Tours and Trips in Christchurch

This 12 Day South Island private vacation will have you fall in love with the South Island of New Zealand and show you what this beautiful island has to offer.  We'll explore the rebuilt city of Christchurch, kayak in a National park, whale watch and cruise on the oldest steam ship in New Zealand. And that is not all! This itinerary is full of experiences that you will remember for a lifetime, all while riding in the comfort of your own vehicle with a very knowledgeable, experienced Driver/Guide.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild during an Akaroa Harbour cruise. Strap on your provided wetsuit, flippers and snorkel gear, then slip into the water to swim alongside inquisitive Hector's dolphins. This full-day trip from Christchurch includes a drive through the South Island countryside to Akaroa. You'll admire breathtaking points of interest such as Governor's Bay and Lake Ellesmere en route, enjoy free time to explore Akaroa, then visit a cheese factory for a tasting session in Barry's Bay.

Spend two full weeks exploring New Zealand's magnificent South Island witht his guided tour. You and your fellow travelers will get to experience the best of the island, including the thermal baths of Hanmer Springs, the seaside town of Picton, the glorious Abel Tasman National Park, and the stunning Franz Josef Glacier, as well as Queenstown, Lake Matheson, and Lake Tekapo. You'll even have some free time to go bungee jumping, if the mood strikes!

Discover volcanic landscapes and breathtaking scenery on New Zealand's South Island on this 9.5-hour Akaroa day trip from Christchurch. Take in top attractions including Governor's Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsyth with your guide. Ascend the Banks Peninsula for beautiful views over Akaroa Harbour and the volcanic crater. Then, sample locally made cheeses and admire colonial architecture around Akaroa. Cruise by catamaran into the harbor where diverse marine and bird life thrives, including rare Hector's dolphins. Upgrade your tour to enjoy a delicious lunch in Akaroa Village.

Starting and ending in the "Garden City" of Christchurch, we show you the ultimate highlights of New Zealand's stunning South Island over 7 action-packed days. From turquoise lakes to towering mountains and glaciers, the South Island's scenery will blow your mind, and the nation's adventure capital, Queenstown, has all the adrenalin activities on offer that you could possibly wish for. Included in your tour is a unique opportunity to carve your very own pounamu (greenstone) pendant with local carvers on the West Coast. Activities can be pre-booked or purchased on the road - just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre-booking any activities you especially want to do. As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to book accommodation in Christchurch with us the night before the tour - only having to walk downstairs on day 1 makes for a stress-free morning.

Spend three nights in Queenstown on this 4-day semi-independent tour of the scenic South Island. You'll travel round-trip from Christchurch by narrated coach via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, with a full day of free time to spend at your leisure in New Zealand's 'adventure capital.' Experience all the highlights along the way, including a Milford Sound cruise on the majestic fiord.

This 6-hour Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the 'Garden City' includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You'll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand's national bird.

Maximise your time in port in Akaroa with a 6-hour shore excursion to Christchurch and take in the highlights of the Garden City. Admire city landmarks such as Christchurch Cathedral, enjoy lunch (own expense) at a riverside restaurant, then choose one of three tour options (for an added fee): a punting cruise along the Avon River, a tour of the Botanic Gardens, or a ride on the Christchurch City Tram.

Experience the coastal splendor of New Zealand's South Island on this 7-day tour by coach and Taieri Gorge Railway from Christchurch. Hear live onboard commentary as you travel through the Canterbury Plains to the historic city of Dunedin, then head to Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier via the rugged west coast before returning to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine. Your itinerary includes six nights' accommodation, a Milford Sound cruise and a guided sightseeing tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with admission to the royal albatross colony.

See the top sights of the spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain; enjoy free time to explore the adventure capital of Queenstown; take a boat cruise on Milford Sound, surrounded by steep rock walls; view Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Express. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and four nights' accommodation in Queenstown and Franz Josef.

Visit the historic city of Christchurch on a full-day trip from Akaroa Wharf. With drop-off at a location in the heart of Christchurch, you'll have three hours of independent time to explore Christchurch on your own: visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, book a boat ride on the Avon River, or just browse the shops in the city center. This full-day Christchurch excursion includes pickup and drop-off at the port in Akaroa Wharf, and it's a convenient way to add New Zealand's "Garden City" to your time at Akaroa Wharf.

See the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this 3-day semi-independent tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Traveling by coach and train, you'll stop in UNESCO-listed Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and Queenstown, travel up the west coast to Franz Josef Glacier, and visit the Gold Rush town of Greymouth, then board the homeward-bound TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps and past the Canterbury Plains. Listen to informative onboard commentary and enjoy two nights' accommodation as you explore the sights independently.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other city highlights before a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch's top attraction. Feel arctic winds at the Snow and Ice Experience and observe New Zealand wildlife at the Penguin Encounter. Finish with an all-terrain adventure on a thrilling ride by amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

Wander the charming village of Akaroa, and opt for either a harbor cruise or dolphin swim on this small-group tour from Christchurch. Start with a scenic drive through the magnificent Banks Peninsula where you're treated to summit views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and the distant Southern Alps. Sample locally made cheeses at a cheese factory, explore Akoroa and enjoy a cafe lunch before a nature cruise or dolphin swim alongside Hector's dolphins. Numbers are limited to eight people for a personalized experience.

This 8 Day private vacation will have you fall in love with the South Island of New Zealand as you experience the higlights of this beautiful island  We will explore the rebuilt city of Christchurch, hike on a glacier, sample beautiful New Zealand wines and experience the iconic Shotover Jetboat. And that is not all! This itinerary is full of experiences that you will remember for a lifetime, all while travelling in the comfort of an exclusive vehicle to your group, with a very knowledgeable, experienced Driver/Guide.

When your cruise ship docks in Akaroa, take a shore excursion to Christchurch for a sightseeing tour, followed by an adrenaline-charged jet-boat ride on the Waimak River. Escorted by a knowledgeable guide, you'll combine a drive through the Banks Peninsula with the city landmarks of Christchurch and an exhilarating jet-boat ride. Round-trip port transport is included.

Starting from Christchurch, we will take you on an adrenalin-fueled South Island experience that is bursting with optional activities to get your blood pumping. We include two days in Queenstown to maximise the rush. It all starts at 8am at our Haka accommodation in Christchurch and ends around 9am on day 12 in Wellington. As with all our tours, we do include a few 'must-do' events, ranging from a pounamu pendant carving experience, and the chance to paddle a waka (Māori canoe) with your group. We have a massive range of optional activities available to add, from bungy jumping and dolphin swimming to jet boating and scenic flights. None of these are compulsory; just add the ones you want. Simply let your tour guide know.  As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to stay at our Haka accommodation in Christchurch the night before the tour - only having to walk downstairs on the day the tour starts makes for a stress free morning.

Experience a 6-day semi-independent tour by coach and train around the scenic South Island, traveling round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mount Cook, take a Milford Sound cruise and spend a free day in Queenstown, then journey to Pukerangi and cross into Dunedin aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway. Enjoy a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula and royal albatross colony before returning to Christchurch. Transportation, sightseeing tours and hotel accommodation are all included.

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on a 6.5-hour shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, you'll take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region, including Little River, Lake Forsyth and Lake Ellesmere.

Explore the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps on this Arthur's Pass day tour from Christchurch. Travel through the pastureland of the Canterbury Plains to Springfield with your guide. Hop aboard your TranzAlpine train and journey through the Waimakariri Gorge. Explore the alpine village of Arthur's Pass in the Otira Gorge and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Visit a sheep farm, and admire native birdlife in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Upgrade to include a hair-raising jet-boat ride on the mighty Waimakariri River!