Quake City

A great experience learning about the 2010/2011 earthquakes which struck Christchurch, informative videos played throughout the museum and lots of information to read while walking around. They have a wide range of recovered artefacts and building materials to view. Friendly staff on site to help. Toilets halfway round the exhibition. Our only note was that is quite small. However very informative.

I’d definitely make this your first stop in Christchurch! It is an eye-opening experience on the earthquake history of the city. The city risen from its ashes like the Phoenix! It definitely gives you a deep appreciation for the time, money and effort the New Zealand people have put back into their community. We really enjoyed our chat with the curator and over all experience!

Quake City is very well organised and set up to provide stories, new clips and interactive displays for the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes. There is plenty of emotion and plenty of learning in each display and the shear size of destruction is astounding. As a geotechnical engineer, the soil liquefaction displays were incredible!

I was in Christchurch in August 2025, visiting from Wellington, this has been my first time visiting since the big earthquake, I knew and remembered how bad things were down here. But walking through Quake city really opened my eyes even more, the videos I watched and and so many pictures I came across, things were so much more worst down there, I’m really glad I made my way in here it’s a awesome place of history !!! Also Christchurch has come a long way since the earthquake,it’s awesome city

Came on first day of 2026. Worth visiting to know about earthquakes and impact to Christchurch, especially the most recent and devastating one in 2011. Haha, if I had known there have been so many earthquakes in recent times I may not have come to the south island for 2 weeks :) The entry fee is slightly high for a 'museum' like this. But then overall it is not a bargain to visit NZ.

Overall, a pretty good exhibition, but I don't feel it was worth the $25 entry fee. The main attraction is a 90 minute documentary of survivor testimonials, but the seating is limited and there is no dedicated theatrette, so people are constantly walking through the area.

Well curated museum telling the story of earthquakes in the area in general and the worst ones from 2010 and 2011. There are stories from victims and loads of images of the devastation plus interesting facts why Christchurch got hit so badly and what the learnings were. Artefacts are on exhibition like the spire from the cathedral. Very interesting and should be on the sightseeing list.

Both scientific and emotionally moving. The accounts from the survivors may cause nightmares among some kids, possibly adults as well. There is a liquefaction simulator that is really interesting from a scientific point of view. Def worth a visit.

Relics, artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes that struck Canterbury and Christchurch. Much about how the city was damaged and a tremendous amount that shows the response and heroism that occurred afterwards. Lots of science and lots of video. The liquefaction demo was one of my favorite parts and it was interesting to see the spire from the Christchurch Cathedral. Absolutely worth a stop. [Review 386 of 2024 - 39 in New Zealand - 21419 overall]

I don't know how I don't remember this earthquake. The museum isn't as big as I thought it would be, but very full of interesting artifacts and visuals about the 2010 and 2011 quakes. Live news and security footage are on a loop to watch as you walk around. Pieces of salvaged debris are on display. There are interactive areas to demonstrate liquefaction and to feel what the quake felt like. Twelve people were interviewed on their experiences that day and run continuous. Until you wander through, you don't realize the little details the quake upset. Potable water. Toilets. Saving family heirlooms. How much of the city was destroyed, and still hasn't recovered yet.

The city Earthquake Museum was filled with heroic stories, artifacts, iconic relics and a cathedral spire. Admission is $16 for adults & it is reduced for children. There was a small gift shop with books, postcards & tee shirts.

Really enjoyed this museum which displays the damage invoked by the earthquakes in 2011. We particularly enjoyed the time line text and images documenting a lot of events relating to the disaster. The stories of individuals who stepped up and helped those who were injured and compromised during the quake were the most inspiring parts of the museum. We were surprised we lingered there for almost an hour, as it is not a huge museum, but the quality and the emotional images speak for themselves. Well worth the time and money spent.

The Quake City museum mostly focuses on the devastating earthquakes that rattled Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011. It's one of those specialty museums that is interesting and zeroes into the timeline of the events surrounding the community and courage for all those impacted by the Christchurch New Zealand earthquakes. You would hear the stories of heroism and bravery in the aftermath of the tremors that destroyed a city. After visiting Christchurch during a recent trip in September 2018, the city itself is regaining its strength and prosperity that it used to have. I was here on a whim and decided to go in. While the admission prices were certainly not cheap, it was informative and educational to learn about what unfolded here 7 years ago. It's pretty neat that the city has risen since then and it's not been that long. The museum isn't that large and is filled with photos, stories, relics, and heroics. How the community had banned together in the aftermath and in the subsequent years to rebuild Christchurch and make it the city anew. It's interesting to read up on what makes each relic from the earthquakes valued and important to the stories. I learned a lot about the Christchurch New Zealand earthquakes from visiting this museum that I didn't know previously. The Quake City museum is a wealth of knowledge and a source of inspiration that reminds us all that courage and bravery in the face of uncertainty can motivate and inspire greatness in everyone. It's awesome that the city of Christchurch has since risen from this catastrophe and continues to rise from it till this day. The overall experience here at the Quake City museum was very insightful and inspiring. The stories of heroism did make me emotional at bit and the sense of community helps revitalize even the darkest of moments. Strength and unity makes it through the difficult times and you know what, it is worth it! I have allotted about an hour here, but ended up spending 2 hours before I had to leave since they closed at 5pm. As mentioned earlier, they charge admission fees of $20 for adults and smaller fees for children unaccompanied by adults, students, and seniors. I had cash on me at the time, so I entered the museum with that. I wasn't sure if they accepted credit cards, as the yelp business page didn't mentioned it. As for parking options, best bet would be to find street parking nearby or parking garages / lots where you can find it and walk to the museum. The museum is located at 299 Durham North in the heart of Downtown Christchurch New Zealand. I'm sure Christchurch Public transportation can get you here to the Quake City museum, as well as taking an Uber or even walking it. Christchurch is a walkable City. For me, I learned a lot and would like to recommend coming here to learn more about the heroism displayed by the first responders and those who were impacted by the earthquakes. You learn about yourself through adversity and tribulations. These stories will help you get inspired and reaffirm the belief that the human spirit is amazing and awesome. Give yourself 2 hours here and you'll have a greater appreciation for what happened here in Christchurch in 2011- present. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. It reminds me of 9/11/2011 World Trade Center, but on a smaller scale. 5.0 stars for the ambiance and educational factor. Support local! A

Really good for an hour or so. A lot of information on the wall which I can never be bothered reading with my short attention span. There is a continuous interview that runs on a big TV, of people who survived and have a story to tell so that was more my thing. $20 for adults and kids enter free so fairly budget friendly for families.

Neat and interesting museum set up in the new REStart mall in the CBD of Christchurch, this is the place to go to learn about the Christchurch earthquakes. Highly recommend stopping and getting educated on these two huge events which has changed the city drastically and how they are moving forward into the future. They have great displays, videos, and even the famous cathedral spire for you to see and learn through. Sobering and informative. Also goes into some of New Zealand's earthquake history. Price is a bit high at $20 an adult, but very worth it. Love this city and how strong its people are. Kia Kaha CHCH!