Tours in Christchurch

Nestled at the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana), Arthur’s Pass is steeped in history. Home of the world’s only truly alpine parrot and our namesake, the Kea, the now National Park’s dramatic terrain, powerful waterfalls, unique fauna, native Beech forest, and engineering feats make it a popular destination for hikers and sightseers alike. You will be driven in comfort by our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) packed with the extras to make the trip that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable, and passionate tour guides and including a thrilling 30 minute jet boat experience, this journey is one you will never forget! As this tour operates in an alpine region, the weather can be unpredictable so please prepare for all conditions. Please note that this tour is not suitable as a shore excursion.

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 eight participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience. Return to Christchurch in one of our luxury vehicles.

Watch whales and swim with dolphins. This is a overnight delight for all those who wish to get close to nature. Journey from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where you will take a whale watch tour. Overnight in this tiny coastal town, before joining your Swim with Dolphins cruise. Dive into the oceans and swim next to these amazing mammals. A marine experience unmatched by any other.

Enjoy a 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. Then enjoy A rare opportunity to Jet Boat on the Waimakariri River, a fast flowing shallow braided river where you will experience jet boating at its very best.

Book an unforgettable day trip to Akaroa! Departing from Lyttelton Port, you'll enjoy stunning coastal views, including a stop at Sumner Beach before arriving in the charming, French-inspired town of Akaroa. Explore its historic streets, enjoy local cuisine, and discover unique attractions like the Giant's House or a harbor cruise to see rare Hector's dolphins. With expert guides and a relaxed pace, Kiwi Horizons ensures a memorable experience that combines natural beauty, culture, and adventure. Don’t miss this amazing day out!

The only place to see NZ's Big 5 wildlife (kea, kaka, takahe, tuatara and guaranteed kiwi viewing) all in one location!  Get 'up close and personal' with over 50 different wildlife species!

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives as a vibrant, evolving city that still honors its Garden City roots. From above, see Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, and Deans Bush / Pūtaringamotu—green jewels in the city’s heart. Below, bold new precincts mix with restored heritage buildings. Gaze at laneways, central bars, the Margaret Mahy Playground, and the iconic Town Hall. The cultural core pulses with life—home to The Court Theatre, The Piano, and Isaac Theatre Royal. Te Kaha, the new One New Zealand Stadium, gleams—future home of concerts, world-class rugby, and Crusader victories. To the east, the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor transforms the Red Zone into an urban sanctuary. Beyond, fly over the Port Hills to Banks Peninsula: Diamond Harbour, Lyttelton Port, Sumner, and Pegasus Bay—where nature, culture, past, and future connect.

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour (1 way). This small group, fully-guided day transfer allows you to travel in style to Mt Cook while seeing all the key highlight along the way. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty sperm whales that live in these waters along with dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and seabirds. Start the day with an early morning Train Journey from Christchurch to Kaikoura,  Admire breathtaking views of the snow-capped Kaikoura Ranges and visit a fur seal colony on land. Wrap up the day with a wine tasting at a vineyard in North Canterbury. Your experienced guide shares informative commentary throughout the day on this fun and fascinating tour.

Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic view points on a half-day city tour of Christchurch. Wander the Monavale Gardens with pretty ponds and water features, drive through the city center with its historic buildings and architecture. Visit the seaside suburb of Sumner, and travel to the Sign of the Takahe to admire the spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Choose either a morning or afternoon departure, and upgrade to include the Intentional Antarctic Center.

Join us for a unique and thrilling experience on a V8 Chevrolet trike as we explore beautiful Christchurch. Designed and built in Canterbury, our awesome trike is powered by 5700cc Chevrolet motor. It’s the ultimate in power and excitement. Pickup at Lyttleton Shuttle drop off. Take to the Gondola(optional) for opening at 10am. Wait while you go up and down. Travel into the city and CBD trip around the city. Photo opportunities at lookout on the way. Free time in the city. Depending on how long you want to spend in the city the Art Gallery, Arts Centre, Quake City, Ravenscar House, Botanic Gardens, and Earthquake memorial. We then meet up again and transfer you back to Lyttleton by taking you over the Port Hills scenic lookout at The Sign of The Kiwi Café. Photo opportunities from top of the hills.

Explore the coastal town of Akaroa and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins on this full day tour from Christchurch. Travel through the breathtaking New Zealand countryside to Akaroa and admire sights of interest such as Governor’s Bay and Lake Ellesmere on route. Cruise into the harbour with your guide and watch the waves for marine life. Strap on your snorkel and flippers and swim with elegant Hector’s dolphins in the wild. Enjoy free time to explore Akaroa, then visit a local cheese factory for a tasting session.

