Top Christchurch Rail Tours

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Visit three boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a half-day wine-tasting tour with optional lunch. Departing Christchurch, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines and Waipara Springs. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a Kaikoura whale-watching cruise. Look for impressive sperm whales along with migrating humpbacks and southern right whales, and search the waters for orcas and other dolphins as an experienced guide shares informative commentary. Visit a New Zealand fur seal colony on land, glimpse the snowy peaks of the Kaikoura Ranges and top off your full-day tour with a wine-tasting in North Canterbury. Includes optional lunch, with round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch to the picturesque town of Kaikoura.

Travel by TranzAlpine railway to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on this day trip from Christchurch.  An informative guide takes you on a minivan tour of Arthur's Pass, including short rain forest walks past rivers to mountain vistas at Castle Hill. Enjoy a hotel lunch and light refreshments before the return trip via Waimak Gorge. This small-group tour is limited to ten participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

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).

View the highlights of Christchurch on a 3-hour city sightseeing tour that introduces you to the architecture, gardens and waterways of ‘The Garden City.’ You’ll drive past significant landmarks in the city center; meander around ponds and perennial gardens at Mona Vale Gardens; visit the seaside enclave of Sumner; and marvel at the vista over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps from the ‘Sign of the Takahe.’ Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and upgrade to include the International Antarctic Center with an optional Hagglund vehicle ride.

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.

Learn about Antarctic landscapes, wildlife and explorers with tickets to the International Antarctic Center in Christchurch, an award-winning experience that combines fun and education. Try to weather a harsh Antarctic storm, then hear about life on the remote Scott Base and spend some quality time with the Center’s adorable Little Blue penguins. Enjoy Hagglund rides and 4D shows, and enter the 'cuddle zone,' where you can meet, snuggle and pet the fluffy Huskies that explorers historically used to pull their Antarctic dogsleds.

Begin your amazing day with a pickup from one of our very friendly team members. Sit down and relax for the 45-min drive to the Waipara Region. Waipara is a picturesque valley in the north of Christchurch. This is one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions where pinot noir and riesling grapes do very well here. We will visit a series of cellars and tasting rooms, which may include Waipara Hills, Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, and Torlesse Wines (wineries are subject to change without notice depending on availability). We are all about the experience, so we want to make sure that you have 100% worry-free tastings of NZ's finest wine. Lunch, tastings, and snacks and photographer are included so all you need to do is join us, seat and enjoy your day. We are super flexible and the day is all about you. Want to make a stop or do something extra just let us know With Cheeky Wine Tours you will alwyas See More, Do More & Spend Less

Arthurs Pass located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You will be traveling on the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing remarkable landscapes. This tour highlights an example of great engineering, spectacular waterfalls, and famous filming locations. The day will begin with a collection from your chosen accommodation before we hit the road towards Arthur’s pass, our knowledgeable and friendly guide will point out those stunning views along the way. While on this tour with us you will see a variety of green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest and ice-fed lakes and rivers! There are plenty of stops along the route, so we won’t be spending all day in the van although it is pretty comfy. Of course, we will also stop at those must-see Instagram worthy spots too! Before taking the world-famous TranzAlpine back towards the city.

Experience some of the South Island’s most majestic mountain landscapes on this small-group day tour across the Southern Alps. Ride the scenic TranzAlpine train from Christchurch, admiring the views from the large windows and viewing carriage. Stop at Arthurs Pass National Park to stretch your legs on a short hike among the meadows and mountains. Relax over a home-made picnic. Return to Christchurch the same day by car.

Arthurs Pass located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You will be traveling on the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing remarkable landscapes. This tour highlights an example of great engineering, spectacular waterfalls, and famous filming locations. The day will begin with a collection from your chosen accommodation before we hit the road towards Arthur’s pass, our knowledgeable and friendly guide will point out those stunning views along the way. While on this tour with us you will see a variety of green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest and ice-fed lakes and rivers! There are plenty of stops along the route, Including a fantastic jet boat experience. On the return to Christchurch you will hop aboard world-famous TranzAlpine back towards the city. Of course, we will also stop at those must-see Instagram worthy spots too along the way

Gorgeous fiords, magnificent glaciers and other scenic landscapes of the South Island comprise this 6-day semi-independent tour by narrated coach and railway. Travel round-trip from Christchurch and climb aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway and TranzAlpine passenger trains — two of New Zealand's  top-rated scenic rail routes. Catch a complimentary shuttle to the Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier lookout point, cruise on Milford Sound, and ride the Queenstown Skyline Gondola above Lake Wakatipu. Overnight stays allow for plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.

See the South Island by coach and railway on a semi-independent 5-day tour, traveling round-trip from Christchurch. Hear informative commentary on your sightseeing coach, gaze at the scenic Southern Alps while aboard the TranzAlpine train, and visit the World Heritage–listed Fiordland on a Milford Sound cruise with lunch. Overnight stays in Fox Glacier and Queenstown allow for plenty of free time to explore New Zealand’s magnificent glaciers and national parks.

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. 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. Accommodation is included on the last night of your tour, but we can also book a few extra nights for you if you would like to extend your stay.