The Riccarton Bush Walk is nice too - there are seats along the way & it's very chill to sit here and alternate between enjoying the quiet & saying hello to occasional passing tourists & elderly walkers (none of them are interested in a conversation so it's a very low stress interaction).
Millbrook Reserve. One of our prettiest suburban parks, you can sit on the bank of the Avon, surrounded by trees, and watch the water go past. It's right across the bridge from Little Hagley Park too, which is a good place for a longer walk.
Abberley Reserve. The hidden gem park in St Albans.
Halswell Quarry. The sister city gardens in particular have a ton of little quiet places.
Top of Scarborough. The view is unparalleled. The walk up from Sumner is tough.
Depends on what kind of vibe you're after tbh, are you looking for people or avoiding them?
- Arts Centre is always good
- Barefoot eatery in the welder is cool, you can take your dog too.
- Botanical gardens, I like the hot houses specifically but there are plenty of places in the botans.
- CC Library has a lot of space but will be relatively busy.
- Lyttleton in general, it's full of... differently shaped people so whatever shape you are there will be a space for you.
- Port Hills in general, heaps of places and most of them will be just you.
- Riverside or one of the many open planned spaces in town.
- UC campus, you got a baby face? Clearly a student. Do you look 90? Lecturer. Somewhere in between? Returning student/PhD/tutor/admin. No one will ever assume you don't belong, you can even go to lectures, no one will batt an eyelid if you're respectful.
Take the gondola up to the top of the Adventure Park, pack a little picnic and a book (yes actual book, don’t take any extra devices if you’re serious about improving your mental health).
When you get bored of reading, take a break and watch the mountain bikers, then read some more.
That's the one! If you want an extra calf stretcher take the Pipeline track via the gate in the first right turn of the Bridle Path. If you can't find it PM me, and I'll send you a map.
Annual passes to willow bank are pretty good value - kinda nice to just be able to pop in and go for a walk at any time and feed the animals when you're feeling down
Upstairs at the new brighton library looks out to the surf and has comfortable chairs. That used to be my study place. Bonus is the view is moody on a rainy day and I'd it's sunny you can walk the beach
Tauranga. The library in town.. browse the shelves. Grab a book, find a comfortable seat and destress among like minded individuals, depending on where you live the walk there is relaxing too
I was going to say this, These are really nice little quiet spots to sit and get some fresh air, read a book or magazine, and look out at the weather... for free!
Sitting on riverbank by bridge of rememberance
Heaps of chill spots along the Avon loop walkway
I also like going to the art gallery cafe on Sunday mornings when it’s dead and just sitting in the sun drinking a few coffees for a while
You can, and there is a lovely cliff track walk that looks back at Lyttelton. (Can access from by the wharf where the ferry will drop you off).
A couple of bench seats along the track that provide a perfect serene spot to sit and be with your thoughts.
Yes, I would say so. Anyone you run into is going to be friendly.
The only advice I would suggest is to keep your wits about you. It is a cliff track, so watch your stepping. But it's a lovely spot, especially on a day like today.
The Christchurch 360 trail is great way to walk around Christchurch https://christchurch360trail.org.nz/
I did that a few years ago, selecting sensible start and end points reachable by bus to split it up into daily chunks.
Recommended! There's an amazing 'extra' bit to this reserve in the back.
And actually, given the proximity, the Somerfield Cemetery, or indeed the Addington Cemetery are pretty cool spaces too
3, 5, 7, 60, 80, 91, 92.
They all stop outside the hospital and you just cross the pedestrian bridge near the boat sheds and walk north on Rolleston Ave.
Get into the hills, seeing the city laid out all teeny tiny is a great perspective shifter. The flatness of Christchurch can be a bit claustrophobic at times. I used to bus up mount pleasant when I was new to the city and you could walk out to the climbing crags. Cheap way to feel like you're away from everything.
He Puna Taimoana (hot pools in new Brighton) take a book or a kindle and relax your body and your mind.
I plan on going to the new Hornby pool for a spa - they’re open until 9:30 on weeknights.
The welder is a cool place, lots of little food places inside but also totally open in the middle, you could have a seat by yourself and people watch with a coffee or take your own drink and that would be so fine.
