Top Christchurch Day Trips - page 4
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Kenneth_W, Mar 2026
Great day to Akaroa.
Terry was on time and kept us on time.
He was very knowledgeable having lived his entire life in NZ and gave us great historical facts and made the day very fun.
Boat ride was fun to see dolphins and a few penguins. Akaroa is a great little town with restaurants and shops to poke around in.
Graham_G, Mar 2026
An experience in itself!
I’m normally reticence about hop on hop off city tours, but this one was really different. Stepping on the tram is like stepping into history. The drivers all added a personal touch and brought alive the history of Christchurch- a world of difference from the pre- recorded bus tours. A great way to see the city and an experience in itself.
John_P, Mar 2026
Fabulous day. Joseph was...
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.
Alan_K, Mar 2026
Great overview of Christchurch and the area
Excellent guide, Kevin, provided great overview of the history of Christchurch and the history of the earthquake and rebuilding. Nice balance of seeing city sites, view points, and beaches. Really enjoyed having some free time to walk around downtown.
bcripps1, Mar 2026
A great way to experience the Trans Alpine and see so much more
A great trip with an excellent, knowledgeable guide. The advantage of taking the Trans Alpine to Arthur's Pass and returning by coach on a guided tour is that you experience so much more on the return journey. Would very highly recommend this wonderful trip.
MaryJo_W, Mar 2026
Our tour guide John was...
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.
YICHI_C, Mar 2026
I just wanted to say a...
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the incredible day trip to Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook!
Words can't describe how beautiful those places are. The lake is like a gem, and Mount Cook looked so majestic. It was the perfect day, thanks in large part to your fantastic guiding. You made the tour so much fun and shared so many interesting facts that made the experience even more special.
I had the best time ever.
Mindy_S, Feb 2026
Awesome daytrip for any level of LOTR fan
This was a wonderful journey from Christchurch to a must-visit location for any LOTR fan (though you don't have to be a fan to enjoy the beauty). The tour featured a drive through the Canterbury region to the stunning location of "Edoras", including stops for snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Our driver/guide, Cheryl, was fantastic--providing us with fun, detailed stories about the filming location as well as information about the region and her own personal experiences. Getting to spend time on Mount Sunday, taking photos with props, was truly magical. It is definitely a full-day adventure, but well worth it.
sjwags8, Feb 2026
Blue waters gleaming in amongst ice cspped and rugged moubtains
Fantastic day. So much to do and absolutely amaxing mountainous views, including the iced capped peaks and sparkling blue waters. Great tour guide, catering to a variety of personsilaties, keeping us fed with knick knacks and water. Thanks for a super full day
fishy, Jan 2026
Incredible
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.
Joris_J, Jan 2026
Combo of gondola and punting is good.
We did the combination Avon River punting, and the gondola to the top of that mountain. Both experiences are very good our river punting captain, Jack, was very friendly, informative, and comical. On the gondola you get to have a nice panoramic view of the whole area. I recommend.
Christine_C, Dec 2025
Great way to get from Christchurch to Queenstown
Two operators that switch after Mt. Cook.
The first part was great. We thought Nick was great and the van was comfortable. Nick provided a lot of interesting commentary, spoke loudly so everyone could hear, and was great with my child. I can’t seem to remember the name of the tour operator at the moment….
The switch off happened at the Hermitage hotel which was a nice surprise to get some time there.
The second part was run by cheeky kiwi but less great. The van seats were less comfortable. I couldn’t hear the guide. The stops didn’t seem as spectacular (which isn’t the tour operators fault) and we skipped the suspension bridge but added an orchard stop, and I would’ve preferred the bridge. The high country salmon stop was kind of a waste too especially because we did a salmon stop on Lake Pukaki, which I loved.
It was a long day, I think 13h in total, but it was the only way to get everything done so I am grateful!
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Christchurch day trips are a great way to explore the dramatic coastlines and alpine landscapes that define New Zealand. From hiking trips out to the Hooker Valley Track at the base of Aoraki (Mount Cook) to whale-watching on the coast of Kaikoura, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures on Christchurch’s doorstep. Tolkien fans can even visit locations from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. With so many scenic spots just a short drive away, Christchurch is an ideal home base for discovering the best of Aotearoa’s South Island.
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