A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Christchurch for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Canberra or Christchurch?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Canberra or Christchurch? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Canberra and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Christchurch?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Canberra than Christchurch, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Canberra is better known for its big city activities, while Christchurch is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Christchurch is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Canberra different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Christchurch and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Christchurch?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Christchurch.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Many visitors head to Christchurch specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Christchurch? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Canberra and Christchurch.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Dining out in Christchurch is an experience not to be missed. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Christchurch has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Christchurch is considered a top beach destination. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Christchurch?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Christchurch is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Christchurch is a very family-friendly destination. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Christchurch makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Christchurch. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Students?

Both Canberra and Christchurch are high quality destinations for students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Christchurch is very popular with students. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Is Canberra or Christchurch Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Canberra and Christchurch.

Canberra has some public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Canberra or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Christchurch Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Canberra or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Christchurch due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

Families should spend more time in Christchurch than Canberra. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Christchurch, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Christchurch than Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Christchurch that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Christchurch.

One day in Canberra or Christchurch?

In Canberra, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Christchurch offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Christchurch?

Canberra is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Christchurch is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Christchurch, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Christchurch?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Canberra. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Christchurch is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or Christchurch?

Canberra is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Christchurch is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Christchurch, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Christchurch.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Christchurch Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Christchurch, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Canberra or Christchurch?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Canberra or Christchurch in the Summer?

Both Christchurch and Canberra during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

Canberra is a little warmer than Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Christchurch. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Christchurch. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Canberra is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Canberra in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Christchurch. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Christchurch in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Christchurch. Many travelers come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Canberra is generally much warmer than Christchurch. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 11°C (52°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Christchurch. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Canberra is a little warmer than Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Christchurch. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Canberra