Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City & Waipara Wine Tour

See Christchurch and taste Waipara wines without leaving the port on your schedule

This shore excursion from Lyttelton combines a morning tour of Christchurch with lunch and wine tastings at three wineries in the Waipara region, timed to match your cruise ship's disembarkation and return. The guide meets you at the port, handles all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and adjusts the start time to fit your ship's schedule. Lunch and tastings at Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe, Torlesse Wines, and a third boutique winery are included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mona Vale30m
2. Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe1h 30m · entry included
3. Torlesse Wines40m · entry included

Christchurch city tour and Waipara wineries

• Start tour after ship disembarkation
• Admire views of city and Southern Alps
• Visit Mona Vale Gardens
• See Christchurch Cathedral earthquake damage
• Lunch and wine tasting at Waipara Springs Winery
• Wine tasting at Torlesse Wines
• Wine tasting at boutique Waipara winery

The experience

The tour starts up to an hour after your ship finishes disembarking, so you're not rushed off the vessel. Your guide picks you up at Lyttelton port and drives you into Christchurch, where the morning unfolds around the city's landmarks: Mona Vale Gardens with its ponds and water features, the historic Christchurch Cathedral and its ongoing rebuild, and the Sign of the Takahe, a viewpoint overlooking the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. The route takes in major city attractions and gives you a sense of the city's layout before heading inland to Waipara.

By midday you're at Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe for lunch: an individual platter served with wine tasting. Two more winery stops follow: Torlesse Wines and a small boutique producer known for award-winning wines. Each stop includes a tasting, so you move through three different cellars and their styles in a single afternoon. The guide handles the driving and commentary throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive between stops.

Timing is built around your ship's schedule: you provide the docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book, and the tour is adjusted to get you back to Lyttelton in time to board. If your ship runs late, the start time shifts with it. Bring a photo ID (passport recommended) for the wine tastings. If you have dietary or allergy requirements, let the operator know at booking.

What’s included

• Port pickup and drop-off at Lyttelton.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the entire tour.
• English-speaking guide.
• lunch with an individual platter at Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe.
• wine tastings at three wineries.
• and a Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee so you're protected if your ship's schedule changes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leisure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if your ship docks at Lyttelton and you want to combine Christchurch's landmarks with Waipara wine tastings in one day. The timing is coordinated with your cruise schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What are the three wineries on this tour?

Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe is the first stop, where you have lunch with wine tasting; Torlesse Wines is the second; and a third boutique winery offering fine quality, award-winning wines completes the tasting run.

How does the tour time work with my cruise ship schedule?

The start time is adjusted to match your ship's disembarkation, starting as early as 8:30am or up to an hour after your ship begins disembarking. You provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book, and the tour is timed to get you back to the port before your ship departs.

What do I see in Christchurch on this tour?

Mona Vale Gardens with its ponds and landscaping, the Christchurch Cathedral and its rebuild, and the Sign of the Takahe viewpoint overlooking the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps are the main stops. The route also covers other major city attractions.

Is lunch included, and what about wine tastings?

Yes. You have an individual platter lunch at Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe, and wine tastings are included at all three wineries on the tour.