Top Christchurch Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

This is a great option for a Christchurch day trip that combines nature, local wildlife, and delicious food experiences too. Save time planning transfers by having round-trip transport in a luxury vehicle included. You won’t have to worry about bringing snacks with you as light refreshments, drinks, and a delicious lunch are all included. Travel in comfort between dispersed sites including Banks Peninsula, Barrys Bay Cheese Factory, and the Wild Side Conservation Area to spot wild penguins.

Discover volcanic landscapes and breathtaking scenery on New Zealand’s South Island on this 9.5-hour Akaroa day trip from Christchurch. Take in top attractions including Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsyth with your guide. Ascend the Banks Peninsula for beautiful views over Akaroa Harbour and the volcanic crater. Then, sample locally made cheeses and admire colonial architecture around Akaroa. Cruise by catamaran into the harbor where diverse marine and bird life thrives, including rare Hector’s dolphins. Upgrade your tour to enjoy a delicious lunch in Akaroa Village.

Visit four boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a half-day wine-tasting tour with optional lunch. Departing Christchurch, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines and Waipara Springs. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

Surround yourself with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on this day trip from Christchurch. Travel by coach past the foothills of the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Basin; stop at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukari; and enjoy views of Tasman Glacier. Enjoy lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in UNESCO-listed Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Includes round-trip hotel transport by coach with morning and afternoon tea.

Travel the full circuit aboard the Christchurch Tramway, which departs regularly. Use your ticket to hop on and hop off at 17 stops and create your own sightseeing itinerary. Drivers provide live commentary on the landmarks of this South Island city. Bonus: children up to age 15 travel free.

Enjoy a 4-course dinner aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant and travel in heritage style through the city center, round-trip from Cathedral Junction. Relax and enjoy views of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Avon River from your window-side table. The journey in this elegant restaurant on wheels includes a welcome drink upon arrival, with tea and coffee to accompany your gourmet meal, served by professional waitstaff.

Explore the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps on this Arthur’s Pass day tour from Christchurch. Travel through the pastureland of the Canterbury Plains to Springfield with your guide. Hop aboard your TranzAlpine train and journey through the Waimakariri Gorge. Explore the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass in the Otira Gorge and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Visit a sheep farm, and admire native birdlife in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Upgrade to include a hair-raising jet-boat ride on the mighty Waimakariri River!

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Take an aerial journey on the Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills crater rim and Mt Cavendish summit. At the summit complex — revamped since the 2011 earthquake — you’re rewarded with views of the cityscape, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. Upgrade for admission to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens including a caterpillar bus tour, or go punting by flat-bottomed boat on the Avon River.

Get ready for a hassle-free day of adventures from Christchurch with round-trip transport, and admission tickets included. The trip will showcase scenic viewpoints along the way, such as Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range, and sites from Lord of the Rings. Avoid long lines at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre by having admission included. Another highlight is a visit to the Tasman Glacier, and a delicious lunch is included too.

This private Full Day Tour explores complete Christchurch city from one edge to another with your private Driver/Guide. Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Flat-bottomed punts glide on the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. On its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Highlights: • Sumner Village • Port Hills • Cardboard Cathedral • Bridge of Remembrance • Punting on the Avon River • Botanic Gardens • Antarctic Center (Optional)

Tour one of New Zealand’s up-and-coming wine regions the easy way from Christchurch on this hassle-free day trip. Leaving the city behind, you’ll be driven to the scenic Waipara Valley region, which is dotted with vineyards. Visit several of the best and sample a range of red and white wines. Don’t worry about who is going to drive as transfers are taken care of.

Travel by TranzAlpine railway to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on this day trip from Christchurch.  An informative guide takes you on a minivan tour of Arthur's Pass, including short rain forest walks past rivers to mountain vistas at Castle Hill. Enjoy a hotel lunch and light refreshments before the return trip via Waimak Gorge. This small-group tour is limited to eight participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

This is a superb choice for hiking fans. Spend a day exploring Banks Peninsula with the convenience of having a guide to navigate. After a morning pickup, you’ll be taken on a roughly 30-minute journey to start your walk. You won’t have to bring heavy equipment with you as a backpack, walking poles, and bottled water are included. Access scenic photo opportunities that you wouldn’t find alone, and hear about the area’s history. Highlights include visiting Crater Rim, seeing views of Pegasus Bay, and enjoying a picnic lunch.

View the highlights of Christchurch on a 3-hour city sightseeing tour that introduces you to the architecture, gardens and waterways of ‘The Garden City.’ You’ll drive past significant landmarks in the city center; meander around ponds and perennial gardens at Mona Vale Gardens; visit the seaside enclave of Sumner; and marvel at the vista over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps from the ‘Sign of the Takahe.’ Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and upgrade to include the International Antarctic Center with an optional Hagglund vehicle ride.

Getting to Aoraki/Mount Cook from Christchurch is half the fun on this private day trip. Get a look at New Zealand’s tallest mountain and dig into a delicious buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel. Then take a walk in Mt. Cook National Park or stroll the village during free time. En route, admire gorgeous views from Lake Pukaki and make a stop at the alpine waters of Lake Tekapo.

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a Kaikoura whale-watching cruise. Look for impressive sperm whales along with migrating humpbacks and southern right whales, and search the waters for orcas and other dolphins as an experienced guide shares informative commentary. Visit a New Zealand fur seal colony on land, glimpse the snowy peaks of the Kaikoura Ranges and top off your full-day tour with a wine-tasting in North Canterbury. Includes optional lunch, with round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch to the picturesque town of Kaikoura.

Book a shared arrival transfer from Christchurch Airport to your hotel in the city center or CBD, and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip. It’s a simple, cost-effective option that takes all the hassle out of arranging transportation after you land. Transport is by spacious minivan.

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

When you’re ready to depart Christchurch, end your trip the easy way with this one-way shared departure transfer in a spacious minivan to Christchurch Airport. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey private taxi rides.

Enjoy a guided horseback ride at a high-country sheep farm in Springfield, outside Christchurch. This horse trek takes you on a riverside trail that is suitable for the entire family. Beginning or more experienced riders can walk, trot or canter past the Waimakariri River Canyon with views of the Southern Alps. Set out in the morning or afternoon in a small group of six people per guide.

Enjoy a rustic day out in nature, experiencing epic landscapes that featured in The Lord of the Rings films. Starting from Christchurch, this convenient tour will take you out to the Canterbury Plains and a working sheep station. There you can enjoy touring the countryside on a wagon pulled by large Clydesdale horses. This is a fun and relaxing way of experiencing the area, and a great alternative to hiking.

Learn about Antarctic landscapes, wildlife and explorers with tickets to the International Antarctic Center in Christchurch, an award-winning experience that combines fun and education. Try to weather a harsh Antarctic storm, then hear about life on the remote Scott Base and spend some quality time with the Center’s adorable Little Blue penguins. Enjoy Hagglund rides and 4D shows, and enter the 'cuddle zone,' where you can meet, snuggle and pet the fluffy Huskies that explorers historically used to pull their Antarctic dogsleds.

Enjoy seeing a variety of birds and animals during a guided tour of the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, followed by an entertaining evening with the Ko Tane Maori cultural performance plus a buffet dinner. You’ll enjoy two popular attractions, including a traditional 4-course ‘hangi' meal followed by a short city tour of Christchurch at night. Round-trip hotel transport is included.