New Zealand Things to do in Christchurch

Things to do in Christchurch

Christchurch New Zealand things to do tours activities and events
New Zealand Home North Island Accommodation Map South Island Accommodation Map Things to Do in New Zealand
Christchurch Accommodation More Canterbury Accommodation Dunedin Accommodation New Zealand Transport & Tours

 

Select Christchurch

Night Tours
Adventure Tours
Day Tours
Train Journeys
Skiing
Food and Wine
One Way Tours
Extended Tours
City Stopovers
More.......
 

 

Christchurch Adventure Tours:

Tranzalpine 7 Day Experience with the Magic Travellers Network
The TranzAlpine is world renowned as 'The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure'. Crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, The TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular gorges and river valleys, before tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps.
Come fly with us…Hot Air Ballooning COME FLY WITH US…
Today you will join a team of people passionate about ballooning. After more than 12 years experience and 30,000 satisfied passengers, their enthusiasm is still on the rise, just like their balloons over the Canterbury Plains.
Rangitata River White-Water RaftingRangitata River White-Water Rafting
Experience 3 hours of incredible rafting amongst spectacular scenery on Rangitata River, one of New Zealand's most exciting stretches of white water! Depart from Christchurch and travel two hours south-west to the river base with an early lunch on arrival (approximately 11:00am).
Banks PeninsulaHorse Trekking
Experience the pleasures of horse riding on the Banks of the Waimakariri River, with magnificent and breathtaking views of the Southern Alps. You will be collected from your accommodation and taken approximately 25 minutes from the city center of Christchurch. An experienced teacher will accompany you on the trek and is available to provide advice and assistance.
Akaroa Swim with DolphinsAkaroa Swim with Dolphins
Visit the beautiful unspoiled old French whaling depot of Akaroa. Travel by road to Akaroa via Sign of the Takahe and Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, Little River and the Hill Top. A stop will also be made at the cheese factory at Barry's Bay, where you can sample some fine New Zealand cheese.
Kaikoura Swim with DolphinsKaikoura Swim with Dolphins
Spend the day getting close to nature. Travel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately 3 hours by coach). Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins.
Waimakariri RiverWaimak Gorge Jet Boating
Enjoy one of the most exhilarating and scenically spectacular jetboat rides available in New Zealand. Jetboat the Waimakariri River Gorge through the foothills of the Southern Alps with breathtaking views of rugged snow-capped mountains. You will travel from Christchurch by road through the rural pastoral scenes of the Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Top

Christchurch Night Tours:
Maori concertGondola, Dinner and Maori Concert

The tour commences at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Here you will be treated to a truly memorable Maori welcome followed by a cultural performance with a Maori Concert consisting of action songs, poi dances and haka. Following the performance you will be taken on a short tour of the Reserve where you will see the New Zealand native Kiwi in its natural habitat. We then travel across town to the Port Hills and the Christchurch Gondola.....

Maori WarriorWillowbank Dinner and Maori Concert
The tour commences at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Here you will be treated to a truly memorable Maori welcome followed by a cultural performance with a Maori Concert consisting of action songs, poi dances and haka. Following the performance, enjoy a wonderful buffet dinner at Willowbank. After dinner, you will be taken on a tour f the Reserve where you will see both native and introduced to New Zealand. On returning to the central city you will be given a guided tour of the Christchurch at night prior to being returned to your accommodation.

Maori Concert and Kiwi ViewingMaori Concert and Kiwi Viewing
This evening, you are collected from your accommodation and transferred to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where you will be treated to a truly memorable cultural performance with a Maori Concert consisting of action songs, poi dances and hakas. Following the concert, there will be the opportunity to view New Zealand's native Kiwi in its natural habitat… Willowbank is the only privately owned reserve in the world where Kiwis can be viewed in the open.

Top

Christchurch Day Tours:
The Big FiveThe Big Five

Today's first stop is the International Antarctic Centre, a winner of the New Zealand Tourism Board award for "Best Visitor Attraction". The Antarctic Centre has recreated the atmosphere of Antarctica and provides an interactive exciting experience of this Southern Continent which very few people have the opportunity to visit first hand. You will then move onto Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where you can explore the farmyard, feed the animals and see a wide variety of birds and animals both native and introduced to New Zealand including the Kiwi in its natural habitat, Eels, Keas, Deer and Possum.....

Christchurch GondolaChristchurch City Sightseeing - Must See Four
Visits four of Christchurch's main attractions: International Antarctic Center, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch Gondola and a ride on the historic Christchurch Tram through the central city. Stop at the International Antarctic Center, a winner of the New Zealand Tourism Board's award for 'Best Visitor Attraction'. It recreates the atmosphere of Antarctica and provides you with an interactive exciting experience of this Southern Continent.....