At The Nature’s Trail, we’re passionate about making your journey through Christchurch and beyond smooth, scenic, and stress-free. Whether you’re flying in or out, your airport transfer service ensures you’re always on time and in comfort. A team of professional, friendly drivers specializes in timely pick-ups and drop-offs, so you can travel with complete peace of mind. Need a warm welcome? Opt for your Meet and Greet service, where a driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a personalized name board because your convenience is the priority. But we’re more than just an airport transfer provider. From weddings and private events to custom sightseeing tours across the breathtaking landscapes of the South Island, we offer flexible transport solutions designed to fit your plans and pace. With affordable rates, reliable service, and a commitment to excellence, The Nature’s Trail is trusted by locals and travelers alike for transfers that are smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

It's all about the experience! Exhilarating! Sightseeing has never been so much fun. Standard tour or made-to-measure, you are sure to enjoy your ride on our V8 trike. We can easily customize something just for you.

Travel by road on a full day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook, Australasia's highest mountain. Along the way you'll pass through the spectacular scenery of the Canterbury Plains, view MacKenzie Basin, Lakes Tekapo and Pukari and Tasman Glacier. Stop at Tekapo for some picture-esque photos and travel onwards to the Mt Cook Heritage Village. Enjoy a lunch at the Hermitage Hotel. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included on your guided tour.

The Tour Start Time will be adjusted, where necessary to meet the cruise ships schedule. The start time displayed is a default time and not necessarily relevant to your cruise ships itinerary. Enjoy, both a complete morning tour of Christchurch city with a lunch and tastings at 3 beautiful wineries in the Waipara region on shore excursion from Lyttelton. This tour includes all major city attractions such as Mona Vale Gardens, historic buildings, botanical gardens and spectacular view of the southern alps and canterbury plains from the Sign of the Takahe. At the conclusion of your city tour, enjoying wine tasting from 3 popular wineries in the Waipara region.

Travel up and down on our chairlift for a stunning scenic ride taking in the adventures around you as you go. You will dismount at the top and there is a short walk to take some snaps with views of the city, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Alps. The perfect background for a selfie.

The first stop on this small-group half-day tour is at the Sign of Takahe (a Historic stone building), where you can enjoy scenic views and capture some memorable photos. Next, you'll head to the Sign of the Bellbird Scenic Reserve and take in breathtaking views of the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. Afterwards, you'll visit the Governors Bay Jetty, allowing you to explore the serene surroundings of the seaside settlement. In Lyttelton Township, you'll have some time to explore the quaint shops and appreciate the town's historic charm. The tour then takes you to the Evans Pass lookout, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Lyttelton Harbour and learn about the operations of Lyttelton Port and its links to Antarctic exploration. The final stop is Sumner Beach, where you can relax, enjoy local snacks, then wander through the charming village. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation or in the city centre.

Explore the enchanting Waipara Valley, renowned for its boutique wineries and breathtaking landscapes. This 5-6 hour winery tour invites you to taste award-winning wines, learn the intricacies of winemaking from local experts, and savor gourmet food pairings. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle as you visit top wineries like Pegasus Bay and Waipara Hills. Ideal for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike, this tour provides a delightful insight into New Zealand's premier wine country.

The West Coast of New Zealand offers a unique holiday experience, featuring scenic roads, breathtaking landscapes, and picturesque spots. This iconic route takes you on a bucket list adventure along the ever-changing coastline, passing through hidden gems and towns, and offering endless opportunities to stop and explore. You will be driven in comfort in our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter packed with extras, just to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you. Memories made, hearts happy and photos a plenty in this tour!

Embarking on a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown offers a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and culinary delights.

Our tours are about sharing our ancestors cultural stories, and the narrative of the diverse people which now call Ōtautahi Christchurch home. We do this this through meandering through our less known areas sharing gems hidden in plain sight. ​ It’s about getting out and about and walking to your destinations and discovering our Māori and settler heritage and connecting you with the exquisite hard to find local establishments with unique stories to share You will arrive as strangers and leave as friends.

A shore excursion highlighting the magnificent scenery of the Banks Peninsula and its twin harbours of Lyttelton & Akaroa. From Lyttelton travel through the harbours inner bays through Gebbies Pass, Lakes Ellesmere & Forsyth and onto the hilltop overlooking Akaroa Harbour. Enjoy a two-hour nature cruise in Akaroa Harbour, with usual sightings of the rare Hector’s Dolphins and other native marine wildlife, followed by an optional lunch at Bully Hayes. In the afternoon, visit a cheese factory and stop on the hills overlooking Christchurch for great views of the city and Canterbury Plains.

The Green Kiwi Tours 'Private Christchurch Walking Tour' is an informative and entertaining way to get the express history of Christchurch! From Māori and European history to modern day locals. From geography, culture, architecture and the 2011 earthquake, we cover it. As we unravel the the story of Christchurch, be amazed at the hidden gems of the city! Join one of our passionate and knowledgeable local guides for the best express history of Christchurch City!