There’s a bunch of reasons why many consider Haka House Christchurch to be the best hostel in Christchurch city centre – not least of all the property’s convivial atmosphere, choice of private and shared accommodation and excellent facilities, and a fantastic location that puts it literally slap bang in the middle of the city.
Within a few minutes’ walk of this modernized 19th-Century heritage building accommodation are a good number of Christchurch tourist attractions. Picturesque Hagley Park and the Avon River with its famous Edwardian punt boats, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum and Christchurch Art Gallery are all just a comfortable stroll away, as are a host of cafes and eateries that make up the city’s vibrant foodie scene.
As cliche as it sounds, no stay in Christchurch is complete without a punting trip along the Avon River. It’s an enchanting experience that has become an iconic pastime here, complete with a skilled punter in traditional Edwardian attire who gently propels you on your river sojourn through the lovely green landscape of Hagley Park and the botanic gardens.
You’ll discover why Christchurch is known for its English heritage and why it’s dubbed the ‘Garden City’. With over 1.5 million recorded visits each year, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are one of the most popular places to visit in Christchurch – boasting trees, plants, and foliage both native and exotic from around the world. The attraction has ‘seven seasons’ throughout the year to reflect different flowering stages.
The Botanic Gardens also feature various conservatories to explore, while birdlife can be seen everywhere throughout the wider Hagley Park – being as it is a central city refuge for up to 40 native and introduced species of bird. Kilometres of cycling and walking tracks can also be enjoyed around the area.
For a touch of culture and art, Canterbury Museum’s pop-up museum (open while the main site undergoes redevelopment) features visitor favourites, exhibitions, and collections such as Curiously Annotated Creatures, Canterbury Critters and Castaways and Coracles. The landmark Christchurch Art Gallery houses numerous exhibition areas, education workrooms and shops, while The Arts Centre features galleries, museums, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, and a lively events programme – its Rutherford’s Den museum offers multi-sensory and hands-on experiences, and the Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities showcases over 3,000 years of human history.
Haka House Christchurch’s central city location doesn’t mean other Christchurch tourist attractions aren’t also easily reached. Quite the opposite! A 15–20-minute drive from downtown is the Christchurch Gondola, which takes passengers on an unforgettable 10-minute cable car ride to the top of Mt Cavendish. At the summit are walking tracks to explore, and stunning panoramic views of the city of Christchurch, Lyttelton Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
A little further out of town – at 90 minutes’ drive – but definitely worth it, is the chance to swim with Hector’s dolphins in beautiful Akaroa Harbour. These are among the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, and are only found along the New Zealand coast – mostly the South Island coast.
There’s a maximum of 12 swimmers per excursion, so it’s a fantastic chance to get up and close with these majestic denizens of the deep. There are swimming and watching options, in what Lonely Planet voted to be one of the top 10 marine mammal experiences in the world.
Haka House Christchurch is hard to beat when it comes to warm, inviting accommodation where you can meet like-minded travellers from the world over, and have a ton of fun exploring the many places to visit Christchurch in winter, summer or any time you happen to be in this wonderful corner of planet Earth.
Walk into any Haka Hostel, and you’ll discover stories of Māori culture, told through custom-created mural paintings. Each mural gives a glimpse into fascinating legends, and an introduction to the artistry of the Māori people, brought to life by Charles and Janine Williams, local contemporary artists who are passionate about sharing their heritage.
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Occupying a fantastic location on the shores of stunning Lake Wakatipu, within minutes of Queenstown’s shops, restaurants and charming pedestrian avenues, is an absolute jewel in cosy and modern hostel-style Queenstown lakefront accommodation – the aptly named Haka House Queenstown Lakefront.
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