Nature and Wildlife Tours in Christchurch at a glance
- Our pick: Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day Trip, NZ$ 380 per person (10h, 4.85★ · 505).
- Top rated: Godley Head Coastal Hike: WW2 Landmarks & Harbour Views, NZ$ 285 per person (4h, 4.96★ · 53).
- Best value: Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi Viewing, NZ$ 37 per person (1h–3h, 4.52★ · 124).
Price per person across the 18 options priced per person: NZ$ 37–NZ$ 2,575 (median NZ$ 340). With 100+ reviews: 7 of 18.
Of the 18 options: 17 with live guides in English, 17 with free cancellation, 14 with instant confirmation, 15 with hotel pickup, 13 kid-friendly, 6 private and 8 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Price per person. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 50 reviews.
Nature and Wildlife Tours in Christchurch — Arthur's Pass National Park, Castle Hill, TranzAlpine Train and 10 more
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
18 options
The 15 best
Ranked by quality, reviews, availability and booking conditions.
Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day Trip Wake up in Christchurch, ride the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps, hike Arthur’s Pass, and explore Castle Hill’s boulders. Includes pickup & guide. Every day except Monday and Wednesday · 07:00 · Pickup available · From age 4 ★ 4.85 (505 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 380 per person
Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd Church Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo day trip from Christchurch with guide, hotel pickup and lunch included. Free time in Aoraki National Park for walks or scenic flights. Every day · 06:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.81 (257 reviews) Duration: 13h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 299 per person
Arthur's Pass Day Tour from Christchurch: TranzAlpine Train Return Day tour from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass with expert guide, alpine walks and limestone formations. Every day · 09:00 · Pickup available · From age 4 ★ 4.49 (135 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 425 per person
Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi Viewing See NZ's Big 5 wildlife (kea, kaka, takahe, tuatara, and kiwi) plus 50+ species at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch. Hand-feed alpacas and farm animals. Every day · 09:30, 12:00 and 14:30 · From age 5 ★ 4.52 (124 reviews) Duration: 1h–3h ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 37 per person
Arthur's Pass Discovery: TranzAlpine Train & guided walks TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps and Waimakariri Gorge, followed by a guided rainforest walk in Arthur's Pass National Park. Every day · 07:30 · Pickup available · All ages ★ 4.84 (317 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN from NZ$ 940 per person
Godley Head Coastal Hike: 8–10 km Loop with Lunch, Christchurch Guided walk of Godley Head Loop Track near Christchurch with hotel pickup, local guide, lunch and gear included. Every day · 09:00 · Pickup available · From age 12 ★ 4.99 (168 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 340 per person
Godley Head Coastal Hike from Lyttelton: WWII History & Seals Guided coastal hike on Godley Head Loop Track from Lyttelton Port with local guide, walking poles, gourmet lunch and van transport. Every day · 09:00 and 10:00 · From age 12 ★ 4.97 (71 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 350 per person
Arthur's Pass day tour from Christchurch via Castle Hill Full-day Arthur's Pass tour from Christchurch with Castle Hill, Lake Pearson and Devils Punch Bowl waterfall. Includes lunch. Every day · 09:00 · Pickup available · All ages ★ 4.60 (45 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 225 per person
Godley Head Coastal Hike: WW2 Landmarks & Harbour Views Half-day guided walk on Banks Peninsula's 4 km coastal track near Christchurch, featuring WW2 ruins, an Antarctic cabin, and Lyttelton Harbour views with hotel pickup. Every day · 08:00 and 13:00 · Pickup available · From age 12 ★ 4.96 (53 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 285 per person
Arthur's Pass Day Tour from Christchurch: TranzAlpine & Peaks Board the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass with hotel pickup, guided walks, and Castle Hill limestone boulders. One-way journey. Every day · 07:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.57 (235 reviews) Duration: 9h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 495 per person
Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tour Eight hours through Arthur's Pass National Park from Christchurch, starting at Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill's limestone boulders, then the Otira Viaduct. Every day · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 · Pickup available ★ 4.64 (25 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 320 per person
Arthur's Pass tour from Lyttelton: Guided coach excursion Seven-and-a-half-hour guided coach tour of Arthur's Pass National Park from Lyttelton Port, with local guide. Every day · 08:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.73 (22 reviews) Duration: 7h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 335 per person
