International passes
All overseas visitors - anyone who isn’t a resident of NZ - qualify for the international pass rate. This includes your WSDC Jack and Jill entry.
What to do while you’re here:
In the city
- Christchurch Adventure Park is the place for thrillseekers, with ziplining and walk and mountain bike tracks.
- Visit the Antigua Boatshed to kayak down the Avon River, or go punting for a guided tour with a bit of history.
- Jump on the Christchurch Tram for an inner-city tour on a beautifully restored heritage tram. At certain times you can also add on lunch or dinner!
- See penguins and huskies, ride a hagglund, and experience an Antarctic storm at the International Antarctic Centre near the airport.
30 min - 2 hours drive away from Christchurch - perfect for day trips or weekend stays
- Mt Hutt ski field - for the avid skiers, this is our closest ski and snowboarding resort. And you’ll be visiting in winter, so it’s perfect timing!
- Hanmer Springs is a small alpine village, perfect for a day trip or overnight stay, with a popular thermal pool and spa.
- Akaroa is a small French-inspired town in the heart of an extinct volcano, offering food, shopping, and sightseeing.
3 - 5 hours drive away from Christchurch - perfect for short trips away
- Tekapo is a township on the edge of a lake in the Southern Alps mountain range. Tekapo is a ‘dark sky sanctuary’, and a popular activity here is stargazing at the observatory.
- Hokitika on the West Coast is an old goldrush era town famous for its bold sunsets. Take a pounamu or gold rush tour, see glow worms in the dell, and walk through the Hokitika Gorge.
- Oamaru is the South Island’s steampunk HQ, and also boasts two penguin colonies and stunning Victorian architecture.
6+ hours drive - perfect as part of a longer road trip
- Milford Sound - the quintessential New Zealand sightseeing experience, through one of the South Island’s largest fjords. We’re not kidding when we say it’s best seen while it’s raining.
- Queenstown - world class food and wine, skiing, walking, and stunning scenery. It’s a popular tourist spot, so be prepared to pay tourist prices - we recommend staying in Arrowtown, about 20 minutes away.
- The Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island offer a range of accommodation options close to town or more remote, but all set in the beautiful surrounds of ancient sunken valleys. A great stop for wine enthusiasts!
International passes
What our crew recommend in Christchurch:
- Darryn - the He Puna Taimoana hot pools overlooking New Brighton beach are a must-do. Their ‘Sunrise soak’ sessions sell out fast, but are worth it!
- Keighlee - The Tannery in Woolston is a great boutique shopping centre, with a bunch of good food places, kiwi-made clothing and gift shops, and a couple of great upscale op-shops!
- Zoe - the Gondola is great for stunning views over the peninsula, plus there’s a cafe and small museum at the top.
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Getting here
The closest airport is Christchurch Airport (airport code CHC), which offers domestic and international flights. You may need to transit through Auckland, airport code AKL, which is a 1.5 hour flight away.
Accomodation
The venue has attached accommodation at Hotel Give.
Use ‘CODESWING’ for 10% off bookings between 20-25 August.
Transport
To get to the venue from the airport, take Bus 8 (Lyttelton via City and Ara) from the airport to Rolleston Ave near Gloucester Street (stop 52927). All Christchurch buses offer contactless payments compatible with Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Wise cards etc.
For more bus information, check out the Christchurch Metro website.
Ubers and taxis are readily available in most areas of the city.
Christchurch weather
August is winter in Otautahi Christchurch.
The average high in August is 12°C / 54°F, and the low is 3°C / 37°F. Bring warm layers, especially if you’ll be outside at night. The ground can be damp in the morning and at night, so consider bringing a pair of outdoor shoes to avoid tracking moisture into the venue.
The flu and other seasonal illnesses can be around, and we encourage you to take the precautions you need to feel safe. Flu vaccinations are available at most pharmacies, and they usually cost around $40 NZD.
Currency
We use the New Zealand Dollar.
Almost everywhere you go accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. NZD is also available on Wise cards. Most ATMs take Visa and Mastercards and dispense
If you prefer cash, currency conversion is available in Christchurch Airport. There’s also a currency converter shop a 10-minute walk away from the Shakedown venue - just type ‘Travel Money’ into Google Maps.
SIM cards and WiFi
Kogan Mobile is a prepay SIM card provider, fully owned by and on the network of one of our major telecomms companies - so you’ll get excellent coverage wherever you go.
Simcorner offers SIMs for the exact amount of time time you’re here, with no recurring payments.
Free WiFi is available in many places, including libraries and cafes.
Apps and websites
- NZeTA website - you’ll need to fill out some pre-arrival information before you land here.
- Google maps is your best bet at navigating the city and further afield.
- Gaspy app shows you the best fuel prices near you - perfect for stocking up before a roadie.
- MetroGo app helps you plan public transport.
- Metservice is the best website for weather.
- The Department of Conservation has details on walks all over New Zealand.
Have a question that isn’t covered here? We’d love to hear from you!
Livestream
Friends and family want to watch you? We’ll be livestreaming the event on our Twitch channel.
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