Things to do in Christchurch
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Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi ViewingYou walk through over 50 wildlife species in one location, with guaranteed kiwi viewing in a dedicated house and hands-on time feeding farm animals and native birds. The reserve includes the Big 5 species unique to New Zealand — kea, kaka, takahe, tuatara, and kiwi — all accessible in a single day without needing transport beyond Christchurch.Is it for me?Right for families and wildlife lovers who want to see New Zealand's unique species in one place without arranging multiple stops — the guarantee on kiwi viewing is what makes the trip worthwhile if that's your main reason for coming.
Christchurch to Queenstown: Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo & Salmon TastingYou’ll travel from Christchurch to Queenstown with stops at Lake Tekapo’s blue waters, time to wander under Mt Cook’s peaks, and a taste of fresh salmon along the way. Expect small group comfort, stories from your guide, and moments where New Zealand’s landscapes feel almost unreal—plus space for your own quiet discoveries.
Christchurch: Small-Group Food Walking Tour & Local StoriesYou’ll walk Christchurch’s inner city with a local guide, tasting regional foods and hearing real stories behind landmarks like the Bridge of Remembrance. Expect Māori and European history woven into casual conversation, plenty of snacks (and lunch), plus little surprises along hidden lanes. By the end you’ll feel like you’ve seen—and tasted—a side of Ōtautahi most visitors miss.
Christchurch: Blokart Landsailing & Custom Track RacingYou get picked up from central Christchurch or the port, driven to the custom-built track, fitted with safety gear, and taught to pilot a blokart in under an hour of instruction and racing. The sail adjusts to your confidence level, so you control how thrilling it gets. The whole outing, including transport, runs about two hours and includes the air-conditioned van ride back to your starting point.Is it for me?Book this if you want a hands-on activity that works for mixed ages and fitness levels without needing your own transport or prior racing experience — the custom track and adjustable sails are what make it safe and fun whether you're seven or seventy.
Christchurch to Picton: Coastal Pacific Train JourneyYou board at Christchurch station, receive GPS-triggered audio commentary through headphones, and spend five hours watching 98 kilometers of untouched coastline pass — mountains on one side, the Pacific on the other. Open-air viewing decks let you step outside the carriage; the café carriage handles lunch. You arrive in Picton with no driving, no navigation, and the whole journey behind you.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the South Island's east coast without driving, navigating, or worrying about timing — the five-hour journey does the work, and the open decks mean you're not watching the scenery through glass.
Christchurch & Willowbank: Shore Excursion with City Tour & Kiwi SpottingYou’ll step right into Christchurch’s story as you walk its rebuilt streets and peaceful gardens with a local guide leading the way. Pause for lunch outdoors before heading to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for an up-close look at New Zealand’s elusive kiwi bird. It’s a day that lingers long after you’re back on board.
Christchurch: Gondola, Avon River Punt & Tram PassYou’ll ride vintage trams through central Christchurch, float quietly along the Avon River in a hand-crafted punt with a local guide steering, and soar above city rooftops on the Port Hills gondola. Take your time—each experience is flexible across different days. Expect small surprises: laughter from locals, sunlight breaking over distant hills, maybe even your own mispronounced “Kia ora.”
Christchurch: Crater Rim walk with guide & picnic lunchYou’ll join a small group from Lyttelton Port for a guided walk along Christchurch’s Crater Rim, starting with coffee by Sumner Beach and ending with a picnic lunch overlooking Pegasus Bay. Expect real conversation with your local guide, coastal views you’ll feel in your bones, wildlife sightings if you’re lucky — and moments you’ll remember long after the trip.
Christchurch to Queenstown: Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook & Salmon TastingYou’ll cross New Zealand’s South Island from Christchurch to Queenstown with a local guide, stopping for pies in Fairlie, gazing at Lake Tekapo’s wildflowers, walking near Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, and tasting fresh salmon at a local farm. Expect laughter on board, glacier air on your face, and plenty of small surprises along the way.
Christchurch sightseeing tour: Gardens, coast and mountain viewsA half-day guided tour of Christchurch takes in the central city landmarks—the Botanic Gardens, Arts Centre and Bridge of Remembrance—then moves outward to Mona Vale's landscaped gardens, the Sign of the Takahe on the Cashmere Hills, and the seaside suburb of Sumner. A local guide provides live commentary throughout; you choose a morning or afternoon departure. The morning option can be extended with admission to the International Antarctic Center and a Hagglund ride, adding roughly two hours.Is it for me?Choose the morning departure if you want the option to add the Antarctic Center and Hagglund ride; pick the afternoon slot if you prefer a shorter outing focused on the gardens, viewpoints and coast without the extra two hours. Both work for first-time visitors and anyone with a free half-day in the city.
