New Regent Street Precinct

Enjoy the eye-catching architecture on New Regent street; just 15 minutes walk from our conference venue. Built in the early 1930s, this spanish-style “pedestrian mall” is one of the best places to enjoy some boutique shopping, delicious food and truly excellent gelato. Enjoy the cafés by day and the cocktail bars by night!

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, home to the iconic ChristChurch Cathedral. Nine years on from the earthquake, the cathedral remains in ruins. You won’t be able to get in (unless you’re a pigeon) but the building remains as a somber reminder. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The square remains a vibrant hub where you’ll see buskers, food trucks and stalls - especially on a Friday!

Riverside Market

This bustling indoor market is linked to a vibrant network of boutique retail, restaurants, cafes & bars. Try locally sourced food, locally made relishes and talk to locally grown people! Then head on upstairs to one of the rooftop bars and restaurants. It’s all located right by the Avon river, 15 minutes from our venue.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

It’s not called the Garden City for nothing. The botanic gardens have carefully cultivated their beautiful displays so that there’s something to see in every season. The gardens are also home to a number of artworks donated by the SCAPE Public Artists, who change their installations every year!

Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Wall

185 people lost their lives in the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. The wall is the Crown’s official memorial in their honour and was opened on the sixth anniversary of the earthquake. It is located on both sides of the Avon River downstream from the Montreal Street bridge. You will see that the names are not ordered alphabetically or by date: instead they are grouped with those they died alongside, so as not to separate them.

185 Empty Chairs

185 Empty Chairs, a ‘temporary’ and unofficial memorial by Christchurch artist Peter Majendie, were first installed on the first anniversary of the earthquake. The installation has had to move several times in the past decade as parts of the city have been rebuilt. Though intended to be temporary, due to overwhelming public support the 185 Empty Chairs have been reinstalled for a third time. They are now on the corner of Manchester and Kilmore streets at St Luke’s Vicarage, 20 minutes walk from Ara campus.