No Time Machines Needed
At These Heritage Destinations
Imagine a world where time travel existed. We could watch history unfold, relive our favourite memories or catch a glimpse of the future.
Time machines might not be a real thing, but we guarantee these Central South Island destinations will make you feel like you just stepped out of one.
Starting from Ōtautahi Christchurch, take a trip back in time for a history lesson like never before, from replica gold mining towns to New Zealand’s largest collection of Category 1 heritage buildings.
The Arts Centre, Christchurch
The Arts Centre is home to the country’s largest collection of Category 1 heritage buildings, each with its own story to tell. It was Christchurch’s first university, and now it’s full of galleries, museums, boutique retailers and eateries. Let the iconic landmark transport you back 150 years as you walk among its gothic revival architecture.
Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch
From the smell of a coal range to the sound of a tram rattling past you, discover what life was like for some of Christchurch’s earliest European residents at Ferrymead Heritage Park. It’s as close as you can get to a functioning early-1900s Edwardian township complete with restored cottages and businesses reflecting the era. The park is also home to New Zealand’s first public railway which opened in 1863.
Akaroa, Banks Peninsula
With a rich tapestry of French and Māori culture, exploring the streets of Akaroa is like being in a real-life postcard. The picturesque Banks Peninsula town is nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano overlooking sparkling turquoise waters. Take a guided walk among the town’s French architecture and discover how history shaped Akaroa into the destination it is today.
Credit: Alicia Ulrich
Shantytown Heritage Park, West Coast
This replica town lives on the site of gold rush and sawmilling history. Surrounded by a regenerative native rainforest, Shantytown is a recreated 1900s pioneer town born out of the region’s gold rushes of the 1860s. Ride on a vintage steam train, browse through the village shops or get lucky and pan for your own gold like a true West Coast local of the 19th century.
Denniston, West Coast
Sitting 518 metres above sea level on a steep incline railway, Denniston’s magnificent coastal views are just as incredible as its history. It was the country’s largest producing coal mine for a century, and one of the most difficult and isolated towns to live in for miners and their families. Discover how Denniston’s residents lived life on the edge, and why the high-quality coal was worth the extreme living conditions.
