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 our 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 2023

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

• Sunday 2 April
• Easter Sunday 9 April 

Special events

The Peace Train will be making a guest appearance at two events in North Hagley Park and will run in a loop around Albert Lake:

• Sunday 22 April, 4pm to 8pm, as part of Eid Festival
• Sunday 7 May, 1pm to 2pm, as part of the Interfaith Peace Train bike ride 

The train will take a break over winter and run again on the following dates:

• Sunday 3 September
• Sunday 17 September
• Sunday 1 October
• Sunday 15 October
• Sunday 5 November
• Sunday 19 November
• Sunday 3 December
• Sunday 17 December

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).