Exploring Christchurch as the Clue Crew

Sophie: Christchurch is local to us, which actually makes it a really good place to explore as part of the Clue Crew. When you already know an area, it’s easy to assume you’ve “done” it. Walking it with a trail forces you to slow down and look properly, even somewhere familiar.

Some Clue Crew members do this while they’re travelling or on holiday. Others, like us, explore places close to home. Both are really valuable. Local trails need to work just as well for people who think they already know the area as they do for visitors.

Sophie: In simple terms, it’s people on the ground helping us shape Adventure Trails. Families, solo parents, travellers, locals. People who enjoy exploring and don’t mind sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what could be better.

We’re part of the original Clue Crew, so we’ve been involved from the very beginning, testing trails and helping shape how they work in real life. Other Clue Crew members join in different ways, sometimes locally and sometimes while travelling, but the idea is the same. Real people, real places, honest feedback.

It’s not a job and it’s not formal. You’re not expected to write essays or know loads of history. You explore, you notice things, and you share your experience.

Bear: It was quite chill. Some parts made you slow down more than usual, which was good. I liked the bits where you had to look up or think about why something was there.

Addie: I liked noticing small details. Some things were hidden and you had to really look. It didn’t feel rushed.

Sophie: I liked how it worked for all of us in different ways. The kids noticed things I wouldn’t have, and it sparked proper conversations rather than just moving from point to point. Christchurch is somewhere we have been many times before, so it was fun getting to learn things we didn't know about our own town!

Sophie: Definitely. There were places we’ve walked past loads of times without thinking twice. Doing the trail made us pause and actually read signs, look at buildings properly, and notice connections we’d never put together before.

That’s one of the reasons local Clue Crew explorers are so important. If a trail can surprise someone who lives nearby, it’s doing its job.

Sophie: Very practical things. For example:

• Where instructions might need to be clearer

• Where a clue could be misread

• Whether a stop feels worth it

• If something feels too obvious or too vague

Sometimes the feedback is just, “This works really well, don’t touch it.” That’s just as useful as spotting problems.

We also took photos of different things at each of the sites, and some fun videos too, that can be used in showing others what Christchurch is all about.

Sophie: Yes, and that’s important. If something doesn’t hold their attention or feels confusing, that matters. They often notice things adults miss, or interpret clues differently, which helps us make the trails work for a wider range of people. While the Clue Crew is given the 15 locations to visit in a location, if there are better or different ones, then we would love to hear about them too. It's all about the Adventure after all!

Sophie: Anyone who enjoys exploring properly. Families, solo parents, travellers, people who like wandering with purpose. If you’ve ever finished a trail and thought, “We’d happily do more of this” or “This place would make a great adventure”, you’re probably a good fit.

You don’t have to live near us, and you don’t have to travel far. Some Clue Crew adventures happen close to home, others happen on holidays. Both help shape future trails. We actually did this trail with our friend, John, too, so it was nice to socialise while exploring.

Bear: It felt quite natural for us. We’re used to learning while we’re out doing things, so stopping to look closely or talk things through didn’t feel weird. I liked that you had to think and look around, not just read information.

Addie: Yeah, it didn’t feel like a lesson, which I liked. We’re home educated, so we’re used to learning through experiences, and this fitted into that really well. It trusted you to make connections yourself rather than spelling everything out.

Sophie: That’s one of the reasons Adventure Trails work well for us as a family. Learning doesn’t have to be separate from real life. Exploring Christchurch like this sparked proper conversations and curiosity without anyone feeling pushed or rushed.

Sophie: You can explore Christchurch using the Adventure Trail, and if you’d like to help shape future trails, you can join the Clue Crew. It’s flexible, low-pressure, and fits around real life.