Dad and daughter fun in the city
With his newly minted teen in tow, James Croot spends a weekend as a tourist in his home city, eating, shopping, and chilling.
We wanted to celebrate our oldest daughter reaching her teenage years and the end of her intermediate schooling. Mum had already taken her on a weekend of llama trekking and whale watching in Kaiko¯ ura, but what was best to do for funfilled daddy-daughter adventures? After working out our shared loves, we decided on a staycation. A chance to explore our own city at our own pace.
Saturday morning: Lyttelton
We had made the occasional visit out through the tunnel to the port side suburb’s weekly market, but the morning’s glorious sunshine made it an essential first stop.
Picking our way through the crowds, we checked out the eclectic range of food and craft stalls, while letting the sights, sounds and smells envelop us. Picking up a couple of items for those left at home, we eschewed the culinary delights this time, but only because we had bigger plans. Lyttelton Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 10am-1pm, London St; lyttelton.net.nz/farmers-market
Lunchtime: Glamour Cake
Cultivating an almost religious following over the past few years, baker Bree Scott’s mouthwatering creations attract customers from all over the city.
While the pies, cakes and slices are hard to resist, we thought it important to sample the famous doughnuts and buns.
I plumped for a Nutella creation, while my sweet-toothed companion went for a traditional jam, cream and pink-iced delight. Both were filling and moreish.
8 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton. Mondays to Fridays, 7am to 4pm, and Saturdays, 7am to 2pm; facebook.com/breeglamourcake
Early afternoon: Christchurch Gondola
Heading back through the tunnel, it was the perfect day to check out a view of our beloved home from above. Enjoying the smooth ride up the gondola, we tried to spot our house, and reflected on how the city has changed over the past few years.
At the top, we checked out the view back over Banks Peninsula as well, and picked up a bargain of a winter hat in the sales bin at the tourist shop.
10 Bridle Path Rd, Heathcote Valley; christchurchattractions.nz
Mid-afternoon: He Puna Taimoana
One of the city’s newest attractions, the New Brighton Hot Pools opened last year, and it’s already proved to be a hit. Next to a revitalised playground in the once famous seaside suburb, this could well be the drawcard it so badly needs.
Prospective patrons need to book a two-hour session, which has the advantage of limited numbers during the visit, but the downside of a wait if you happen to turn up early. Fortunately, on this day, the Saturday New Brighton Seaside Market was still in full swing, so we checked out some of the local wares, before heading in for our swim.
With a cool sea breeze inviting us to dip lower into the warmer enclosures’ embrace, we drifted and relaxed, occasionally rousing to sample each of the four pools’ varied temperatures.
A highlight, especially for my teenage charge, was the small plunge pool, just large enough for one person to drop straight into a bracing 10 degrees Celsius,
before rushing back to warmer waters. 195 Marine Pde, New Brighton; hepunataimoana.co.nz
Early evening: Catnap Cafe
A popular destination for us since it opened in July 2018, Christchurch’s first cat cafe had to be part of our weekend (despite us having a beloved 16-year-old blue point birman at home). Run in partnership with Cat Rescue Christchurch, it is home to a variety of cats all looking for a forever home.
In the meantime, their temporary accommodation at Catnap provides them with plenty of love and entertainment. Some of the cat towers and climbing equipment has to be seen to be believed.
This visit is outside regular hours, but it’s for one of the many innovative events the cafe owners have instigated over the past couple of years (which also include yoga sessions, board games and quiz nights). Tonight we’re settling in to see one of my favourite movies, Gremlins.
As the lights dim and the popcorn and hot chocolates are served, the cats come out to play or cuddle, with a couple even bewitched by the flickering light and the antics of Gizmo and co on the big screen. 391 Colombo St, Sydenham; catnapcafe.co.nz
Mid-evening: Rollickin Gelato
Movie completed, what better way to round off the night than a sweet treat from the city’s most famous icecream establishment.
Of its two inner-city locations, we sample the newest, smartly situated in the heart of Cashel Mall.
Since it’s approaching dusk on a summery Saturday, the place is heaving, but we manage to find a spot beside an adjacent playground and lap up our delicious frozen confections – Raspberry Beret for her, Hokey Tokey Pokey for me. 98 Cashel St; rollickin.co.nz
Overnight: The Muse Hotel
One of Christchurch’s newest accommodation providers, this Manchester St establishment more than lives up to its boast of being an ‘‘art hotel’’.
Glorious works envelop almost every wall space of the seven-storey inner-city location. Its vibrant interior belies its former life as The Canterbury Terminating Building Society.
More than happy with our comfy, inviting surrounds, we both quickly drift off to sleep, readying ourselves
for more adventures in the morning. 159 Manchester St; musehotel.co.nz
Breakfast: Riverside Market
Lunches had already been sampled from the city’s new culinary jewel, but we were keen to see what we could find suitable for earlier in the day.
We were not disappointed. After a careful look around all the options, we decided the Bohemian Bakery’s pastry selection could not be ignored.
96 Oxford Tce; riverside.nz
Morning: Cashel Mall
Armed with birthday vouchers and cash from months earlier, it was declared time to hit the shops. Cue a trawl through clothing stores – chain and boutique, explorations down the city’s gorgeous new laneways and a visit to the city’s grand old lady, Ballantynes.
Lunch: Ballantynes Tea Rooms
With the ground floor eatery out of action this Sunday, there was initial panic as the prospect of partaking in the department store’s famous salmon sandwiches looked bleak. Fortunately, a visit to the basement revealed the much-loved staple was also on offer there, so while the salmon-lover’s craving was sated, I took the opportunity to try Ballantynes’ take on the cheese roll.
While not quite up to the standard of Dunedin’s Cowell’s Coffee Shop of my youth (in particular, it lacked the right butter consistency), it was still a tasty morsel that hit the spot.
Lower Ground Floor, Ballantynes, Lichfield St; ballantynes.co.nz/the-tearooms
Early Afternoon: EntX
Our final destination for our weekend was the city’s newest cinema complex, EntX, Hoyts’ state-of-the-art South Island flagship.
With recliner seating and impressive sound and visuals, we allowed ourselves a couple of hours of escapism and an enjoyable end to our inter-generational weekend together.
617 Colombo St; entx.co.nz
The writer and his daughter’s visits to He Puna Taimoana and The Muse Hotel were made with the assistance of ChristchurchNZ.
This story as produced as part of an editorial partnership with ChristchurchNZ.