Christchurch
Beyond Christchurch

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

Christchurch, New Zealand
Lyttelton Shore Excursion Christchurch City Sights
  • 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

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).
  • Comprehensive tour of Christchurch for first-time visitors
  • Magnificent views of Christchurch from the Summit Road
  • Morning tour departure
  • Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from Lyttelton port

What's Included

  • Port pickup and drop-off
  • Driver/guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

  • Fisherman's Wharf
    Norwich Quay, Lyttelton 8082, New Zealand

Start time

08:30 AM

Pickup details

Meeting instructions will be sent upon booking. Please note that the default time for this tour is 8.30am but this can be amended depending on your cruise ships arrival and departure times.

What To Expect

Lyttelton Harbour

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mona Vale

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sign of the Takahe

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cathedral Square

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Riverside Market

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Service animals allowed
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
154 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 154 reviews
Great guide, comprehensive tour to see the city
Becky_N, Apr 2024
Great city tour if you are short on time and want to see as much as possible. We had beautiful scenic views, a visit to a gorgeous botanic garden, and a tour of the city with our excellent guide. He was animated and informative. We had a little free time in the city center with good recommendations for lunch or other things to see.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora Becky and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
So interesting and informative.
PaulA_C, Apr 2024
The whole trip was memorable. Our driver was the best and most interest and informative driver we had the whole time in New Zealand. Thank you.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora Paula and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Very informative
Clare_R, Apr 2024
Very informative. Would have liked to focus on other aspects of Christchurch other than the earth quake impacts as well as being shown the aftermath.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora Clare and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Value for money
Molly_C, Apr 2024
Friendly and informative guide. Views were amazing and the garden we visited was absolutely beautiful. Value for money 😁
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora Molly and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Outstanding tour and service
Cabell_G, Apr 2024
This was a great tour and great service! There was some confusion in leaving the ship and by the time we arrived at the meeting point the tour had left. However, Leisure Tours staff had already called us and were waiting to get us to the bus to catch up. Robyn volunteered to drive us in her own car and waited with us until the bus arrived. She was amazing! Then Kevin, our guide took over and provided an excellent introduction to Christchurch, including explaining and pointing out the effects and recovery of the devastating 2011 earthquake. I highly recommend Leisure Tours!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
We had a great day
Milton_L, Apr 2024
Lanach Castle and the castle grounds. Kim’s knowledge of everything was very impressive as was his navigation of the curvey roads going up and down from the castle, having to control the bus round oncoming traffic
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kiaora and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
The historical progress of rebuilding the city after the earthquake. And how competent officials and citizens can work
Marlene_Q, Mar 2024
The incomparable beauty of the coastline. Clean air and turquoise water. So beautiful. The expertise of the tour in explaining the historical significance of the city of Christchurch and rebuilding process that is currently undergoing.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Marlene and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Excellent tour
Marcia_P, Mar 2024
We enjoyed our visit to Christchurch and learned a great deal about the city and surrounding area from our two tour guides (also the drivers) who were amicable, engaging and most knowledgeable about the city. We were most grateful to be able to have several hours in the city centre and then pick up a different bus for the return journey to our cruise ship. We were most impressed with the communication from the company on booking and we highly recommend taking this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Marcia and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Highly recommended trip around Christchurch
Margaret_M, Mar 2024
This was a great trip. Our guide and driver, Kevin, was very knowledgeable about the area and explained the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Christchurch and the subsequent rebuilding of the city. We had time at the end of the tour for shopping in the city before returning to our cruise ship. Highly recommended trip.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Margaret and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Kevin!
Lovely day!
Deborah_M, Mar 2024
Very interesting drive through the countryside between Littleton and Christchurch. Driver was very knowledgeable about the city. Pleasant day, even had time to shop!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Deborah and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Great tour guide - interesting tour
Dana_S, Mar 2024
