Top Christchurch Climbing Tours

Travel the full circuit aboard the Christchurch Tramway, which departs regularly. Use your ticket to hop on and hop off at 17 stops and create your own sightseeing itinerary. Drivers provide live commentary on the landmarks of this South Island city. Bonus: children up to age 15 travel free.

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.

Take an aerial journey on the Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills crater rim and Mt Cavendish summit. At the summit complex — revamped since the 2011 earthquake — you’re rewarded with views of the cityscape, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. Upgrade for admission to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens including a caterpillar bus tour, or go punting by flat-bottomed boat on the Avon River.

Ride a train through the Southern Alps on a remarkable scenic journey aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. Enjoy views of native beech forest, snow-sprinkled mountains, the powerful Waimakariri River, and Arthur's Pass National Park from a comfortable carriage and open viewing deck. For getting the history and context of the landmarks along the railway, GPS-triggered audio commentary is available through headphones at every seat.

Fly through a series of high-speed ziplines on a Christchurch Adventure Park zipline tour that gets you high in the air for sweeping views of the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean. Zipline guides and fitted protective equipment ensure a safe, fun adventure through the Port Hills, where you’ll ride four dual ziplines that soar more than 518 feet (150 mt.) above the ground.

Catering exclusively for cruise ship passengers, this half-day all-inclusive coach tour of Christchurch fits in more than most visitors can see or do in a weekend on their own. Combine a visit to the renowned International Antarctic Centre with a narrated, air-conditioned excursion around several of the Garden City’s most historic and picturesque sites, plus learn about the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes as you travel.

Make the most of a travel day and let someone else do the driving so you can admire the views. This transfer-come-tour will get you from Christchurch to Queenstown via Tekapo and Mount Cook. Instead of just sitting in a bus all day, get out and explore Geraldine, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and other points of interest along the way.

Make the most of your time in port in Christchurch with a half-day shore excursion that takes in all the highlights. Explore downtown Christchurch, stroll around Monavale Gardens, and learn how the city was rebuilt after the devasting earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Continue along the scenic Summit Road, stopping to admire the views from the Sign of the Takahe, and stop at Riverside Market for a lunch break (own expense).

Designed for cruise ship travelers docked at Lyttelton, depart the port and head out to see a working sheep farm and the charming Christchurch City. Watch sheep dogs muster the sheep, learn about wool production and try some home baking. Then take in the highlights of Christchurch’s city center, seeing the rebuild underway since the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Adventurous travelers visiting Christchurch—this is the tour for you. Set off with a small group on a guided adventure towards Castle Hill—which is also known as Kura Tawhiti. Here, you can try out bouldering and rock climbing with ease, as climbing equipment rental is included. To stay fueled for the activities, lunch is provided before a visit to Cave Stream—where you can explore small waterfalls, and a limestone cave.

Hiking fans will love spending a day exploring Banks Peninsula with the convenience of having a guide to navigate. You won’t have to bring heavy equipment with you as a backpack, walking poles, and bottled water are included. Access scenic photo opportunities that you wouldn’t find alone, and hear about the area’s history. Highlights include visiting Crater Rim, seeing views of Pegasus Bay, and a picnic lunch with lovely views.

Small-group tour including lunch, transport and a local guide to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. Visit, country towns, mountain passes, alpine lakes and the amazing boulder fields at Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. A day trip from Christchurch City into the mountains and back again. Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti is an amazing labyrinth of giant limestone boulders. The area is rich with cultural and recreational significance and has been granted Tōpuni status “A symbolic cloak of protection”. Your guide will show you around, if you like you can have a go at bouldering and test your climbing skills, or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders. We stop here for lunch at Castle Hill.

The 30 min drive up to the climbing area will take you through some of Christchurch’s most affluent suburbs, affording uninterrupted views from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps in the west. Our climbing areas are scattered across the summit of an enormous extinct volcano that formed Banks Penninsula and Lyttelton Harbour. With over 2000 established climbing routes, Christchurch is one of the largest and most popular climbing areas in New Zealand. Your guide will set up the ropes and give you a safety briefing and belay lesson before you start your first climb. Once you’re feeling confident with the climbing systems your guide will review the abilities of the group and continue to set up some climbs that will be challenging, achievable and safe for the group.

The 30 min drive up to the climbing area will take you through some of Christchurch’s most affluent suburbs, affording uninterrupted views from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps in the west. Our climbing areas are scattered across the summit of an enormous extinct volcano that formed Banks Penninsula and Lyttelton Harbour. With over 2000 established climbing routes, Christchurch is one of the largest and most popular climbing areas in New Zealand. Your guide will set up the ropes and give you a safety briefing and belay lesson before you start your first climb. Once you’re feeling confident with the climbing systems your guide will review the abilities of the group and continue to set up some climbs that will be challenging, achievable and safe.

Morning - Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti is an amazing labyrinth of giant limestone boulders. The area is rich with cultural and recreational significance and has been granted Tōpuni status “A symbolic cloak of protection”. Your guide will show you around, if you like you can have a go at bouldering and test your climbing skills, or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders. We stop here for lunch at Castle Hill. Afternoon - Cave Stream It will take us approximately 45 minutes to make our way through the 594 meters of the limestone cave. Our route follows the crystal-clear water through the winding chambers and small waterfalls. Not interested in caving? No problem; you're welcome to explore the paths and trails in the area or sit and relax with some afternoon tea in this very peaceful landscape instead of going through the cave.