All Christchurch Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Christchurch Land Sailing Adventure Velocity Karts

2 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover the fascinating world of Antarctica on this immersive two-hour guided tour led by expert Antarctic Guides. Gain insights into the history, science, and human spirit of Antarctic exploration. From the thrill of a Hägglunds ride to the chilling experience of the Storm Room, this tour offers unique opportunities to connect with the icy continent. Encounter captivating stories about research stations and penguin conservation while enjoying full access to the Antarctic Centre. - Two-hour fully guided experience with expert insights - Thrilling Hägglunds ride and Storm Room experience - Exclusive talks about Little Blue Penguins and Antarctic research - Full General Admission access included with the ticket - Please note this experience is not suitable for children under 16 years of age.

Christchurch: International Antarctic Centre Guided Tours

2 hoursFree Cancellation

First-time visitors to Christchurch will enjoy a fun, small-group overview tour of the city. Experience many of the central city’s highlights, including riding the scenic tramway and punting on the Avon River, and then get out of the city to ride the gondola for sweeping views over the countryside. Learn more about Christchurch than you would touring independently, and fit a lot into a day. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Discover Christchurch Tour

6 hoursFree Cancellation

Make the most of a short time in Christchurch on a full-day shore excursion after your cruise ship docks in Lyttelton. Head into the city and learn about its rebuild post-earthquake. Travel into the Port Hills to get a view over the Canterbury Plains, then speed up the weaving waterways of the braided Waimakariri River on a jet boat. This tour is designed especially to work with cruise ship timings.

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Enjoy a half-day guided walk on Banks Peninsula, a spectacular extinct volcano only 30 minutes from Christchurch. Experience world-class views and see some of New Zealand's most stunning coastlines with an experienced local guide. Godley Head is a beautiful coastal track with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and also Lyttelton Harbour. It includes historic landmarks from WW2, an Antarctic cabin, and quaint little beaches to boot. The walk is 4 km and takes around 2.5 hours to walk, including a rest stop. The track can be adapted by the guide on the day. If you are short on time, this half-day guided walk is a great option. Both morning and afternoon walks are available, see the highlights and be back in Christchurch in time for lunch or dinner. This walk has less elevation than the full day option, and is suitable for most levels of fitness.

Half-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike from Christchurch

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Totally Personalized Private Experience! A day trip to Arthur's National Park offers a variety of green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest, and ice-fed lakes and rivers and an optional guided walk with your guide to explore, biggest waterfall. Travel along the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing landscapes. Explore Lake Lyndon, castle Hill (famous for massive limestone boulders and rocks), Otira Viaduct Lookout (famous piece of infrastructure for scenic view), Arthur’s Pass National Park, Powerfull Devils Punchbowl Waterfall and Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

Arthurs Pass Private Day Trip from Christchurch with Castle Hill

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Totally Personalized Private Experience! Tailored 3 Private Tours for Cruise Ship Passengers Arriving in Lyttleton, Christchurch. We offer these tour options, specially designed for only cruise ship passengers: Option 1: Half-Day Christchurch & Half-Day Akaroa Explorer Option 2: Arthur’s Pass with Castle Hill – Full-Day Return Tour Option 3: Kaikoura Whale Watching – Full-Day Return Tour When making a booking, guests are required to specify which tour option they are selecting. Please note: Due to time constraints related to cruise ship arrival and departure schedules, guests may book only one tour option per day. These are single-day excursions and cannot be combined.

Lyttleton Port Excursion Day Tour 3 options for Cruise travelers

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

Self-driving through New Zealand’s mountainous South Island can be distracting, and public transportation links are limited. Travel between Christchurch and Queenstown with ease during this 2-day small-group transfer service that stops overnight in Franz Josef (accommodation own expense). Journey from the plains to the mountains while admiring the scenery rather than watching the road. Also stop at Hokitika and Wānaka en route for more sightseeing opportunities.

