The suburb is a major transport hub and it encompasses the International Antarctic Centre.

[4] In addition to State Highway 1 passing through the suburb, Harewood is a major transport hub for Christchurch and the South Island owing to Christchurch International Airport sitting within the suburb.

The suburb is also home to the International Antarctic Centre, a major Christchurch tourist attraction centred around the city's role as a departure point for many national Antarctic programmes.

The centre was established in 1990, and is home to the administration offices of the New Zealand, United States, and Italian Antarctic programmes alongside multiple Antarctic-focused attractions.

Hagglund armoured vehicles can occasionally be seen on roads around the Centre, offering rides to tourists.