About Us
Walk Christchurch is one of the city’s top visitor experiences, operated by a charitable organisation and run by a group of local volunteer walking guides who are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and experienced.
Sharing interesting stories of our unique city through scheduled walks, customised walks and private group walks.
Small group guided walking tours of central ÅŒtautahi Christchurch, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, and the cultural precinct of ÅŒtautahi Christchurch. Tours can range from 1 - 10 people.
Guides are experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic local volunteers who know and love their city. You will hear about:
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Recent events - because they lived through them
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History and culture - because they belong here
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New attractions and hidden gems - because they’re always out and about
Our Story
43 Years of Walking Tours
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In 1982, Jameson hung a yellow wooden sign off a fence next to Christ Church Cathedral in Cathedral Square, and began Christchurch Personal Guiding Service (later renamed Walk Christchurch).
Jameson was well-placed to lead walking tours, with deep family roots in the city.
His grandfather was Harry Ell, a Member of Parliament and driving force behind the building of Summit Road and scenic reserves on Christchurch’s Port Hills.
Jameson’s one-man band soon expanded, with the yellow sign replaced by ticket kiosks in Cathedral Square and at the Botanic Gardens. It was supported by
more guides, many who were members of the Historic Places Trust.
After the 2010-11 Canterbury Earthquakes, Walk Christchurch was one of very few organisations allowed to guide people through the heavily damaged central city.
In 2021, Walk Christchurch shifted its ticketing to visitor services at The Arts Centre.
In 2025, Walk Christchurch formally became part of The Arts Centre’s operations,
and its profits go towards the conservation of the site.
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Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre – Home to Walk Christchurch
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New Zealand’s largest collection of Category 1 listed historic buildings,
spanning an entire central city block.
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The first of the 22 Gothic Revival buildings was built in 1877 forming Canterbury College (now University of Canterbury) and the city’s first secondary schools – Girls’ High and Boys’ High.
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Due to role expansion, the education providers had all left the site by 1975,
and by 1978, The Arts Centre was established.
In 2010–11, devastating earthquakes struck Canterbury, forcing the site to close temporarily for restoration.
Today, The Arts Centre is dedicated to fostering the arts, culture, education, and creativity. An independent charitable trust that is the guardian – kaitiaki – of this cultural space/he tangata.