Christchurch to Queenstown 2-Day Transfer Via Franz Josef

2 daysFree Cancellation

Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

The Christchurch to Queenstown journey takes you from the incredibly flat Canterbury Plains right through to the dramatic mountains of the Southern Alps. The area is out of this world beautiful! This tour gives you the opportunity to absorb the wild beauty, starting in Christchurch you'll travel into the heart of the Mt Cook National Park. After a full day of exploration, on the final afternoon, hop on board the coach to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

3 Days, Mt Cook & Dark Sky Reserve: Christchurch to Queenstown

3 Days, Mt Cook & Dark Sky Reserve: Christchurch to Queenstown

3 daysFree Cancellation

5% savings

from

$881$837

Completely Customized Personal Experience! A day trip to Arthur's National Park lets you experience a mix of green fields, rough mountains, dense forests, and lakes and rivers filled with ice-cold water. You can also join a guided walk with your guide to see the park's largest waterfall. Drive along the Great Alpine Highway and see the beautiful changing scenery. Discover Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill, known for its huge limestone boulders and rocks, the Otira Viaduct Lookout, which offers a beautiful view, Arthur’s Pass National Park, the impressive Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall, and the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

Arthur’s Pass National Park & Castle Hill Private Tour

Arthur’s Pass National Park & Castle Hill Private Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Discover the highlights of Christchurch on this small-group sightseeing tour designed for cruise ship guests visiting Lyttelton Port. Travel through the seaside suburb of Sumner for a coffee stop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a visit to the iconic Cave Rock. Explore Christchurch with an experienced local guide as you learn about the city's history, resilience, and remarkable rebuild following the 2011 earthquakes. Visit architectural landmarks including the Transitional Cardboard Cathedral, colourful New Regent Street, and Cathedral Square. Stroll through the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens, home to giant trees, vibrant seasonal displays, and the historic Peacock Fountain. Enjoy free time at Riverside Market, where gourmet food stalls, artisan producers, and local boutiques create a lively atmosphere. Complete your day with a relaxing 30-minute punting experience on the Avon River before enjoying scenic views on your return journey to Lyttelton Port.

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Highlights & Avon Punting

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Highlights & Avon Punting

6 hoursFree Cancellation

Christchurch City Highlights Half Day Tour

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s unique West Coast Glacier Country, Franz Josef is only one of two places in the entire world where you can view glaciers surrounded by native alpine forest. As a popular midpoint for those travelling between Christchurch and Queenstown, this 1 way tour showcases the very best of what the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana) and rugged West Coast have to offer. So why not join as we travel the Great Alpine Highway from New Zealand’s east to west coast. You will be driven in comfort by our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) packed with the extras to make the trip that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable, and passionate tour guides and including transfer from Christchurch to Greymouth aboard the world famous TranzAlpine, this journey is one you will never forget!

Christchurch to Franz Josef With TranzAlpine (1 way)

Christchurch to Franz Josef With TranzAlpine (1 way)

13 hoursFree Cancellation

Make the most of a travel day between Christchurch and Franz Josef by joining a transfer-tour that combines the practicality of a shuttle service with the in-depth guidance of a tour. After boarding in central Christchurch, travel over the Southern Alps to the South Island’s West Coast, admiring views of mountains, rainforest, and rivers. Travel via Hokitika to visit the spectacular Hokitika Gorge before arriving in glacier country—Franz Josef.

Christchurch to Franz Josef 1-Way Small Group Tour via Hokitika

12 hoursFree Cancellation

See the top sights of New Zealand's spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour from Christchurch. With accommodation and transport taken care of, there's no logistical planning to worry about. Visit at Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, enjoy free time to explore the adventure capital of Queenstown, take a boat cruise on Milford Sound, view Franz Josef Glacier, and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine train.

