a movie theatre.

The Cathedral - Christchurch New Zealand
Tram Line - Christchurch New Zealand

In Cathedral Square there is always entertainment, from buskers to performers to street stalls selling crafts. The Cathedral is well worth a look and a fully restored Victorian tram winds its way around the inner city streets past most of the city's popular sites, including the Arts Centre. Within Christchurch itself there are many restaurants offering a range of cuisines and there are shopping malls dotted throughout the city.

The city is heavily influenced by the early English settlers, and owes much of its character to them. Winding its way through the central city is the Avon River, overlooked by many bars and cafes. Punting on the Avon is a popular activity to be enjoyed, especially within the warm summer months.

Outside the city there is an adventure playground just waiting to be explored. There are beaches, golf courses, wildlife parks, the Antarctic Centre, windsurfing, boating and ski fields, scenic drives, wineries and walking and tramping tracks are easily accessible within the Canterbury province. The French Village of Akaroa and Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort are also very popular day excursions form the Aalton Motel.