Where to Go Ashore: 13 Christchurch Shore Excursions

1.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $62Our pick

Travel from Lyttelton port into Christchurch with a local driver-guide such as Scotty, Joseph, or Larry. Visit Mona Vale Gardens, pause at the Sign of the Takahe, hear how the city rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, and enjoy free time near Cathedral Square and Riverside Market. Lunch is at your own cost.

“Good tour, got to see places i wouldn't have on my own unfortunately restricted by cruise ship schedule”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 194 reviews · from $114

This 6.5-hour Lyttelton shore excursion combines city views, Mona Vale Gardens, Cathedral Square, Riverside Market, and the International Antarctic Centre. Your driver-guide may be Scotty, Joseph, or another Leisure Tours guide. Expect a Hagglund ride, Antarctic cold room, penguins, commentary, and coach transport back to the ship.

“This was an excellent tour and Scotty was an excellent tour guide. The Antarctica experience was amazing and now I want to visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch & Willowbank Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews · from $102

Travel from Lyttelton to Christchurch with a local guide such as Joseph, Scotty, or Cally. See city views, Mona Vale, Cathedral Square, and Riverside Market, then spend two hours at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, including a guided kiwi experience and time to explore on your own.

“Scotty our guide was excellent gave great commentary. Very informative. Wildlife park small but we saw the new Zealand animals we came to see. Our only complaint was with the inconsiderate people on the tour. 1st stop had to wait Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $148

Travel from Lyttelton Port into Christchurch with a local driver-guide such as Joseph, Scotty, Diana, or Anne. See Port Hills views, Mona Vale Gardens, Cathedral Square, and Riverside Market before a 20 to 30 minute jet-boat ride through the shallow braided Waimakariri River. Port transfers are included, making this a practical cruise-day outing.

“We had the most amazing day with this tour. Scotty is a very informative and funny tour guide, I totally enjoyed his commentary and willingness to answer questions from the busload of tourists. A great tour with some great stops along the way. We took in some wonderful sights up on the mountain, enjoyed a walk through the gardens and a good couple of hours in Christchurch doing our own thing, which was unexpected, but an absolute blessing to be able to take in the city at our own pace. The Jet boating was absolutely thrilling. Our driver Paul, made sure we had the best time on the water. We…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Lyttelton Shore Excursion – Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $117

From Lyttelton, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Waipara Valley for tastings at three wineries, including Waipara Springs, where lunch is served. Guides such as Andrew, Tania, Joseph, and Caroline provide local commentary, manage the timing, and return you to the port. The small group is capped at 20 people.

“Caroline was our driver and she gave good commentary all the way round On time with 3 stops and a lovely lunch Drive each way about 1hour Lovely day out”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Lyttelton Shore Excursion – City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · from $139

This 7.5-hour small-group tour combines Christchurch sights with lunch and tastings at Waipara Springs, Torlesse Wines, and Georges Road Wines. Your guide, possibly Andrew, Rob, Carmen, Tania, Di, or another Leisure Tours driver, adjusts departure to your ship. Expect scenic hill views, earthquake history, country roads, and up to 18 people.

“Our Tour guide Tania was the best! And thanks to Lizzie for keeping us updated and for her patience and positivity!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Arthur’s Pass Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $185

Leave Lyttelton for a full-day run into the Southern Alps. You’ll visit Toby Hill Farm for sheepdogs, shearing, and morning tea, then cross Arthur’s Pass National Park to Otira Gorge. Guides such as Jude have added extra Christchurch stops when time allowed. Lunch in Arthur’s Pass costs extra, and the day includes plenty of driving.

“Every stop was beautiful and this was one of our favorite stops in New Zealand! Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly; we strongly recommend this experience to anyone stopping in Lyttleton.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Akaroa & Banks Peninsula from Lyttelton(Private Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $496Top rated

Travel from Lyttelton to Akaroa through Banks Peninsula with a private local guide. Stop at historic viewpoints, enjoy morning tea in Kaituna Valley, browse Little River, visit the Giant’s House, and spend three hours in Akaroa. Guides such as Jared, Gemma, and Ollie tailor the day to your group.

“The scenery was amazing. Morning tea and lunch was good with attention to detail. A little more information about the area would have been great as there were a few lulls in conversation”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Inland Canterbury & Castle Hill Tour (Lyttelton Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $309

From Norwich Quay, travel with a guide and up to seven others through Darfield, Springfield, Lake Lyndon, and the Canterbury high country. At Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti, walk among giant limestone boulders, learn about Māori culture and geology, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Guides Gemma and Nathanael have earned special praise.

“Absolutely wonderful way to spend the day in New Zealand Littleton Port. Great to get away from the coastal towns and cities and see the countryside. The large rocks are quite amazing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa)

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $167

Travel from Lyttelton to Akaroa through the Banks Peninsula, stopping for views of Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere before joining Black Cat Cruises for a two-hour nature cruise. You may spot rare Hector’s dolphins and other native marine life. A driver-guide, air-conditioned transport, and port transfers are included, with lunch available when selected.

“We found it difficult to meet the bus although we followed instructions given. Had to phone the company who came and picked us up. Along with another group who were booked on the same tour. The drivers then conducted several head cRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Akaroa & Giants House Garden tour ex Lyttelton (Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $340

Travel from Lyttelton to Akaroa in a group of up to eight with a local guide. Stop at Gebbies Pass, Kaituna Valley, Little River, and the Giant’s House mosaic garden. Morning tea, a café lunch, and return transport are included, with guides such as Gemma, Michelle, and Jared leading the way.

“Our guide, Jared, was kind and accommodating. The area is stunning and he took us to some wonderful sites.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Cruise Ship Passengers Tour, Sightseeing in Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Join a private group of up to two on a powerful 5700cc Chevrolet trike, traveling from Lyttelton through Sumner, Christchurch, and the Port Hills. Your driver handles the transport while you choose between the gondola, museums, gardens, shopping, lunch, or a tram ride. Attractions are paid separately.

“Very nice experience. We saw breathtaking scenery. The driver was careful and very kind. He knows his subject.Auto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Castle Hill & Inland Canterbury Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $496

Leave Lyttelton with a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle for Darfield, Springfield, Porters Pass, Lake Lyndon, and Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. Guides such as Lachie and Anna lead the day, with lunch, snacks, tea, and coffee included. You can walk among the boulders, try bouldering, or simply enjoy the setting.

“Perfect day spent with Anna! Easy pick up at the port of Lyttleton and headed out of town to Darfield Bakery. Best meat pies ever! And nice selection of GF baked goods.”

Check availability →Read our full review