5Day/4Nights Great Southern Circle

5 daysFree Cancellation

Christchurch City Top Spots Half Day Tour(Small Group Tour)

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

Enjoy an authentic Māori tradition—without dealing with any logistics—on this guided waka canoe experience starting at 794 Colombo Street. Learn how to paddle a real wooden waka before setting off on the Otakaro (Avon) River. As you paddle, listen to stories about the river, Christchurch, the Ngai Tahu iwi, and European settlers. Discover Māori culture and heritage in a hands-on, immersive way.

Māori Waka Experience in Christchurch - 75 minutes

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Godley Head is an exciting and beautiful place at the far end of the Port Hills. From Godley Head, you will be treated to uninterrupted and spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and the South Island's east coast. Rich in history and scattered with remnants of New Zealand’s WWII defences, this is a must-do location for anyone visiting Christchurch. Join us and explore this unique and unforgettable area with one of our friendly local guides. 1/2-Day Walking Tour: - Track grade: Very easy, 2.5 hrs of walking time - Walking distance: 3-5 km (flexible depending on group ability) - Total elevation gain: ~180 m Full-Day Walking Tour: - Track grade: Easy – Moderate fitness required, 3-4 hrs of walking time. - Walking distance: 6-9 km (flexible depending on group ability) - Total elevation gain: 380-440 m

Guided Hike & Scenic Drive: Christchurch. 8hr. Lunch & Transport

3 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

Don’t worry about what to do once you arrive at Lyttelton Harbour. On this small-group tour of the Canterbury countryside surrounding Christchurch, you’ll be transported to Sumner Beach to take in ocean views over coffee before tackling the Godley Head Loop, one of the area’s most popular hikes. Enjoy coastal views and historic World War II landmarks before a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay, surrounded by striking vistas of the Southern Alps.

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love the chance to swim with rare Hector’s dolphins so close to Christchurch on this full-day Akaroa tour. Admire views of scenic spots such as Lake Ellesmere on the drive out to Banks Peninsula. Enjoy free time in Akaroa and a cheese tasting at Barry's Bay before hopping onto your cruise boat. Wetsuits and snorkeling gear are provided for a comfortable swim with dolphins.

Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Christchurch Inner City Lunchtime Food and Culture Walking Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Travel by TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through the Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on a day trip from Christchurch. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass Village, where you’ll explore the rainforests and mountains on short walks. This small-group tour limits the group size, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Arthur's Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train - Small Group Tour

A thrilling jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter tour are both must-do activities in New Zealand. Save yourself time and hassle by combining them in one easy trip. Departing from Christchurch, you’ll fly over the scenic Canterbury countryside, admiring the pristine braided rivers as you go. Soon you’ll be zipping over them in a jet boat navigated by an expert driver who will keep you safe while you’re having fun.

Helicopter & Jet Boat Tour – Canterbury

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Must-Dos in Christchurch

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What are people saying about Christchurch

Christchurch: Sheep Farm, Lunch and Winery Day Trip

SheilaMarie_B, Oct 2026

What a spectacular experience!

It was truly amazing to witness sheep shearing up close, feeding them, learn about the different breeds of sheep and explore such a massive farm. The lunch was delicious, too! Simon and James were the best! You can tell how much he loves his job through his passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm. They made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Winery experience was fantastic! A definite 10/10! Don’t miss this tour if you’re visiting Christchurch. Highly recommended!

Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch

jashwant_p, Oct 2026

Loved our trip to see the...

Loved our trip to see the place where they filmed the Edoras scenes. The weather in Christchurch was bad so we thought the trip was ruined but it got better as we got to Mt Sunday. The scenery was beautiful and our photos turned out great. It was a highlight of our New Zealand trip.

TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

Helen_B, Oct 2026

Great trip

This was a great trip .Enjoyed the train ride to Arthur’s pass …stunning views . The walk up to the devil’s punch bowl was very enjoyable and also loved the walk around Castle hill rocks . AJ the guide was great .He was friendly and very attentive …he even brought us snacks . Great day out !