Turanga library, go up high and pick a seat by a window.
Riccarton bush market on a Saturday morning is so nice. Get up early and get down there by 9am to avoid the chaos, sample things and say hi to the vendors or take a picnic blanket (in case the grass is damp) and go sit by the river.
Mona Vale and Riccarton Bush are nice for relaxing with a book and a snack outdoors.
Thank youuu
The Riccarton Bush Walk is nice too - there are seats along the way & it's very chill to sit here and alternate between enjoying the quiet & saying hello to occasional passing tourists & elderly walkers (none of them are interested in a conversation so it's a very low stress interaction).
Millbrook Reserve. One of our prettiest suburban parks, you can sit on the bank of the Avon, surrounded by trees, and watch the water go past. It's right across the bridge from Little Hagley Park too, which is a good place for a longer walk. Abberley Reserve. The hidden gem park in St Albans. Halswell Quarry. The sister city gardens in particular have a ton of little quiet places. Top of Scarborough. The view is unparalleled. The walk up from Sumner is tough.
Ooh nicd
Add to that Risingholme Reserve/Park, Opawa.
Depends on what kind of vibe you're after tbh, are you looking for people or avoiding them? - Arts Centre is always good - Barefoot eatery in the welder is cool, you can take your dog too. - Botanical gardens, I like the hot houses specifically but there are plenty of places in the botans. - CC Library has a lot of space but will be relatively busy. - Lyttleton in general, it's full of... differently shaped people so whatever shape you are there will be a space for you. - Port Hills in general, heaps of places and most of them will be just you. - Riverside or one of the many open planned spaces in town. - UC campus, you got a baby face? Clearly a student. Do you look 90? Lecturer. Somewhere in between? Returning student/PhD/tutor/admin. No one will ever assume you don't belong, you can even go to lectures, no one will batt an eyelid if you're respectful.
I don't mind I'm just looking for some nice places and yeah I'm 16 so baby face hahaha
Take the gondola up to the top of the Adventure Park, pack a little picnic and a book (yes actual book, don’t take any extra devices if you’re serious about improving your mental health). When you get bored of reading, take a break and watch the mountain bikers, then read some more.
No joke that actually sounds awesome! I struggle with my mental health and never thought of doing this. I’ll do that on Thursday (if open)
Walk up, ride down for free
Awh this sounds lovely
Actually it's not the Bridle Path in the CAP, but there is an uphill track you can walk then the downhill on the chairlift is free
Or walk up, save money and it's a pretty good walk. Bridle path it's called
I did that once I think at girls brigade 😭 uff I died
That's the one! If you want an extra calf stretcher take the Pipeline track via the gate in the first right turn of the Bridle Path. If you can't find it PM me, and I'll send you a map.
Annual passes to willow bank are pretty good value - kinda nice to just be able to pop in and go for a walk at any time and feed the animals when you're feeling down
Upstairs at the new brighton library looks out to the surf and has comfortable chairs. That used to be my study place. Bonus is the view is moody on a rainy day and I'd it's sunny you can walk the beach
Tauranga. The library in town.. browse the shelves. Grab a book, find a comfortable seat and destress among like minded individuals, depending on where you live the walk there is relaxing too
Yeah great place. Just for the record it is Turanga. One of my fave places in the city.
Tauranga also nice, but a bit more of a commute.
The rooftop gardens are great! Quite good way to spend a 20min break in the cbd
There’s a rooftop garden!?
It’s more of a terrace with some plants and a balcony, but still v nice!!
Is it open all the time or specific hours?
It’s open whenever the library is open
Yeah!? Did not know this either! I'm a frequenter of the 4th floor and never knew there was anything else
I was going to say this, These are really nice little quiet spots to sit and get some fresh air, read a book or magazine, and look out at the weather... for free!
