Top Christchurch Walking Tours

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.

When your cruise ship docks in Christchurch, benefit from a full-day tour that combines a half-day city tour of Christchurch with a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Take in the city’s historical landmarks and rebuilding efforts underway since the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Then head to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a guided tour that includes viewing of endangered kiwi birds and other New Zealand wildlife.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mount Cook (Aoraki) is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 12,218 feet (3,724 meters) and lies surrounded by some of the South Island’s most stunning natural landscapes. On this tour, enjoy magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Pukaki; pose for photos amid fields of lavender (summer season only); and hike through the Mount Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier.

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.

Get out of Christchurch for the day and explore some of the most majestic landscapes in the South Island on an easy small-group day tour. Leaving Christchurch early in the morning, you’ll head to the mountains. Stop to enjoy the views at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, and take short walks on the Hooker Track and the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand’s longest). See and do a lot on a full-day tour.

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

This is a superb choice for hiking fans. Spend a day exploring Banks Peninsula with the convenience of having a guide to navigate. After a morning pickup, you’ll be taken on a roughly 30-minute journey to start your walk. 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 enjoying a picnic lunch.

Travel deep into the heart of the Southern Alps on an easy full-day trip from Christchurch. Sit back and admire the views as someone else drives you from the Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Stop to admire the views of Lake Tekapo, check out the Tasman Glacier, and hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Plus, learn more about the area from your guide’s fun commentary.

Green Kiwi Tours offer private tours for those who would like a small group experience and the tour tailored to specific interests. This tour is most popular as a 2-hour tour, but can be adjusted to suit your needs. Learn about the history and culture of Christchurch from a local, passionate guide. Your local tour guide will point out popular places to eat and drink as well as local street art, gap fillers and things you may not notice on your own. It is best to contact us via email or our website to enquire about private tours, as we can offer a variety of times and days depending how far in advance you book. We also require a minimum number of people to confirm your booking. We look forward to hearing from you and organising your very own customized private tour.

Escape the crowds and enjoy an incredible day in the great outdoors, on this stunning guided Crater Rim Walk. Lyttelton harbour is nestled inside an extinct volcano crater. You will be met at Lyttleton Port by your guide, and transported in a 12-seater van to Sumner Beach for hot drinks at a cafe overlooking the ocean. Godley Head Loop Track is undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Christchurch, an undulating track with breathtaking coastal views, historic WW2 landmarks, and quaint little beaches. The distance is 8 km / 5 miles, which takes around 3 hours to walk, with lots of time to stop and enjoy the scenery. Morning tea is served at Godley Head, followed by a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay, a secluded beach, looking out over Pegasus Bay, and the majestic Southern Alps beyond. Seals, dolphins, and birds are often spotted. After the walk, your guide will return you to Lyttleton Port, or if time allows you will also have the option of being dropped into Christchurch City to explore.

Visit a working sheep farm in the heart of the Canterbury Region on this day trip from Christchurch. Enjoy New Zealand hospitality with morning or afternoon tea and then watch a sheep shearing demonstration. You can upgrade your tour to include wine tasting at a local Canterbury vineyard, where you can sip various vintages. Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels is included.

Amiki offer inner city walking tours that share the local culture in a unique way with international and local visitors. The tours weave through laneways, gardens and hidden squares, past historic buildings and land marks revealing gems hidden in plain sight. Amiki share an often-forgotten Māori and European whakapapa (history) and perspective of Ōtautahi (Christchurch). As keen foodies Amiki have combined their passions for storytelling, with the region’s rich kai (food) and inu (drink) offerings, connecting guests to local unique people and places.

Enjoy a half-day guided walk on Banks Peninsula, a spectacular extinct volcano only 30 minutes from Christchurch. Experience world-class views and see some of New Zealand's most stunning coastlines with an experienced local guide. Godley Head is a beautiful coastal track with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and also Lyttelton Harbour. It includes historic landmarks from WW2, an Antarctic cabin, and quaint little beaches to boot. The loop track is 8km / 5 miles and takes around 2.5 hours to walk, including a rest stop. If you are short on time, this half-day guided walk is a great option. Both morning and afternoon walks are available, see the highlights and be back in Christchurch in time for lunch or dinner.

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.

Make your way from Christchurch to Mt Cook without missing any of the highlights along the way. Stop at the beautiful Lake Tekapo (including the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd), have morning tea in the quaint town of Geraldine and finally take in amazing views of Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Along the way, enjoy fun stories from your local guides.

Private tour including lunch, transport and a local guide to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. This tour doesn't require minimum numbers. suitable for individuals, couples and small groups looking for an unique and personal tour. 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, or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders. Afternoon - Cave Stream It will take us approximately 45mins to make our way through the 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 trails in the area or sit and relax with some afternoon tea in this very peaceful landscape, instead of going through the cave.

Godley Head is an exciting and wild place at the far end of the Port Hills. From Godley Head, you will be treated to uninterrupted and spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and the east coast of the South Island. Rich in history and scattered with remnants of New Zealand’s WW2 defences, this is a must-do location for anyone visiting Christchurch. Join us and explore this unique and unforgettable area with one of our friendly local guides.