Riccarton is one of Christchurch's most important suburb hubs — a commercial and community centre on the western side of the city, roughly midway between the CBD and the airport. It has the city's main shopping mall, the famous Riccarton Sunday Market, a nationally significant ancient forest remnant, and a busy hospitality strip along Riccarton Road.
The suburb is also home to the University of Canterbury's former Ilam campus buildings and has a large international student population which adds to the diversity of food and retail options. Here's what to do when you're in Riccarton.
Riccarton Bush and Deans Cottage
The most significant thing in Riccarton — a remnant of the lowland kahikatea forest that once blanketed the Canterbury Plains. The 7.8-hectare reserve contains trees over 500 years old and a predator-proof fenced sanctuary. The boardwalk through the kahikatea forest is genuinely impressive — the scale of these ancient trees puts the surrounding suburbs in perspective. The neighbouring Deans Cottage (1843) is one of Canterbury's oldest buildings. Free to visit.
Riccarton Sunday Market — Riccarton Park Racecourse
One of the largest regular markets in the South Island, the Riccarton Sunday Market runs every Sunday at the Riccarton Park racecourse. Hundreds of stalls cover produce, clothing, crafts, food, and more. The farmers market section has genuine Canterbury producers. It's a classic Christchurch Sunday activity — arrive early for the best produce and breakfast from the food stalls.
Westfield Riccarton — Shopping
Westfield Riccarton is Christchurch's main indoor shopping centre. Post-earthquake it became even more central to the city's retail life and remains busy year-round. Major NZ and international retailers, a large food court, cinemas, and covered parking. Useful for everything practical and a good wet-weather fallback option when outdoor plans don't pan out.
Riccarton Road Food and Cafe Strip
Riccarton Road has a dense concentration of cafes, restaurants, and takeaways reflecting the suburb's diverse population. Good cheap Asian food, reliable cafes, bakeries, and several well-regarded restaurants. The strip is particularly good for affordable weekday lunches and has options that don't exist in the more gentrified parts of the city.
Hagley Park — Walking Distance
Hagley Park's western edge borders the Riccarton area, making it easily accessible on foot or by bike. The hospital end of Hagley has good walking paths and open fields. The full Hagley Park perimeter is 4.6km — a nice loop from the Riccarton end. The Botanic Gardens are a short cycle ride through the park from Riccarton.
Cinemas — Event Cinemas at Westfield
Event Cinemas inside Westfield Riccarton is one of the city's main cinema complexes — comfortable seats, good screens, and reliable programming. It's the go-to for new releases and blockbusters. The complex is easy to reach from across the city and the attached mall means you can eat before or after without venturing far.
Local Tips
- The Riccarton Sunday Market starts early — the best produce and breakfast food is gone by 10am.
- Riccarton Bush is free and takes about 45 minutes to do justice. Don't rush the boardwalk section.
- Riccarton Road traffic is heavy at peak times — walk or cycle if you're coming from the CBD.
- The food options on Riccarton Road are genuinely good and more affordable than the inner city — worth exploring.
- Westfield Riccarton has free parking but fills up on weekends — arrive early or use the multi-storey levels.
Get Personalised Recommendations
Ask @OpenLocallyNZBot on Telegram — describe what you're after and get instant local advice.
Chat with Open Locally