Car parking
There are a number of car parking buildings in the city centre. Costs for these car parks will be displayed at the parking entry. There are also paid on-street parking options available, however these can get busy during work hours on weekdays and in the weekends. Free parking is generally available on the city fringes, so expect to walk if you are able to find a free car park.
Speed limits
There are 30kph speed limit zones in Christchurch city centre, Linwood, Sydenham, Bromley, Opawa, Beckenham, Somerfield, Spreydon and Richmond. Generally, the speed limits in the rest of Christchurch will be 40kph or 50kph. As you leave the Christchurch, the speed limit progressively increases to 100kph.
One-way streets
There are a few one-way streets to be aware of in Christchurch. Most notably, there's:
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Kilmore Street and Saint Asaph Street heading west,
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Sainsbury Street and Tuam Street heading east,
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Madras Street and Montreal Street heading north, and
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Madras Street and Barbados Street heading South
As the city centre is a grid, there are lots of options for turning around if you find yourself on one of these streets by accident.
Discover New Zealand's South Island
When you hire a car in Christchurch, it's a great excuse to explore more of the South Island. Before you do, we recommend checking out these places in Christchurch City first.
Christchurch City Centre
Christchurch City Centre has undergone a lot of changes because of the devastating earthquake that occurred in 2011. There is a real mix of old and new, with the Arts Centre representing Christchurch before the earthquake and Riverside Market representing after the earthquake. The former is steeped in heritage and is near to Christchurch Art Gallery and Canterbury Museum. While the latter is a modern and international food hall, adjacent to a string of new restaurants and bars along the Avon River. Let's not forget that Christchurch is also known as the Garden City, thanks to its sprawling Botanic Gardens on the edge of the central city. Central Christchurch is a great place to explore, shop and dine.
Queenstown and Wanaka
Now that you've enjoyed Christchurch as a destination, why not set off across the South Island to experience unique landscapes, Instagram worthy scenery and one of the most exciting places in New Zealand. Queenstown is a busy destination year-round, thanks to its mix of winter activities and evergreen adventure spots like the Shotover Jet and AJ Hacket Bungy Jump. The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is approximately 6 hours and will take you through Lake Tekapo. If you have time, you can divert to Wanaka on your way to enjoy incredible views of the snow capped mountains known as the Southern Alps, as well as local wineries. It is about 5 hours from Christchurch to Wanaka.
Kaikoura and Nelson
If you would prefer to head north from Christchurch, you can drive your car hire to Nelson, via Kaikoura and Blenheim. Kaikoura is a small coastal town about 2.5 hours drive from Christchurch. It is famous for whale and dolphin watching, and delicious seafood. Travelling further north to the top of the South Island, you'll pass through Blenheim and near Picton, which is where you can travel by ferry to the North Island, and eventually reach Nelson. Nelson is the gateway to Golden Bay and the Marlborough Sounds, one of the sunniest and most picturesque places in the country. If you're travelling in summer, you'll get to enjoy endless beaches, stunning sunsets and hiking galore.
Dunedin
Located about 5 hours drive from Christchurch, Dunedin is a university town with a lot of the energy that would imply. It has incredible architecture, unique street art, lots of restaurants and bars, and a central meet up location in the Octagon. A short drive from the city on Otago Peninsula, you'll find plenty of wildlife to spot, like penguins, seals and sea lions. There are also tours from the Royal Albatross Centre to get close to these magnificent birds.
