Over the rolling Port Hills in Christchurch, you’ll find the eccentric suburb of Port Lyttelton. This is a place where cosy houses teeter on steep streets and the weekend farmers market brings London Street alive with the colourful characters who call this side of town home. Lyttelton was historically known as the ‘gateway to Canterbury’ for colonial settlers who came to the bustling port back in the 1700s. With a love for music, food and culture, the port suburb lays claim to some of the country’s current music stars - Aldous Harding, Nadia Reid, and Marlon Williams to name a few. With a passion for community, local produce, and doing things their own way, any Lyttelton dweller will be quick to tell you this is one of Christchurch’s best-kept secrets.

Encompassing Merivale and St Albans, City North in Christchurch is chock full of chic spots to get some retail therapy or a caffeine fix. Fancy a wine or a bite? City North has you covered there, too. Dating back to 1851, it's an area with plenty of history, and a wide range on offer for anyone venturing just outside the Four Aves. Easily reached by bike, bus, or on foot, make your way to City North and check out what's on offer.

Named for its position at the bottom edge of the city's main centre, Christchurch's South Town offers a funky mix of eateries and shops. Made up of a collection of boutique cafés, bars and workspaces, the area has seen a massive renewal since the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. An ambitious group of young owner/operators have flocked to the area to combine forces and bring a bit of quirk to the centre city’s southern suburb. If it’s coffee you’re after, this is the place to come. Those who excel at roasting have set up camp here and are followed religiously by those who can’t start the day without a cup of joe.

Named after its geographical positioning in Christchurch’s CBD (Saint Asaph, Lichfield, and Tuam), SALT District is dubbed the city's most alternative neighbourhood. Here you’ll meet a mishmash of interesting characters making heritage buildings, multi-purpose containers, and mural-splashed laneways their home. Things are done differently on this turf, from the way the coffee is brewed (delicious that is) and how menus are designed (100% local) to the creative possibilities offered by tattoo parlours, thrift shops, and art studios. If you’re looking for a neighbourhood to unashamedly express yourself in, this is it.