A dog-friendly day out with Christchurch’s only outdoor mystery puzzle tour
Bringing your dog along on holiday shouldn’t mean leaving them behind for the fun stuff. Southern Escape Tours’ Shadow of the Prism, a self-guided mystery puzzle tour through Christchurch’s city centre, is pet friendly. Your four-legged detective can help crack clues about the legendary Aoraki Prism right alongside you.
The tour is a 90 to 120 minute, 2.5km loop starting and finishing at Cathedral Square, weaving through the city’s most iconic landmarks, including New Regent Street and the Avon River. It also suits a dog well by nature of its route: the first half runs along green, open spaces where a dog can stretch its legs. The second half brings you to New Regent Street, lined with cafes and restaurants that spill onto outdoor seating along the street. Along the way there are dog-friendly cafes, restaurants and green spaces to break up the puzzle-solving, for both of you. Here’s your guide.
Where to eat and drink with your dog
Miro / 176 Oxford Terrace
Not long after the start of the tour, Miro sits in a beautifully restored 1930s heritage building overlooking the Avon, all art deco touches and open fires. Their dog-friendly outdoor terrace is a lovely, easy-going spot to grab a coffee and watch the river go by before the puzzle-solving gets underway.
Belle / Corner of New Regent Street and Armagh Street
A funky little micro-roastery and cafe on New Regent Street, walls and ceiling dense with eclectic art, where dogs are a regular sight. There’s always a water bowl available outside, so check out the friendly, dog-welcoming vibe while sipping a flat white and watching the trams roll past.
Coffee Lovers Cafe / 25 New Regent Street
A cosy, family-run cafe with dog-friendly outdoor tables right on the tram route with umbrellas up for sunny days. Check out their food too!
Casa Publica / 180 Armagh Street
With its South American flair, extensive rum list and buzzing atmosphere, Casa Publica is a great excuse to bring your dog along for a drink in the sun. Soak up one of Christchurch’s liveliest spots, but note their outdoor seating area is small and may be taken already!
OGB / 28 Cathedral Square
As the tour loops back towards the finish, OGB (short for Old Government Building) is housed in a grand heritage building right on Cathedral Square, and is an official dog-friendly establishment, complete with dog beer and water bowls on hand. A great way to celebrate solving the mystery, with a courtyard overlooking the square if you'd rather sit outside with your pup.
Sweet treats along New Regent Street
Rollickin’ / 35 New Regent Street
Christchurch’s cult-favourite gelato spot, handmade daily from organic milk, with a steady flow of dogs stopping by alongside their owners. Grab a scoop and find a spot on the outdoor seating to watch people go by.
Ice Cream Charlie / Victoria Square
A Christchurch institution since 1903, this ice cream van operates outdoors at Victoria Square. There’s no confirmed dog treat on the menu, but as an entirely outdoor, walk-up spot, it’s an easy stop to make with your dog in tow while you grab a cone.
Where to rest partway through
Around the midpoint of the tour, near the Edmonds Band Rotunda and Margaret Mahy Playground, you'll find open grass running alongside the Avon River. It’s a good spot to pause the puzzle-solving for a picnic and let your dog have a rest before continuing on. As with any Christchurch City Council reserve, keep your dog leashed unless the area is specifically signposted off-leash.
Plan your pet-friendly puzzle day
With a pet-friendly mystery tour as your excuse to explore, and this many dog-welcoming stops along the way, Shadow of the Prism makes for an easy, dog-approved day out in Christchurch. Grab the lead, book your tour, and get solving.