Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Christchurch, New Zealand
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Convenient pickup and drop-off at Lyttelton Port, by air-conditioned minivan
- Walking poles included, to help you enjoy the hike
- Plenty of time between stops to take in the sights and snap some photos
- Seals, dolphins, and native birds are often spotted during the tour
What's Included
- Port pickup
- Local guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Walking poles
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Norwich Quay, Lyttelton 8082, New Zealand
Get the free shuttle bus from the ship to Norwich Quay (5 minutes drive), where your guide will be waiting opposite Canterbury Street with a sign.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Sumner Beach (Cave Rock)
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Taylors Mistake - Awaroa / Godley Head Walk
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Godley Head
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
4
Lyttelton
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 70 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Susan_R, Apr 2026
This is a hike - 5 miles - around the crater rim and includes some steep hills and climbing rocky stairs. Our guide was fantastic. Emma was knowledgeable about the area and kept checking with us on hike options to either up the difficulty or adjust to simpler pathways. The scenery is breathtaking and you see ocean views from 3 different directions as you navigate the rim! People need to follow the physical recommendations and understand you should be in good shape without mobility restrictions to make this trek. Lunch and snacks were included. Everything was healthy and delicious!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the walk and your time with Emma.
Robert_E, Mar 2026
The scenery is beautiful! Our guides Flock and Emma were fantastic! Snacks and lunch were provided and were delicious. Be aware you will be walking about 7 miles and much of it is up hill. It was a very good representation of New Zealand.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback, glad to hear you enjoyed the lunch and your time with Emma and Flick. All the best with the rest of your cruise.
Alfred_C, Mar 2026
Emma and Flick were personable, patient and genuinely interested in everyone in the group. They made the 8 mile undulating hike go smoothly and efficiently. They kept an easy pace throughout and one of them always stayed with those in the group who couldn’t keep up. The day started with coffee, tea or hot chocolate at a beach cafe. There was a snack break, and bathrooms after an hour. Lunch was delicious and healthy: salad and vegetarian quiche. If you don’t want to miss out on the gloriously sweeping mountain views, this cruise ship Shore Excursion is for you!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the day with Flick and Emma, along with the views.
Valerie_C, Mar 2026
This was an amazing experience. The company took care of everything. They provided a hot beverage, water, snacks and lunch, poles, and even backpacks. The guides, Emma and Herb were lovely and helpful. The scenery was beautiful. This was one of our favorite experiences of our trip. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you! So glad to hear you loved your time with us, and in NZ in general:-)
phyllis_s, Feb 2026
This is a small group hiking opportunity through the beautiful countryside around the Lyttleton area. The hike is around the top of a large crater that helps form Lyttleton and the area. Herb and Vicki were great guides, and provided local information and historical information relevant to the area. There are several steeper ups and downs that have to be accomplished on the hike. We were able to take these at our own pace with Vicki taking care that we were with the group. I would recommend this hike for people that are in pretty good walking/hiking shape.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks so much Phyllis appreciate the review, and so glad you enjoyed the hike with Herb & Vicki!
Kristen_W, Jan 2026
Of all the tours we took in New Zealand, this was undoubtedly our favorite. The day started with a visit to a wonderful coffee shop on the beach before being transported to the hiking area. The hike itself was absolutely beautiful. We are active and in our 40s and did not have any difficulties with the hike, but there are rolling hills that might not be suitable for all. There was time to go at your own pace and stopping points where the guides would teach us about the area. We had two amazing guides who could not have been better - they were informative, conversational, attentive, and ensured that everyone in the group was progressing through the hike. They were also very thoughtful about taking photos of guests (even from a distance) and sending them to each guest. They certainly helped make the trip very enjoyable. In addition, the picnic lunch was delicious. A pleasant surprise is that we were given a reusable water bottle that served as a souvenir. Finally, we had a great group to hike with that make the excursion that much more enjoyable. I realize that is a factor that cannot be controlled but it was a bonus! Overall, this was an absolute gem of an excursion and highly recommended!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, and we are so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your day, and time with us on the Crater Rim!
Lori_C, Apr 2025
We had a fabulous sunny day. I was the slowest hiker but there were plenty of stops along this 5 mile gorgeous hike. Many of us were in our 60’s and had a moderate workout -not too strenuous at all. We even saw some sea lions in the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you Lori! It was such a pleasure to meet you. Come back again soon!
Louise_B, Mar 2025
The scenery was fantastic. And Dee, our guide, was fabulous. Nicole from Crater Rim contacted us the day before the excursion with details on the excursion and that was comforting. I recommend this excursion.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much, glad to hear the communication was helpful, and that you had a great time with Dee.