Whale Watch CruiseKaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour
Spend the day getting close to nature. Travel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately 3 hours by coach). Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale watch tour by boat......

Kaikoura Whale and Dolphin Overnight TourKaikoura Whale and Dolphin Overnight Tour
Spend two days getting close to nature. Combine the Kaikoura 'Whale Watch' tour on day one with the Kaikoura 'Swim with Dolphins' cruise on day two. Included in the price of the tour is one night's five star accommodation at the Anchor Motor Inn (or similar) in Kaikoura.....

Avon RiverDiscover Christchurch
The tour commences by covering the central city highlights, including Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Thomas Edmonds former band rotunda and the Avon River, Town Hall, the floral clock, Law Courts, Provincial Chambers, Christ's College, Museum, Botanical Gardens, Arts Center, Worcester Boulevard and the Bridge of Remembrance. On leaving the city the tour travels around Hagley Park, arriving at the Mona Vale homestead and gardens. From Mona Vale the tour travels across town towards the Port Hills.....

Akaroa HarborAkaroa and Banks Peninsula - Nature Cruise or Dolphin Swim
Depart Christchurch and travel to Akaroa over the beautiful Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The high summit route gives glorious views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, the distant Southern Alps and the remote bays and farmlands. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village, the only French settlement established in New Zealand.....

Mount Cook from PukakiExplore Mount Cook
Travel by road to Mount Cook, Australasia's highest mountain, through the spectacular scenery of the Canterbury Plains. A short stop at either the Tin Shed (an old shearing shed selling discount sweaters) or at Barkers Winery (the largest fruit winery in NZ) for tastings of wines, sauces and jams. Continuing through the foothills of the Southern Alps from Geraldine to Fairlie and through the MacKenzie Basin, with its brown snowgrass-covered landscape which has an almost desert like aspect, to Lake Tekapo. There is the opportunity to take an idyllic photograph of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo with its backdrop of magnificent alpine scenery.....

Sheep Farm VisitSheep Farm Visit
This tour takes you approximately 30 minutes from the center of Christchurch by road into the heart of Canterbury's farm land. Visit one of three working sheep farms all set in tranquil and picturesque locations. Enjoy the experience of watching sheep dogs work, rounding up the flock and penning them for you to touch, examine and photograph. A shearing demonstration has been arranged and if you wish, you can have a go. There are many other sheep farm activities for you to witness and enjoy, such as feeding the pets or milking the cow. Morning or afternoon tea will be provided....

International Antarctic CentreSnow and Kiwi Tour
This tour comprising of the mid afternoon and early evening, visits two of Christchurch's leading attractions - the International Antarctic Centre and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. The International Antarctic Centre, a winner of the New Zealand Tourism Board's award for 'Best Visitor Attraction', recreates the atmosphere of Antarctica and provides the visitor with an interactive exciting experience of this Southern Continent which very few people have the opportunity to experience first hand.....

Christchurch Garden TourChristchurch Garden Tour
Take this tour and see why Christchurch is truly the Garden City. You will visit a mixture of public and private gardens. The public gardens may include Mona Vale, the Sanitarium Gardens, or the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The private gardens are generally award winning and offer a mix of perennial, rose, water features and woodlands. The tour consists of two public and two private gardens all of which are full with an array colorful and fragrant plants, shrubs and flowers.....

Half Day Fishing TourHalf Day Fishing Tour
After collection from your Christchurch accommodation, you will be transferred to your Fishing Guide, Harvey Taylor and equipped with all fishing equipment and fishing license. Travel to either the Waimakariri or Rakaia rivers depending on river and weather conditions. Both rivers contain brown trout and salmon in summer months. A jet boat is used to transport you on the river from one location to another. Tour duration is approximately five hours. Harvey Taylor of Canterbury Fishing Adventures has 35 years of jet boating, hunting and fishing experience and is a Member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association.

Full Day Fishing TourFull Day Fishing Tour
After collection from your Christchurch accommodation, you will be transferred to your Fishing Guide, Harvey Taylor and equipped with all fishing equipment and fishing license. Travel to either the Waimakariri or Rakaia Rivers depending on river and weather conditions. Both rivers contain brown trout and salmon in summer months. A jet boat is used to transport you on the river from one location to another. A picnic lunch is included with the full day tour. Tour duration is approximately nine hours.....

