Top Christchurch Day Trips

This was an absolutely epic drive across the heart of New Zealand's spectacular South Island! The first driver was knowledgeable and a safe driver, but didn't seem to want to be there somehow, as well as seeming to rush us a bit at each stop. It didn't help that it was grey and rainy until after Lake Tepako, which of course is not on the driver, but that stop especially felt a bit rushed. The second driver, a bright young woman, had much more of a positive aura and gave us more time to unwind at the various stops. The minivan/minibus was a little cramped in leg room for such a long trip, which the company might want to consider going forward. Otherwise, it was an absolutely wonderful tour and is highly recommended! Some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see!

The description was everything it said! We had a great time, despite the light rain, and would recommend it to anyone who loves to see Lord of the Rings movie film locations. You aren't required to hike to the top, but it is absolutely worth it! Tammy was great with local information and film related info and stories! It's an all day trip but we felt it was worth it! It also included a wonderful box lunch!

An extremely interesting day. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and showed us how much Christchurch has changed since the 2 earthquakes in 2010/11. It was very sad to see the Cathedral still under repair as we had seen it pre-earthquake in 2007. It's a lovely city to visit and to see how much has been rebuilt so far. Hope the good work continues 🙏

Fabulous day. Joseph was our guide and he was so knowledgeable about everything from things to show us on the way between sites and about everything we did. There wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer. The Antarctic Center guide was also fantastic Just a great day full of things to see and do.

Our tour guide John was engaging, informative and entertaining. Travelling through the Alps at the end of the summer was pretty, but I kept imagining how dramatic this scenery would be during the spring with the mountains snow capped and the rivers running full. It was nice to be able to take in the changing landscapes and not having to worry about the driving. The jet boat ride, offered for a fee, was fun and a nice addition to the trip. The return train ride was a relaxing, slow and scenic way to end the day.

Our family very much enjoyed this tour. The views of the lakes and mountains were stunning. It was a long drive but the driver provided snacks and water throughout the day and made plenty of stops. Travelers should be aware that this tour does not actually take you to Mount Cook or the Tasman Glacier themselves but rather viewpoints for each in Mount Cook National Park. We had great weather so enjoyed wonderful views of Mount Cook, but Tasman Glacier is pretty far from the viewpoint and appears as just a sliver of white between mountains. The views of the Blue Lakes were much more spectacular. The hike requiring "moderate fitness" is a 12 minute walk up a well-maintained path with stairs to the Tasman Glacier viewpoint, and there is a separate trail to the Tasman River, which is more flat and easy. It was easy to do both within the allotted 80 minutes. We were warned that it is cold at the Tasman Glacier viewpoint and to bring a jacket, but on a warm day in the summer, the hike up was enough of a workout that we had to take off our outer layers. The bus had working WiFi, which was helpful given the remote destinations. We would very much recommend this tour for travelers who don't mind a long bus ride to get to the beautiful mountain scenery.

Wow, the views were stunning on the way up and down the gondola. The views from the gondola top station were amazing! As we walked around the top we were presented with spectacular panoramic views of Lyttelton harbour, the Christchurch cityscape, across the plains to the southern alps and very long beaches. 360 degree views! Follow the map provided and do the discovery ride at the bottom of the top station! It was a highlight of our experience. It was a busy day when we visited and worth the wait.

This was a fabulous tour. Be ready for a long day but it is so worth it! The views were amazing. Loved the additional stops , especially at Fairly Bakery. You must try the meat pies! Our guide Jess made the entire day so enjoyable! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The roads aren’t perfect but doable. Our van was a bit old but the seats were very comfortable, except they need new seatbelts. You will love this tour.