Ride the Peace Train

The Peace Train leaves from behind the kiosk in Christchurch Botanic Gardens and follows the loop pathway around the playground following the Avon / Ōtakaro River. 

It will run fortnightly every first and third Sunday of the month from spring 2022 until the end of April 2023. The train can’t operate in wet weather so event days will be cancelled if it’s raining. Keep an eye on the Council Facebook page(external link) for cancellations.

The train is a Wattman mini express ACS train, made in Canada and includes a wheelchair-accessible carriage.

Each trip takes approximately 8 minutes. The last ride of the day will leave at 1.45pm.

Operating dates 2022

The train runs from 10am to 2pm, weather permitting, on the following dates:

• Sunday 4 December
• Sunday 18 December - the train will be at the Christmas Show Parade(external link) at Canterbury Agricultural Park.

Operating dates 2023

The train runs from 10am to 2pm, weather permitting, on the following dates:

• Sunday 8 January
• Sunday 22 January 
• Sunday 5 February
• Sunday 19 February
• Sunday 5 March
• Sunday 19 March
• Sunday 2 April
• Sunday 16 April 

Taking the bus

The nearest bus stops are on Riccarton Avenue; with routes 3, 5, 80 and 86 stopping here.

Metroinfo(external link) has up-to-date bus information.

Parking

The Botanic Gardens has three-hour parking at Armagh Street and Riccarton Avenue.

• Riding the train can earn you Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi Children’s University(external link) credits.
• Take a five-minute walk through the Botanic Gardens to visit the World Peace Bell(external link).
• Find out more about Christchurch the City of Peace(external link).