Shirley_L, Feb 2025
What a great day! So beautiful. Flick our guide was wonderful . Nicole’s communication about the tour excellent. The lunch was beyond yummy too!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you! So glad to hear you enjoyed all of the above. Safe travels:-)
lisawmurphy, Feb 2025
Great experience with fantastic views. Nicole and Heidi were incredible hosts. Highly recommend this hike/walk!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thanks Lisa! It was great to meet you:-)
MONICA_S, Feb 2025
First class trek around crater rim, beautiful scenery and views, tour guides Nicole and Harriet were exceptional. Had tons of fun and picnic lunch was so tasty and fresh as well as our coffee stop on the beach beforehand, really nice touch.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you Monica! We really appreciate your feedback and are glad the coffee and snacks were enjoyed as well as the hike:-)
Mark_W, Feb 2025
Nicole communicates so well in advance of the day and the transition from ship to Littleton transport is very easy. Nicole and Heidi picked us up with the rest of the group and it was the start of an incredible day. Fantastic hike, companionship with our fellow travelers (and leaders) and wonderful views that did not stop along the way. Nicole brings tasty snacks and lunch with a handsome souvenir water bottle. Nicole and Heidi are lovely people that care deeply for our experience and it was beautiful. Thank you from Mark and Kathy. We highly recommend this excursion to future visitors.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much Mark and Kathy, this means the world to us. We really appreciate your feedback and are thrilled you enjoyed the day so much.
Diana_G, Jan 2025
Excellent views! Worth the effort. I wish I was in better shape. Hike was a little more challenging than I expected. Flick and Heidi were great!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thanks Diana, I am so glad you enjoyed the day and your time with Flick and Heidi. All the best for the best of your holiday!
Douglas_C, Jan 2025
Awesome day with Nicole and 6 other wonderful cruise ship travelers, for this 8km hiking tour along the crater rim, with spectacular coastal views along the way! Nicole was very attentive to our group and provided everything we needed and much more! The lovely early morning tea at the Beach House ,to the narrated comments in the van, to the car park and trail entrance was perfect. A very healthy and delicious lunch was provided as well as a keepsake NZ water bottle and snacks to keep us well hydrated and nourished along the way. This added great comfort as we experienced the varied weather patterns step by step. We had all four seasons from rain and a bit of wind , to blue skies and sunshine making it a perfect day! The coastal flora dotted the hillsides, along with sheep, and a variety of trees and fern. Nicole took amazing photos and kept us on track from start to finish! Highly recommend this tour if you like hiking and a little bit of adventure!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much, it was great to spend the day with you. Wishing you the best for the rest of your vacation:-)
Joseph_P, Jan 2025
Fabulous tour. If you enjoy the out of doors and hiking this is the trip for you. Nicole was our guide and she was wonderful! Organized, knowledgeable and helpful in every way. The scenery at Godly Head was spectacular. The hike was very doable in that it was not steep for and about 5 miles in length. Best tour/ day of our 2 week trip. Everything about this tour company was quality and professional. Highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you so much, it was such a pleasure to meet you, and what an adventure we had that day! Thank you for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review:-)
Tjcal, Jan 2025
This was my husband and my favorite excursion in NZ. Dee was amazing - kind, informed, a real local with knowledge of wonderful hidden gems. She let us set our pace yet still kept us on schedule. I would highly recommend this!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you! Dee will be thrilled to hear you enjoyed it so much.
Susan_G, Jan 2025
Crater Rim Walks did a wonderful job showing us scenery on this guided hike. Sonia and Fraser were fun to hike with, and they took us to a beautiful area to enjoy the picnic lunch provided. The views along the way were lovely. I would highly recommend if you are active and want to see unique areas.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you! Much appreciated, and I am glad you had a great day with Sonia and Fraser:-)
Daphne_S, Nov 2024
Both my husband and I had wonderful time on this walking tour. Our guide, Nicole, did a super job in guiding and encouraging us over the 5 miles long trail which I thought initially I was unable to complete. But with the walking poles she prepared for everyone in the group, the periodic breaks she made at scenery points for photos taking, and the taste lunch and snacks she prepared, all 4 of us enjoyed a very nice and healthy walk and picnic. At the end of the tour, Nicole even drove 20 minutes long to drop us at the downtown center of Christchurch, led us to a local market for purchasing Manuka honey that I desired, and pointed out where to get on the ship shuttle bus to return to our cruise ship. We were extremely appreciated. Thank you Nicole!!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thanks Daphne! I hope you enjoyed the markets after the walk. All the best with the rest of your holiday!
jli315, Mar 2024
Beautiful hike with a great view of the water below. It was not sunny the day we hiked, but it was still so pretty. Nicole was a great guide and the lunch she made us was delicious. Loved the coffee stop beforehand also!! The hike is a nice length and not hard. A few inclines to get your heart beating faster, but not to the point where you were huffing and puffing.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you, much appreciated, safe travels!
David_L, Mar 2024
This was the most amazing experience. The views were spectacular!! It is a must trip for all cruisers and visitors alike.
The walk was for the most part easy although for me a little challenging at times with my bad knee. The great part about it was it was not stressful and we could stop anytime anywhere to snap pics videos or just rest.
Nicole the owner was amazing and the best host - thank you Nicole for a memory we will never forget!!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you David, so glad you enjoyed your time with us, your review is much appreciated:-)
Ron_S, Jan 2024
Heidi provided an excellent walking tour, providing interesting history, details of the area & vegetation.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Much appreciated, hope the rest of your trip goes well!
marleneuria, Dec 2023
We hiked around the entire mountain. The views were great from the mountain. The hike was very well planned. We had 2 guides. If you enjoy hiking we recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you so much!
Michael_H, Mar 2026
We had a very nice day with Helen and Dave. The hike was mainly near the coast with great views. The guides were super nice and competent. However, you should be fit and good on foot.
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Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We’re really glad you enjoyed your day with Helen and Dave and that the coastal views made the walk special. They’ll be delighted to hear your kind words.
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