Christchurch Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Quake StoriesA two-hour walking tour of central Christchurch led by a local guide who shares first-hand accounts of the 2011 earthquake, the city's rebuilding, and its future direction. The small-group format keeps the pace relaxed and interactive, with time for questions and tailored local recommendations. All sites visited are free to enter.Is it for me?The two-hour pace and flat, accessible route suit anyone wanting an authentic introduction to Christchurch without a heavy time commitment or physical strain. If you're a first-time visitor or returning traveler wanting to understand the city's character beyond the guidebook, the guide's personal stories and local insights are what make this walk different from a self-guided walk through the same landmarks.
Private Christchurch Walking Tour: 2011 Earthquake & Hidden GemsA private two-hour walking tour of Christchurch led by a local guide in English, covering Māori and European history, the 2011 earthquake, and the city's architecture and culture. The tour passes the Cardboard Cathedral, Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, New Regent Street, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, with recommendations for local places to eat and drink included.Is it for me?Book this if you want a walking tour where your guide speaks English throughout and covers Māori, European, and modern history in one loop—rather than a self-guided app or tour where you'd piece together the story yourself.
Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City & Waipara Wine TourThis 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.Is it for me?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.
Arthur’s Pass: Day Tour from Lyttelton with Sheep Farm & GuideYou’ll travel from Lyttelton Port into New Zealand’s high country with a local guide, stopping at a working sheep farm for morning tea and a close-up look at sheepdogs in action. Explore Arthur’s Pass National Park and its alpine village before heading back — it’s those small moments (and maybe that mountain air) you’ll remember long after the trip.
Christchurch Highlights Half Day Tour: Gardens & WildlifeA half-day guided tour of Christchurch covering four key stops: Cashmere for panoramic city views, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve with native species and guaranteed kiwi sightings, the Cardboard Cathedral designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, and the 52-acre Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Your guide drives and narrates the route, with pickup included and the vehicle air-conditioned throughout.Is it for me?This is a shared tour with a guide driving the route, so you're not navigating between sites or managing transport yourself — it suits anyone wanting to see the main highlights in a single morning without the logistics. If you prefer to linger at one stop or set your own pace, a self-guided option or private tour would work better, but the fixed itinerary is what keeps four distinct attractions inside four hours.
Waipara Valley Winery Tour: 5–6 Hours, 3 TastingsA 5–6 hour winery tour in Waipara Valley takes you to Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs and Torlesse Wines with hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, and wine tastings at each stop. The tour includes gourmet food pairings and visits to boutique wineries known for Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Maximum group size is 16 travellers; minimum age to taste wine is 18, and photo ID is required.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste wines across multiple wineries without driving yourself—the guide handles navigation and timing while you focus on the tastings.
Christchurch Guided Walking Tour: 40+ Sites & Local StoriesA guided walking tour of Christchurch covering more than 40 sites across the central city, led by a local guide in English. You'll pass the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, Bridge of Remembrance, New Regent Street, the Court Theatre, and Victoria Square, moving through both historic landmarks and the innovative spaces that have reshaped the city since 2010–2011. The tour runs two hours and includes an optional wine tasting at Fiddlesticks Restaurant & Bar in the Arts Precinct.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to understand Christchurch's story—both the earthquakes that changed it and the spaces the city rebuilt—with someone who knows the place. The two-hour walk and local guide mean the route holds together as a narrative instead of a list of stops, and you move through both the landmarks and the newer spaces that define the city now.
Helicopter tour to North Canterbury wineries from ChristchurchA helicopter tour from Christchurch to North Canterbury wineries, where you fly over vineyard views and the coastline before landing at Greystone Winery or Black Estate to taste wines and eat. The flight takes about three hours total, includes the helicopter transport only, and wine or food is paid separately at the winery. Check in 15 minutes early for a safety briefing and to be weighed.Is it for me?If you're staying in Christchurch without a rental car, the helicopter pickup from the city centre solves the transport to North Canterbury wineries—you don't arrange a separate drive, and the flight itself is the journey. The landing on uneven ground and walk to the winery means you'll need sturdy shoes and comfort with hillside terrain.
Christchurch Airport to City Centre: Private Transfer & WiFiYou book a pickup location and destination through the app, then a driver meets you at Christchurch International with your name and a vehicle already assigned. The sedan includes onboard WiFi, air conditioning, and real-time tracking to your city centre hotel or accommodation. No waiting, no negotiation — just a fixed-price ride that arrives on time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to avoid the airport taxi queue and arrive at your Christchurch accommodation without arranging transport yourself — the app-based booking and real-time tracking mean you know exactly when the driver will arrive and where you're going.
Christchurch Airport to City Hotels: Private Transfer & Luggage HelpYou get picked up at arrivals with your name on a board, luggage loaded into a private car, and driven straight to your hotel without other stops. The driver is professional, the car is clean and air-conditioned, and you can ask for local tips or book future transfers on the way. Fixed pricing and multiple payment options mean no negotiation at the airport.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving at Christchurch airport with luggage and want to skip the taxi queue and shuttle wait — a driver with your name already knows where you're going, and the price is set before you land.
