About Christchurch Heritage Tram Tour
A restored heritage tram rolls through the heart of Christchurch, passing leafy squares, colourful streets and striking new architecture. Beyond the windows, historic buildings stand beside bold contemporary spaces, revealing a city shaped by the past yet continually changing. Along the route, each landmark adds another chapter to the story of Christchurch.
The Story of This Place
The Christchurch Tramway opened on 4 February 1995 with a 2.5-kilometre central-city circuit and three restored tramcars. Services stopped for almost three years following the February 2011 earthquake before returning on a rebuilt route through the evolving city centre. Today, the fleet includes eight heritage tramcars, with original opening-day trams 11, 152 and 178 still operating on Christchurch streets.
The Experience of Visiting
Board a restored heritage tram and settle in for a sightseeing journey through central Christchurch. The route passes landmarks and visitor areas including New Regent Street, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, The Terrace, Riverside Market and Margaret Mahy Playground. Live commentary from the driver introduces Christchurch’s history and changing city centre as the tram travels between 18 stops along the route.
Natural Features
Although primarily an urban experience, the tram route offers glimpses of Christchurch’s greener spaces, including the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the Avon River / Ōtākaro. Mature trees, garden landscapes and leafy streets soften the central-city journey and reflect Christchurch’s long-standing identity as the Garden City.
Good to Know
- The full Christchurch Heritage Tram Tour circuit takes approximately 50 minutes and includes 18 stops throughout the central city.
- Trams generally operate every 10 to 20 minutes, and tickets remain valid for hop-on, hop-off travel throughout the day.
- The present tramway opened in 1995 with a 2.5-kilometre route and three restored tramcars.
Stories Shared Along the Way
The tram driver provides live commentary throughout the journey, sharing stories about Christchurch’s past alongside updates on the changing central city. Historic buildings, post-earthquake regeneration, public spaces and local landmarks are brought into focus as they appear beyond the windows.
Little-Known Facts
Christchurch’s heritage fleet includes restored tramcars that once carried passengers in Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Melbourne and Sydney.
Some tramcars travelled remarkable journeys before returning to passenger service. Tram 11 was withdrawn from service in Dunedin in 1953 and spent years as a farm storage shed before being recovered and restored. It later joined the Christchurch Tram fleet when the central-city tramway opened in 1995.
One Thing to Know
The Christchurch Heritage Tram Tour brings the city’s past and present together, carrying passengers aboard restored tramcars through historic streets and a continually evolving city centre.