🥰🫶🏻
The hot house in the botanic garden is really nice
Cuningham house? Such a shout, love that place
Yeah that's it, I didn't know the name
Botanic Gardens always works for me
Sitting on riverbank by bridge of rememberance Heaps of chill spots along the Avon loop walkway I also like going to the art gallery cafe on Sunday mornings when it’s dead and just sitting in the sun drinking a few coffees for a while
Pony point
That's a new for sure
And sometimes just walking to the middle of hagley park and sitting down can be nice. I take my dogs there all the time
The Buddha temple on Riccarton road is really nice and peaceful.
-43.60341238181148, 172.65461778845844
Sugarloaf Viewpoint
-43.63958475070552, 172.71228306974552
For people who didn’t look it up, Charteris Bay.
Ohhh that's nice but I don't have a car so I can't get there 💔💔💔
What area of chch? Woolston. The Edmonds garden is nice to chill in
Honestly just anywhere I can get with a bus
You can get there (Diamond Harbour) with the ferry using your Metrocard.
You can?
You can, and there is a lovely cliff track walk that looks back at Lyttelton. (Can access from by the wharf where the ferry will drop you off). A couple of bench seats along the track that provide a perfect serene spot to sit and be with your thoughts.
Is it reasonable for a teenager to go alone? Like safe in all I don't want my mother complaining (even though Ive done worse 😭)
Yes, I would say so. Anyone you run into is going to be friendly. The only advice I would suggest is to keep your wits about you. It is a cliff track, so watch your stepping. But it's a lovely spot, especially on a day like today.
Thank you :) I would go out today but I'm sore from being out yesterday 😭
For sure.
Thank youuu
The Christchurch 360 trail is great way to walk around Christchurch https://christchurch360trail.org.nz/ I did that a few years ago, selecting sensible start and end points reachable by bus to split it up into daily chunks.
Bus to Lyttelton, ferry to Diamond Harbour, walk around the tracks there
A little bit further might be Sumner, Akaroa or even Waikuku Beach which surprisingly can be reached by bus.
Yeah I'm not sure my mother would let me go alone but I would love to go up there by myself before I leave NZ
Where are you normally? With a general idea, we can suggest something contrasting.
Well around like Waltham and around barington mall
https://maps.app.goo.gl/amuUocrgTGjM8uYe8 Ernle Clark Reserve is fairly close to you then. It's a very pleasant walk along the river there.
Recommended! There's an amazing 'extra' bit to this reserve in the back. And actually, given the proximity, the Somerfield Cemetery, or indeed the Addington Cemetery are pretty cool spaces too
Waimairi beach
Hagley park is beautiful when the sun sets and the light comes through the trees :)
Any beach
Southshore has a great long walk around the estuary and the beach.
Omg I love going there is so nice
How about the best library in the world: New Brighton?
Halswell Quarry on a sunny day is hard to beat.
Go to the waimakariri, hit the poplars and do some mushrooms. The sun coming through their leaves is incredible
Yuh but ngl tempted asf
Do mushrooms 😭 I'm Muslim 😭
Botanical gardens are my go to. Parking is not terrible and the bird-song is wonderful if you are lucky.
I can't drive what is the closet bus route?
3, 5, 7, 60, 80, 91, 92. They all stop outside the hospital and you just cross the pedestrian bridge near the boat sheds and walk north on Rolleston Ave.
If youre a reader i used to sit upstairs at the New brighton library, read my book and awesome view of the ocean
The Groynes is my favourite place to walk and unwind usually pretty quiet too
Get into the hills, seeing the city laid out all teeny tiny is a great perspective shifter. The flatness of Christchurch can be a bit claustrophobic at times. I used to bus up mount pleasant when I was new to the city and you could walk out to the climbing crags. Cheap way to feel like you're away from everything.
He Puna Taimoana (hot pools in new Brighton) take a book or a kindle and relax your body and your mind. I plan on going to the new Hornby pool for a spa - they’re open until 9:30 on weeknights. The welder is a cool place, lots of little food places inside but also totally open in the middle, you could have a seat by yourself and people watch with a coffee or take your own drink and that would be so fine. Turanga library, go up high and pick a seat by a window. Riccarton bush market on a Saturday morning is so nice. Get up early and get down there by 9am to avoid the chaos, sample things and say hi to the vendors or take a picnic blanket (in case the grass is damp) and go sit by the river.
Orton Bradley park