Suspended above the suburbs of Christchurch, the Gondola whisks you nearly a kilometre to the Crater Rim of the Port Hills. See in the extinct volcano which exploded six million years ago, sheltering Lyttelton’s sparkling harbour and to the west, the Southern Alps seem close in the clear pure air and to the East, the ocean and the sky stretch as far as the eye can see. Experience the Time Tunnel, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the Port Hills and Christchurch and revive your spirits with a snack at the new Red Rock Cafe.

‘Make it Art Worthy’ is the name and aim of this gallery that champions creativity in all its forms. Here you can design your own gifts in the Dry Felting workshop from repurposed materials and present them with sparkling style after coming up with a unique wrapping scheme in the Pimping Box workshop. The space is also open to musicians of all levels to play in, a great way to meet like-minded folk and jam together. This non-profit organisation is run by volunteers and kept going by donations so some of the events and workshops will ask for a small sum of money but for the most part, visitors can appreciate the exhibitions free of charge.

Be prepared to have your mind bent, blown and rewired as you walk into the Lange Voorhout Palace where the illusory work of famous graphic artist M.C. Escher is exhibited. The palace is home to such legendary Escher paintings as 'Air and Water' in which birds are blended into fish and 'Waterfall' in which water appears to flow upwards instead of down. There are interactive experiences on the second floor, dedicated to the Eye of Escher where guests are encouraged to solve some of Escher’s most perplexing mysteries, including the impossible Penrose Triangle. On the third floor, there is a large-scale optical illusion where adults can appear to be children and vice versa. Audio tours and guided tours are available and there are additional temporary exhibitions taking place on occasion.

Experience life the way it should be — relaxed, tranquil and thoroughly enjoyable! Sink back into the velvet cushions of your boat as the Edwardian punter gently glides you down the Avon River (Ōtākaro), passing the trailing willows and leafy banks of the stunning Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This is an iconic Christchurch experience and an attraction not to be missed!