What’s open for the long weekend?
The hum of the tram will return to Christchurch’s central city when the service resumes tomorrow, joining a raft of major attractions reopening for the long weekend.
Christchurch Tramway chief executive Sue Sullivan said getting the trams back on track seemed like ‘‘the best thing to do’’, with drivers keen to return to work and life gradually returning to the city.
The tram will resume its normal operating hours – 10am to 4pm daily.
Its first journey will be tomorrow. The last tram of the day departs Cathedral Junction at 3pm.
Those planning to play tourist in their own city for Queen’s Birthday Weekend will be pleased to hear that several attractions will throw their doors open after being closed because of coronavirus.
Residents and visitors could enjoy a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, which plans to open on Saturday. Alternatively, history buffs could take a leisurely stroll through Canterbury Museum or Quake City – both reopened when New Zealand moved to alert level 2 on May 14. The museum is open from 9am to 5pm daily, and Quake City opens an hour later.
At nearby Hanmer Springs, the resort town’s bungy jumping, jet boating, quad biking, and clay bird shooting facilities will all reopen tomorrow. The popular hot pools opened this week, but all spaces are already booked out for tomorrow and Sunday.
Sullivan said she was thrilled to reopen the tram, and hoped getting tourist transport back up and running would encourage people to explore the central city and support local businesses.
Canterbury Museum director Anthony Wright said staff were excited to welcome visitors back into the building and hoped people would be keen to come back to the central city.
Margaret Mahy Playground, the Christchurch Adventure Park and some council recreation facilities have already reopened for those itching to let off some steam, but it might be time to dig out a rain jacket for any outdoor activities.
MetService is forecasting a cool, drizzly weekend, with tomorrow looking likely to be the best day to get some fresh air.
Despite the tramway reopening this weekend, several other Christchurch attractions will not be available until later in the year.
The gondola is scheduled to reopen on July 1, while punting on the Avon River will return when the weather warms up in September, and the Tramway Restaurant will reopen in November. All three attractions are undergoing maintenance, Sullivan said.
Tickets for the city tram can be bought through the Christchurch Attractions website, at the tram shop in Cathedral Junction, or on board. An adult pass costs $25, children under 15 ride free. There are 17 stops around the central city, and a full loop takes 50 minutes to complete.