Christchurch to Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour: Sperm Whales & Seals Full-day tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura with whale-watching boat cruise, seal colony walk, museum visit and hotel pickup included. Every day · No fixed time · Pickup available · All ages ★ 4.73 (15 reviews) Duration: 8h–10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 299 per person
Mt. Cook Private Day Trip: Tasman Glacier & Lakes Thirteen and a half hours from Christchurch to Mount Cook with a private guide and driver: start in Geraldine, cross Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Every day · 07:00 · Pickup available ★ 4.93 (15 reviews) Duration: 13h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 345 per person
Godley Head hike from Christchurch: Coastal cliffs & WWII history Full-day private guided hike around Godley Head on Banks Peninsula with hotel pickup, hot drinks, WWII gun emplacements, Scott's Cabin. Every day · 08:00 and 09:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 12 ★ 5.00 (38 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 610 per person
Compare 3 more options for Nature and Wildlife Tours in Christchurch
From NZ$ 289 per person · 3 h to 8 h
Godley Head Coastal Hike from Christchurch: 4km private walk Half-day guided walk on Godley Head, Banks Peninsula: 4km coastal track with WW2 landmarks and Antarctic cabin, 30 minutes from Christchurch with local guide and hotel pickup. Every day · 08:00 and 13:00 · Hotel pickup ★ 5.00 (13 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 510 per person
Arthur Pass & Castle Hill day tour: Alpine hikes Day tour from Christchurch to Arthur Pass National Park and Castle Hill with professional guide, hotel pickup. Every day · No fixed time · Pickup available · All ages ★ 5.00 (7 reviews) Duration: 7h–8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 289 per person
Whale watching by helicopter from Christchurch to Kaikoura Fly from Christchurch over the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura for aerial whale watching with a live pilot. Spot sperm whales. Every day · 10:00 · All ages ★ 5.00 (1 review) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 2,575 per person
The top 12 of 18 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch to Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train & Castle Hill Day TripOur pickPickup offered | NZ$ 380 per person | 10h | 4.85★ · 505 | Every day except Monday and Wednesday · 07:00 | English |
| Godley Head Coastal Hike: WW2 Landmarks & Harbour ViewsTop ratedGroup of up to 10 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 285 per person | 4h | 4.96★ · 53 | Every day · 08:00 and 13:00 | English |
| Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi ViewingBest value | NZ$ 37 per person | 1h–3h | 4.52★ · 124 | Every day · 09:30, 12:00 and 14:30 | — |
| Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd ChurchGroup of up to 15 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 299 per person | 13h | 4.81★ · 257 | Every day · 06:30 | English |
| Arthur's Pass Day Tour from Christchurch: TranzAlpine Train ReturnPickup offered | NZ$ 425 per person | 10h | 4.49★ · 135 | Every day · 09:00 | English |
| Arthur's Pass Discovery: TranzAlpine Train & guided walksGroup of up to 8 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 940 per person | 9h | 4.84★ · 317 | Every day · 07:30 | English |
| Godley Head Coastal Hike: 8–10 km Loop with Lunch, ChristchurchGroup of up to 10 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 340 per person | 6h | 4.99★ · 168 | Every day · 09:00 | English |
| Godley Head Coastal Hike from Lyttelton: WWII History & SealsGroup of up to 10 | NZ$ 350 per person | 6h | 4.97★ · 71 | Every day · 09:00 and 10:00 | English |
| Arthur's Pass day tour from Christchurch via Castle HillPickup offered | NZ$ 225 per person | 10h | 4.60★ · 45 | Every day · 09:00 | English |
| Arthur's Pass Day Tour from Christchurch: TranzAlpine & PeaksPickup offered | NZ$ 495 per person | 9h 30m | 4.57★ · 235 | Every day · 07:30 | English |
| Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tourPrivate · Pickup offered | NZ$ 320 per person | 8h | 4.64★ · 25 | Every day · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 | English |
| Arthur's Pass tour from Lyttelton: Guided coach excursionPickup offered | NZ$ 335 per person | 7h 30m | 4.73★ · 22 | Every day · 08:30 | English |
By what you need
- Private (6): Arthur's Pass day trip: Castle Hill & alpine lakes tour (NZ$ 320 per person) · Christchurch to Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour: Sperm Whales & Seals (NZ$ 299 per person) · Mt. Cook Private Day Trip: Tasman Glacier & Lakes (NZ$ 345 per person)
- Small groups (up to 15) (6): Godley Head Coastal Hike: WW2 Landmarks & Harbour Views (NZ$ 285 per person) · Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Trip from Christchurch: Good Shepherd Church (NZ$ 299 per person) · Arthur's Pass Discovery: TranzAlpine Train & guided walks (NZ$ 940 per person)