5 must-dos in Christchurch this winter

Hey, you! Yes, you! Winter is no excuse to retreat to your home, not when you live in the wonderland that is Ōtautahi Christchurch. Here are Cityscape's top five things to do this season.

1: Get on a Night zipline tour

Wrap up and prepare for an adrenaline hit. Thrill-seekers can now do Christchurch Adventure Park’s zipline tour at night. The two-and-a-half-hour guided tour involves a chairlift to the top with the twinkling lights of Christchurch as a backdrop, then four ziplines back down, including New Zealand’s highest zipline, and a one-kilometre dark zip over and through the forest.

2: Enjoy a winter brew

Beer isn't just for the hot days! Try a soul-warming West Coast Red IPA at the Three Boys Brewery in Ferry Road. If you swing by on a Friday afternoon you can join some foodie fun – a different food truck or local eatery sets up shop at the brewery each week so you'll neverget bored. Other great winter beer drops include the Three Boys Oyster Stout and the Three Boys Strawberry Kombucha.

3: Get in peak shape

Take advantage of the high-tech training regimes at Vertex Athletic so you're ready to hit the raod, trails or mountains running this spring. Vertex Athletic is home to New Zealand's only altitude simulation room, letting you train at the equivalent of 5000m above sea level, while never leaving the facility in Moorhouse Avenue. The team also offer a range of classes and packages guided by professional trainers to give you the best athletic advantage.

4: Spruce up your wardrobe

Hit the fashion pages in Cityscape magazine or our online fashion stories and Virtual High Street for inspiration, tips, and must-have winter items. Hot items this winter include plaid coats, patterned dresses and unique sneakers for the ladies, and for the men there are some sweet blazers, casual shirts, and retro styles in play. Don't miss our top tips from fashion gurus Lou Heller and Karl Clausen.

5: Hit the dance floor

Wondering where the world-famous-in-Ōtautahi Dance-O-Mat has gone? Worry not! It's got a brand new location in Manchester Street and will be opening this month. For those not in the know, this legendary project by Gap Filler provides a (literal) platform for anyone to have a spontaneous public dance party by putting $2 in a converted washing machine and connecting a phone or MP3 player via bluetooth or headphone jack to crank some sounds. The original location in Gloucester Street has been cleared out to make room for The Court Theatre's new building in the central city.

Night Zipline CHristchurch Adventure Park

Christchurch Adventure Park

Three Boys West Coast Red IPA
Vertex Athletic

Vertex Athletic

Penny Sage Robin Dress from Infinite Definite

Penny Sage Robin Dress from Infinite Definite

Dance-O-Mat

Dance-O-Mat