Christchurch to Arthur's Pass Tours + TranzAlpine Train & Lunch

Stephen_K, Oct 2026

Cheeky Kea - top shelf

Excellent day trip - timing is good; things click along well. Good way to go up via mini bus and back on a spectacular rail trip. The little stops up en route work well. Highly recommended and our guide went out of his way to keep us informed and engaged

Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch

Lucille_R, Oct 2026

Great day out.

Great day out. Very easy pick ups and drop offs. Our driver Scotty was very knowledgeable and friendly. He pointed out places of interest and stopped at good photo vantage points. He couldn’t have been more helpful. While the included lunch was nice there were plenty of other options to choose from if not going for the included lunch package.

Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

Sophie_D, Sept 2026

Beautiful scenic trip with lovely guide.

Such a beautiful well planned day. Our tour guide was absolutely amazing. Looked after us so well with plenty of snacks and water and was immensely knowledgeable about the local areas we travelled to. The scenery we visited was stunning and we were given adequate time at every stop n

Christchurch to Queenstown One-Way Tour via Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo

WENZHE_L, Sept 2026

Trip review

Driver from christchurch to lake tekapo is very knowledgeable about geography, geology, history and enthusiastic along the entire journey. Learned a lot about from him. Driver from lake tekapo to queenstown is really nice. She explained about history of the gold rush, how queenstown came to be, recommendation for the fresh salmon, ice cream in jackson orchard, etc. it was well worth it. Good value for money.

Mt Cook & Tekapo Small-Group Tour from Christchurch with lunch

Chris_H, Sept 2026

This was a spectacular...

This was a spectacular experience; we got very lucky with the weather, with barely a cloud in the sky. I planned the trip well, and our knowledgeable, flexible driver made it clear there were opportunities on the way back to stop in places like Fairlie to check out the award-winning bakery. Cheeky Kiwi felt like an excellent operator, and I wouldn't hesitate to book with them again if I were back in the country.

TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

Eleanor_O, Sept 2026

Absolutely amazing ...

Absolutely amazing experience, would recommend to anyone, Nzers & tourists, who can afford it. We were like kids in a candy store. Only disappointment was there was no running commentary. A big part missing was knowing all the landmark’s & history of each area as we passed. Yes I had the phone app ( no earphones) so had to read instead of being free to look!! This was a big part missing as I love to know the stories!!

TranzAlpine Train to Arthur's Pass from Christchurch with Lunch

Rachel_T, Jul 2026

Breathtaking Tranzalpine Train Ride and Tour

The Tranzalpine Cheeky Kiwi Tour was absolutely brilliant on every level. Although the weather did not cooperate as it was wet and cold, we still had a really great time. The train ride through the coast was just stunning and so picturesque with the southern alps in the background and foreground of our photos. The mountains were spectacular and it was breathtaking! Our tour guide, Logan was highly professional, personable, warm and friendly. He provided us with not only the basic information about the area we were visiting but also gave us an insight into what Christchurch means to people of the past and to those of the present. Additionally, Logan presented us with the history of the places we visited and even gave us personal anecdotes of his life and family which I felt added a true personal touch. It was a trip worth going on and worthwhile for so many reasons and we highly recommended it!

Arthur's Pass National Park Day Tour with TranzAlpine Train

Tania_C, Apr 2026

Great Day Out

Train trip was fantastic with snow on the alps which was a bonus as apparently it doesn't usually snow in April. Stephanie our driver for the trip back was very knowledgeable and gave us plenty of time to see the sights when we stopped to stretch our legs and short walks. Arthurs Pass and Castle Hill stops with lunch at Grasmere (very yummy) and the view to the snow- capped mountains was spectacular. Toby Farm very interesting and the hosts were lovely. Plenty of opportunity for photos along the way. A long day but worth it. A must do trip.

Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook (1 way)

G_C, Apr 2026

Great way to enjoy The diversity of the Southern Island

This trip gives you time to enjoy some of the tremendous beauties that span the southern island from Christchurch to Queenstown. Frequent stops made the trip much more manageable and the views are exceptional on the trip. Plus the ability to hike at some of these sites really make it enjoyable.