Christchurch, New Zealand + Add a trip

Head out of town, up to the Port Hills. Rent a car or take a bus up to the Sign of the Kiwi: drive south out of town on Colombo St, keep going through Cashmere and up the hill, past the Sign of the Takahe (stone castle, on the left side of the road), all the way up until you see a little café. Grab a coffee or an ice cream, then walk along the Crater Rim track. Beautiful views of Lyttleton Harbour, the city and the hills.

Alternatively, keep driving over the top of the hill, and all the way down the other side. Turn right and keep going all the way around the bays.

Akaroa is also nice: instead of going up the hill, head southwest out of the city, around the Port Hills, through Taitapu and Motukarara and right into Banks Peninsula.

I went on a great cycling tour! My trip was a longer trip - but there are many weekend options in Christchurch. The scenery is beautiful and it was a great workout.

http://www.ekoventure.com/trips/australia_new_zealand-new_zealand_south_island-christchurch-cycling-exploration-adventure-exploration-family-nature-s-highway-nz-13782

If it's summer, Sumner is nice, the suburb along the beach - and Taylor's Mistake is pretty (the beach past Sumner right at the end of the road). There is a nice walk along the coast there too out to the Godley Heads. Sumner has lots of cute and yummy cafés and restaurants too.