Scotty was an excellent tour guide - really informative and passionate about Christchurch and the rebuilding challenges after the 2010 earthquakes.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Dana and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Scotty!
Enjoyable and informative
Mark_G, Mar 2024
Fantastic tour of Christchurch and surrounding areas. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting tour guide/driver. We were visiting from a cruise ship, and highly recommend this tour which covers a lot in a few hours. Thank you.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Mark and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Tour of Christchurch
Dean_M, Mar 2024
Very nice tour of Christchurch which had been devastated more than 10 years ago and is still rebuilding. The guide was excellent in explaining the history and the importance of the earthquake impact on the city. We were able to walk in the city area and do some shopping.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Dean and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Nice tour of Christchurch
Gail_E, Mar 2024
Very nice overview of Christchurch city and surrounding areas. Our tour guide Pete was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Thank you!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Gail and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Pete!
All about the earthquake
Millan_H, Mar 2024
Our driver, Kevin was really a nice guide and was very knowledgeable about everything, so that was good. Where we gave the tour 2 stars was about the information that was given on the tour and the time we had to actually walk about Christchurch. The entire tour was about the devastation the earthquake caused, which was absolutely heartbreaking to see and to learn about. As we knew we would learn and see about it, however we didn’t think and want to hear about it the entire tour. We did love the gardens we were able to walk through and that was nice to let our legs stretch. We only had an hour for the market/city of Christchurch and to some, that may be enough time. We found it very short and rushed and honestly I couldn’t enjoy the city because we were constantly looking at the time. We even left 2 couples at the stop who didn’t get back on the bus, but had left their coats and bags(so we knew they were getting back on). Maybe a suggestion would be to put the market/city part at the end of the tour, that way, if people want to stay and roam and learn more, they can but it’s their responsibility to make their way back to the port. Just a thought.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
It is disappointing that you thought there was too much reference to the earthquake that destroyed downtown Christchurch and killed so many people. However, it is an absolute exaggeration that 99% of the tour was about earthquakes. The tour starts in Lyttelton and the driver talks about both the history of the port and the geography, then you drive through the inner bays of the harbour and whilst enjoying the spectacular scenery learn something of the Māori history in the region. Travelling over Dyres Pass with views of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps you learn more about the geography and the history of Christchurch. You visit gardens and beaches on the tour and it is only when you arrive in the central city that there is focus on the earthquakes as the damage is still there for you to see and the rebuild that is taking place. Everyone experiences things differently, however, you only need to see the number of 5 star reviews for this excursion to appreciate that your views are well and truly in the minority. Finally the excursion you booked doesn't normally include any free time in the city, although we do try to include some free time where possible, so the hour you had was an absolute bonus.
Wonderful, wonderful Christchurch
Martyn_R, Mar 2024
Brilliant day, seeing the sights, including the recovery from the 2011 devastating earthquakes.. hadn’t been to Christchurch in a while, so it’s wonderful to see its character being restored, plagiarising a song, “Wonderful, Wonderful Christchurch’ superb tour guide, full of local knowledge that made the experience extraordinary - Lyttleton was pretty good too and the journey to/from Christchurch was stunning, with scenery to match.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Martyn and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
Great time
Ines_C, Mar 2024
Kevin our driver and guide was amazing. Offered lots of information about the area and it's history and took us to great stops even though it was raining.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Ines and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Kevin!
Fascinating tour!
Stacey_W, Feb 2024
Kevin was a wonderful guide! He was so knowledgeable and interesting. We learned so very much about the earthquake; the geological aspect, social impact, and long term infrastructure issues. What an important and fascinating tour!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Stacey and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Kevin!
Good tour and value for money and time in port
Mary_J, Feb 2024
We took this tour as a shore excursion from our cruise. Joseph was an engaging and interesting tour guide. We saw a lot of the region and we were happy we selected this tour for the time we had in port.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Mary and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Joseph!
Awesome Excursion!!
Tess_P, Feb 2024
The Travel Guide was AMAZING!!!! ☺. He was thorough and knew his stuff... We visited MANY unique locations...
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Kiaora Tess and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
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