Top

Christchurch Train Journeys:
Arthur's Pass National Park and the Otira GorgeArthur's Pass National Park and the Otira Gorge

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from eastern beech clad hills and tussock valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west. The highest mountains have glaciers and surrounding them are tussock basins, flowering herbs and alpine grasses. At Christchurch, board the world famous TranzAlpine Train, sit back and relax on the train journey that will take you across the Canterbury Plains, wind it's way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge, pass over massive viaducts, through tussock covered high country before heading into the Southern Alps......

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour with one way trainKaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour with one way train
Spend the day getting close to nature. Travel by the Tranz Coastal train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately 3 hours by train). Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins.....

Top

Christchurch Skiing:
Mt Hutt Ski FieldMount Hutt Skiing Packages

Tailor-made packages offering you the chance to ski at Mount Hutt. Mt Hutt sits high on the eastern rim of New Zealand's awesome Southern Alps. With a stunning backdrop of range after range of snow clad peaks and staggering views across the patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean, Mt Hutt captures the essence of the New Zealand skiing experience. Mt Hutt arguably the best ski field in the Southern Hemisphere, because of its light dry powder snow which makes it a playground for skiers, in conjunction with its long season and reliable snow coverage. Mt Hutt also offers modern snow making facilities, giving the mountain a season from the beginning of June to the end of October.

Top

Christchurch Food and Wine:
Wine TrailWine Trail

This tour explores four of North Canterbury's boutique vineyards, Canterbury House, Mark Rattray, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs all producing a fine selection of both white and red wines. Mark Rattray, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs are all located in the Waipara area, well known for its warm dry climate and limestone rich soils, both ideal for quality wine production. Morning and afternoon departures are available throughout the year. Tour duration is approximately three and a half hours. Should any of the above named wineries be unavailable on the day of the tour, an alternative winery in the Waipara area will be included.

Top

Christchurch One Way Tours:
Southern AlpsChristchurch to Mount Cook
Depart Christchurch and travel through the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains before heading inland to the small farming township of Geraldine for a morning tea break. Leaving Geraldine and its rolling green valleys, the tour continues further inland as the road starts to climb and travel across the historic Burkes Pass. The views are breathtaking as you descend towards the stunning, glacial fed Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd standing in picturesque solitude on the foreshores of the lake.....

Christchurch to Mount Cook and WanakaChristchurch to Mount Cook and Wanaka
Depart Christchurch and travel through the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains before heading inland to the small farming township of Geraldine for a morning tea break. Leaving Geraldine and its rolling green valleys, the tour continues further inland as the road starts to climb and travel across the historic Burkes Pass. The views are breathtaking as you descend towards the stunning, glacial fed Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd standing in picturesque solitude on the foreshores of the lake.....

Top

Christchurch Extended Tours:
Mount Cook and flowering lupins in a fieldFive Day Great Southern Circle Tour
See the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this five day independent coach tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown and then up the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, before returning to Christchurch. Experience the majesty of Milford Sound, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel over the mighty Southern Alps.....

DunedinSeven Day Coastal Splendor Tour
Visit the scenic South Island of New Zealand on this seven day independent coach tour. Travel by coach and train from Christchurch to the city of Dunedin, then head to Queenstown and up the rugged West Coast before returning to Christchurch. The highlights of this tour include a scenic cruise on majestic Milford Sound, a tour of the Scottish influenced city of Dunedin, viewing the mighty Franz Josef Glacier and enjoying scenic train journeys.....

Lake TekapoFour Day Southern Discovery Tour
Enjoy some of the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this four day independent coach tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Mount Cook and Queenstown, where you stay for three nights, before returning to Christchurch. You also visit the majestic Milford Sound with a scenic cruise on this mighty fiord.....

Mount CookSix Day Southern Heritage Tour
Experience a six day independent coach tour of the scenic South Island of New Zealand. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Mount Cook and Queenstown and across to the city of Dunedin, before returning to Christchurch. Visit the Mount Cook National Park, enjoy a scenic cruise on majestic Milford Sound and experience the Taieri Gorge train.....

Three Day Great Southern Circle TourThree Day Great Southern Circle Tour
Experience a brief tour of the major highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this three day independent coach tour. Travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown and then up the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, before returning to Christchurch. During this journey, you will enjoy a visit to the Mount Cook National Park, view the glacier at Franz Josef and travel over the mighty Southern Alps. It is recommended an extended journey is taken, to incorporate additional days in Queenstown and Mount Cook, for a more relaxed sightseeing tour of the South Island.....

Top

Even more things to do in Christchurch:
More things to do in ChristchurchClick HERE for even more things to do in Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand's 'Garden City'. New tours, attractions and adventures are being added all the time. Please click here to see the full list of activities we recommend.

Top

Have we missed your Christchurch activity from our listings? Click here.