Christchurch tours, things to do and tickets

Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram! Travel on our newly extended track & enjoy this unique and historic way to view the inner city. Drivers provide a live and entertaining commentary. A full circuit takes 50 minutes, includes 18 stops and there are up to four Trams operating. Trams run approximately every 15 minutes (season dependent) and your ticket lasts all day as a hop on and off pass.
Once booked, please collect your tickets with your booking reference number from the booking office located in Cathedral Junction 109 Worcester St.
Please note our attractions do get very busy sometimes, especially if a cruise ship is in port and there may be a wait time at the Tram entry due to increased demand

Enjoy an afternoon Wine Trail tour exploring three of North Canterbury's boutique vineyards including Waipara Springs, Torlesse, Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills or Georges Road, all producing a fine selection of both white and red wines for tastings. Also included are at least 15 wine tastings at the vineyards of wines from of numerous grape varieties.
Should the afternoon tour option with lunch be selected the Plattered lunch has been arranged at the first winery you visit on the day of travel.

Discover the heritage city of Christchurch and its surroundings from a different perspective with a full-day pass for a hop-on-and-off tram and a roundtrip ticket for a gondola cable car ride.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this 9-hour adventure to Edoras (Mount Sunday) from Christchurch. Explore with your guide and soak up breathtaking views from the peak of Edoras. Look over exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs of Edoras under construction. Pose for photographs with movie replicas such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine. See for yourself how this tranquil mountainside was transformed into mysterious Edoras — the capital city of the Rohan people.

Experience the South Island's remarkable natural landscapes by taking a journey on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, which is considered one of the world's greatest train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. Enjoy breathtaking views of Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, ice-fed Waimakariri River, lush beech forests and stunning landscapes. Explore walking tracks in Arthur's Pass National Park with spectacular mountain views & pristine waterfalls. Capture mirror images at Lake Pearson & wander through the majestic limestone boulders at Castle Hill. A perfect day trip for nature lovers, hikers & adventure seekers.

The International Antarctic Centre transports a slice of this astounding continent to Christchurch, with a range of immersive experiences that allow everyday visitors to see, touch, feel and fall in love with Antarctica.

Brave an Antarctic storm, go off-road in a Hägglund, mingle with the penguins, experience Antarctica from all four dimensions and leave with a head full of knowledge, a heart full of love and an inspiration to take action. Just like the explorers before you.

Travel in a small group from Christchurch, on a day trip to Aoraki Mount Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Visit the picturesque Church of Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo and admire stunning alpine views from turquoise colored Lake Pukaki. Savor a scrumptious lunch at the Hermitage Hotel (POA) located in Mt. Cook National Park and enjoy a scenic walk to see the Tasman Glacier. Visit the turquoise coloured lakes of glacial melt and snow capped mountains.

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the TranzAlpine Train winding it's way through the magnificent Waimakariri Gorge. Join short guided walks to rainforests, rivers and mountain vistas. Traveling in a small group, maximum ten participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience.

Experience the South Island’s striking natural landscape by taking a train one way between Christchurch and Greymouth. Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.

Experience one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass. Meet your guide for a full day of exploration through the South Island's remarkable natural landscapes.

Fly high above Christchurch on New Zealand's longest & highest Zipline.

Set on 358 private hectares in Christchurch’s stunning Port Hills, the Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline Tour is approx 2.5 hours and has series of four thrilling dual ­ziplines, including one that is over 1.1 kilometres long (NZ’s longest!), and another that is over 150 metres above the valley floor (NZ’s highest!).

Embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Christchurch while your ship is at port in Lyttelton. This tour highlights both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild which is currently in progress, paired with the surviving beauty of the city and historical landmarks.

See the city of Christchurch from above by taking a trip aboard the Christchurch Gondola. The cable car takes you on a scenic journey to the Port Hills crater rim and Mt Cavendish summit, giving you fabulous views of Christchurch's dramatically changed cityscape. See Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as you rise to the summit complex, on the crater rim of Christchurch's famous extinct volcano.

Please note the Christchurch Gondola is a 15 minute drive from the city centre and a ten minute drive from the port of Lyttelton.

To see even more of Christchurch, go Punting on the Avon River. If the combo package is purchased. Please book your Punting timeslot prior to arrival by contacting the supplier directly.

• Please note our attractions do get very busy sometimes, especially if a cruise ship is in port and there may be a wait time at the Gondola due to increased demand

Enjoy a Sightseeing tour to Akaroa through the spectacular scenery surrounding Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes.  The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village. Experience a Nature Cruise with highlights including the rare, NZ native dolphin - the Hector's Dolphin, as well as penguins and other sea birds. And you'll see giant volcanic sea cliffs and hear about Akaroa's fascinating past. The Tour also includes a delightful lunch at Bully Hayes Restaurant.

Admire the natural scenery of Aoraki Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, on a private tour from Christchurch. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and see Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki.

Escape the Garden City for a day trip that’ll blow your socks off! Our Mt Cook, Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Day Tour from Christchurch allows you to adventure through the best of the Mackenzie Country, without any of the admin. We want you to SEE MORE, DO MORE and SPEND LESS!

You’ll travel in a carbon-neutral vehicle that doesn’t skimp on modern needs (think full air-conditioning, USB chargers and WiFi!) whilst exploring Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range and the sites from Lord of the Rings. We know all of this adventuring will make you hungry, so we’ve included lunch at the historic Hermitage Hotel. Don’t let the jaw-dropping views distract you from your epic local eats!

We’ll head back to where we began in Christchurch after a day of seeing the best of the best, allowing you to continue off on your adventures, wherever they may take you! Get amongst this 100% Kiwi As experience - we can’t wait to have you on board.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is 13.5hrs long and not flexible

Combine the International Antarctic Centre with its little Blue Penguins, Antarctic Storm in the Ice and Snow room, 4-D Movie and Hagglund ride over a purpose made course, together with a half day city tour of Christchurch taking in not only the damage to the city by several earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild currently taking place but also the remaining historic landmarks and the existing beauty of this picturesque city.

Enjoy a stunning guided walk on Banks Peninsula, a spectacular extinct volcano only 30 minutes from Christchurch. Take in world-class views and see one of New Zealand's most beautiful coastlines with an experienced local guide.

Godley Head Loop Track is undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Christchurch. This undulating well-maintained loop track covers 8 km / 5 miles and will take approximately 3 hours to walk, including lots of time to stop and enjoy the scenery.

You will see historic WW2 landmarks, an Antarctic hutt, a penguin colony, and quaint little beaches to boot. Morning tea is provided at Godley Head, followed by a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay, a secluded beach, looking out over Pegasus Bay, and the majestic Southern Alps beyond. Seals, dolphins, and birds are often spotted.

This day tour starts from and returns to Christchurch City, including Lyttelton Port.

Visit some of the best boutique wineries of North Canterbury on an all inclusive wine tour with Giles Tours. This tour includes visiting 3 boutique wineries for tutored tastings and a delicious lunch. Departing Christchurch at 10.30am, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Torlesse Winery and Greystone wines. Learn from your knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique micro-climate as you taste a range of world class red and white wines. We only need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour but this is a shared tour and you should be prepared to share your tour with others (Maximum of 6 per tour). For private tours or a personal guided tour visit the operators website.

Enjoy a Sightseeing tour to Arthur’s Pass through the spectacular scenery of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Journey on one of the world’s greatest train journeys, lunch in an Alpine Village nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps. Visit a high country sheep farm for a farm tour and afternoon tea, you might even be allowed to have a go at shearing a sheep.