Christchurch Adventure Park is one of the city’s key outdoor attractions, offering activities that range from downhill biking to high-altitude ziplining. Set on the Port Hills, it provides direct access to natural landscapes while giving visitors a choice of both calm and high-energy experiences. If you come for the trails, the chairlift ride or the zipline course, the park is designed for people who want to spend a day outdoors without leaving the city.
Christchurch Adventure Park Chairlift
The chairlift is the backbone of the park and serves multiple purposes. At over 1.8 kilometres long, it is one of the longest chairlifts in New Zealand. Riders use it to transport themselves and their bikes to the top of the hill, but many simply enjoy the ascent for its viewpoint over Christchurch, the coastline and the distant Southern Alps. The ride is slow enough to take in the terrain but high enough to Once at the top, visitors can choose between walking tracks, bike trails or heading straight to the zipline launch platform. Because the lift runs throughout the day, it works for casual sightseeing as well as repeat laps for downhill riders.
Christchurch Adventure Park Trails
The trail network is one of the largest in the country, offering routes for beginners through to experienced riders who prefer steeper gradients and technical features. Trails are maintained regularly, and each route is clearly graded so riders can choose according to their ability.
Beginner trails focus on smooth corners and manageable slopes. These are often used by families or people who want to get comfortable before attempting something more challenging. Intermediate tracks introduce faster sections, small jumps and tighter turns. Advanced routes are steeper, with bigger features and less margin for error.
Walking trails are also available, providing non-riders with a quieter way to explore the hillside. These tracks are well-signed and give access to lookouts without stepping onto bike-only routes.
Things to do in Christchurch
Christchurch Adventure Park fits well into a broader list of activities available throughout the city. For visitors building a full itinerary, the park can easily sit alongside other outdoor attractions such as mountain biking in Bottle Lake Forest, punting on the Avon River, or visiting the city’s museums and gardens.
The park’s most distinctive activity, however, is its ziplining. The four-line zipline course includes New Zealand’s highest and longest line, giving participants a fast, open-air ride over the Port Hills. Each line offers a different length and speed, with views stretching across the city to the ocean. A guide team handles safety equipment and briefing, so the experience is accessible even for first-timers. Sessions run multiple times per day, and the activity is suitable for a broad age range provided participants meet the weight requirements.
For those who prefer to stay closer to the ground, sightseeing on the chairlift or relaxing at the café are low-pressure alternatives. Families often split activities, with some members riding trails while others explore the walking routes or watch riders arrive at the base area.
Christchurch Adventure Park Cafe & Bar
The on-site café and bar is set near the base of the chairlift and is a practical stop before or after activities. The menu includes simple, filling options such as burgers, chips and cabinet food, alongside hot and cold drinks. The outdoor deck is one of its main features, giving a clear view of the chairlift and the surrounding hills. It’s a common meeting point for groups finishing a ride or waiting for zipline participants to return. Because the café is licensed, adults can order alcoholic drinks, making it suitable for relaxed gatherings in the afternoon or early evening.





