Christchurch Tours, Tickets, & Excursions

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild during an Akaroa Harbour cruise. Strap on your provided wetsuit, flippers and snorkel gear, then slip into the water to swim alongside inquisitive Hector’s dolphins. This full-day trip from Christchurch includes a drive through the South Island countryside to Akaroa. You’ll admire breathtaking points of interest such as Governor’s Bay and Lake Ellesmere en route, enjoy free time to explore Akaroa, then visit a cheese factory for a tasting session in Barry's Bay.

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.

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.

Fly through a series of high-speed ziplines on a Christchurch Adventure Park zipline tour that gets you high in the air for sweeping views of the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean. Zipline guides and fitted protective equipment ensure a safe, fun adventure through the Port Hills, where you’ll ride four dual ziplines that soar more than 518 feet (150 mt.) above the ground.

Be enchanted on a Kaikoura dolphin swim during a 12-hour day trip from Christchurch. Travel via the rolling hills of North Canterbury to the rugged Kaikoura coastline, a whale-watching paradise where you’ll board a sightseeing boat and dive into the Pacific Ocean with a provided wetsuit and snorkel. Swim alongside dusky dolphins in their natural habitat and learn from your guide how to encourage interaction with one of nature’s most graceful and curious sea mammals.

Visit the scenic areas of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki on this picturesque day tour. It can be difficult to get to remote rural areas without a car, but you won’t have to worry about planning transport as Christchurch pickup and drop-off is included. The journey itself will showcase spectacular landscapes along the way. Once you get to Lake Tekapo, highlights include visiting Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and Tekapo Springs.

Take a jet-boat ride on the Waimakariri River, locally known as ‘The Waimak,’ with round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch. Select whichever duration best suits your schedule: enjoy a 30-minute braided Blast on the Lower Waimak, a 30-minute Adventure tour through Waimakariri Gorge or a 1-hour Canyon Safari adventure full of thrills and spills — suitable for the whole family.

See the top sights of the spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Stop 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, surrounded by steep rock walls; view Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Express. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and four nights’ accommodation in Queenstown and Franz Josef.

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.

Rejuvenate in the natural thermal pools of Hanmer Springs after a thrilling jet-boat ride through Waiau Gorge. Start your full-day trip from Christchurch with the exciting ride at Thrillseekers Canyon, then visit the resort village of Hanmer Springs, where you’ll melt your stress away with a relaxing soak. Have lunch at the on-site cafe and enjoy the convenience of round-trip hotel transport by private vehicle.

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.

A relaxed 4 hour guided cycle journey following the Ōtakaro Avon River from the central city to the sea, along 18kms of riverside cycle path and roads that are now closed to motorised vehicles. The Ōtakaro Avon River corridor is a green space, connecting the city to the coast, that provides a picturesque yet sobering reminder of the 2010 / 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Your guide will share key points of interest and local stories as you wind your way through the city to New Brighton, where you can stroll along the iconic Brighton Pier to enjoy the seaside air. Our fleet of new electric urban cycles makes the journey an easy one, getting you to the coast with plenty of time to explore the beach, the village and the fantastic views of the Port Hills. An insightful half-day cycle journey that offers a different perspective of Christchurch. A minimum of four guests is required for the trip to depart, however this tour is also available on a private basis.

Take time out to connect with nature and delight in a nature safari encompassing the wild penguins at Flea Bay. How peaceful is that! To complete your day, enjoy an end-of-day wine tasting (or non-alcoholic beverage) and afternoon platter at the very special French Peak vineyard.. Your journey to Akaroa takes in the stunning scenery of the rugged Banks Peninsula coastline and farmlands. Stopovers include the award winning Barrys Bay Cheese factory at Duvauchelle, and the quaint Little River Café & Gallery. You can also enjoy wandering around the French-inspired township of Akaroa (during the day, you will have a little over 3 hours spare time to wander in and around at your own pace).

Explore the rustic Kaikoura countryside by quad bike on this action-packed off-road adventure. You’re driven from Christchurch through the eastern landscapes of the South Island to Kaikoura, where you’ll take the helm in your own all-terrain vehicle, following your guide in a caravan after some free time to explore the town. Motor over a backcountry route of winding trails, grassy slopes and the Haumuri Bluffs with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Travel to Kaikoura from Christchurch on a small-group full-day tour that includes a whale-watching cruise. Look for whales, dolphins, and other wildlife during the whale-watching cruise, and get great views of the Kaikoura Range and Pacific Ocean. You’ll also stop for a cafe lunch, visit a Waipara winery (if time allows), and go to viewpoints where you can spot New Zealand fur seals.

When your cruise ship docks in Christchurch, benefit from a full-day tour that combines a half-day city tour of Christchurch with a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Take in the city’s historical landmarks and rebuilding efforts underway since the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Then head to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a guided tour that includes viewing of endangered kiwi birds and other New Zealand wildlife.

This full-day Albatross Encounter tour in Kaikoura takes you on a narrated boat ride from the rugged coastline. Kaikoura may be famous for its whale and dolphin sightings, but it’s also one of the world's most abundant regions for oceangoing birds like the southern royal albatross. The Kaikoura Peninsula offers spectators a look at petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls as well as a fur seal colony. Round-trip coach transport from Christchurch hotels is included.

New Zealand is known for its spectacular outdoor beauty and this tour helps you to see mountain scenery, and learn about local agriculture too. Take the stress out of arranging your own transport by having round-trip transfers from Christchurch included. You’ll travel between dispersed sites in a comfortable Mercedes-Benz AWD bus. You’ll visit up to three different farms, which vary depending on the season. Possibilities could be vineyards, cereal crops, flower farms, or horse studs. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, a delicious lunch is included.