TOP 10 Christchurch - Canterbury Day Tours, Trips

It’s not surprising that visitors to Christchurch see Tittle glimpses of England in this beautiful garden city, Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens are an absolute must for visitors – no matter what the season, take home the memories of brightly coloured daffodils or rich red and gold autumn leaves, Christchurch Cathedral, the Art Centre with its neo Gothic architecture and the vintage tram, blend easily with the new contemporary art gallery and the inner city cafés and bars nestled below the Port Hills.

Experience Christchurch – Canterbury Region

The Garden City
Daffodils and Spring blossom
Historic Bridge of Remembrance
Banks Peninsula
Christchurch Cathedral

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

Punting on the Avon River
Buy authentic kiwi gifts from the Arts Centre
Enjoy a picnic in the Botanic Gardens
Walk through Hagley Park especially in Spring and Autumn
Take the ferry to Diamond Harbour
Soak up the French ambience at Akaroa
Indulge in a spa treatment at Hanmer Springs
Take a horse trek in peaceful Peel Forest
Raft or kayak the Rangitata River
Savour the North Canterbury Food and Wine Trail

To the North -Kaikoura

Whales and Dolphins
Crayfish/lobster
Eco tourism destination
Spectacular coastline

Hanmer Springs and Hurunui

Natural thermal pools
Mountain bike and nature trails
Food and wine trail
Waipara Valley

To the South – Aoraki/ Mt Cook +Mackenzie

Lake Tekapo + Church
Ski slopes
Mt John Observatory
Mt Cook-our country’s highest mountain
Tasman Glacier

Useful Christchurch – Canterbury Resources

Christchurch official site

Christchurch and the Canterbury region of New Zealand have always been popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers a wide range of activities to suit everyone, including mountain biking, hand gliding, bungee jumping, snowboarding, jet boating, skydiving, paragliding, and 4-wheel driving.

For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, the region also offers tramping, hiking, golfing, fishing, swimming with dolphins, cruising, horse-trekking, and kayaking, as well as sightseeing. The locals are known for their warmth and hospitality, making visitors feel welcome and at home.

There are various accommodation options available in the Christchurch and the Canterbury region, from star-rated to budget-friendly, with package deals that include complimentary bed and breakfast, as well as activities such as river punting, hot-air ballooning, wildlife cruising, eco-touring, and treatments at the thermal pools. Travel agents are a great resource to help plan a trip to this beautiful region of New Zealand.

The Christchurch and the Canterbury region offer a unique blend of outdoor activities and traditional Maori culture. It is a popular tourist destination that appeals to both solo travelers and families. With so much to see and do, visitors will never be bored in this amazing part of New Zealand.

[title type=”h1″ class=”tfuse”]Christchurch – Canterbury Day Tours & Activities[/title]

Listing view

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

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The historic French Village of Akaroa and its spectacular harbour is just a 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. Here you can cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife on daily harbour cruises. Your cruise is packed with highlights including the rare, NZ native dolphin - the Hector's Dolphin, as well as penguins and other sea birds. And you'll see giant volcanic sea cliffs and hear about Akaroa's fascinating past. Cruises depart every day, weather permitting. Your modern catamaran, the 60 foot /20 metre Black Cat (previously the Canterbury Cat), is perfect for viewing the natural wonders of Akaroa Harbour. Our vessel is the largest and most luxurious on the harbour. Each cruise is fully narrated by your skipper who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife and history of the harbour. The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world's smallest ....

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Akaroa Swim with Dolphins

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Akaroa Harbour is the flooded crater of an extinct volcano. Apart from the huge and awe-inspiring volcanic cliffs, this also means that the harbour is very sheltered. A lot of the time, especially in summer, your dolphin swim will be inside the sheltered harbour. With Black Cat Cruises you will enjoy an incredible experience, swimming with some of the world’s smallest, friendliest and rarest dolphins. Hector’s Dolphins are protected in Akaroa Harbour by a marine mammal sanctuary and our cruise gives you the chance to see these beautiful marine mammals close up. Black Cat’s Dolphin Swimming adventure allows only 12 swimmers per vessel, so you’ll have more chances to come face to face with the dolphins We operate up to 16 cruises per day November – March (Summer), up to 8 per day in April and October and 1 per day May – September (Winter) With only 12 swimmers allowed per vessel, cruises are frequently sold out, w....

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Christchurch Sightseeing Tour

On tour we will view some of the areas affected by the earthquakes, see how Christchurch is preserving some of its iconic heritage buildings and hear about the exciting vision to rebuild and restore the inner city. Your experience includes a tour around central Christchurch on New Zealand’s only Open Top Double Decker and a 2 hour Tour on a closed top Double Decker visiting places of interest in greater Christchurch. During the winter months (May-October) the Open Top bus may not be operating on Tour due to weather. The Central City Tour will continue to run on the closed roof Double Decker bus. Open Top Bus highlights Hagley Park and Antigua Boatsheds Botanic Gardens and The River Avon Canterbury Museum and Arts Centre Christchurch Art Gallery Provincial Chambers Catholic Basilica Bridge of Remembrance and Friendship Corner Cashel St ReStart Shipping Container Mall Christchurch Cathedral and new Cardboard Cathedral Art....

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Coastal Pacific Train

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This memorable journey between Christchurch and Picton stops at Blenheim and the renowned whale watching town of Kaikoura. Along 98 kilometres of ruggedly beautiful coastline you’ll get astonishingly close to the surging Pacific Ocean and steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges. You’ll also travel through beautiful wine growing regions, across broad, braided rivers and the rich patchwork farming landscape of the Canterbury Plains. The Coastal Pacific will operate a winter timetable dates of this service are as follows: Operates 7 days a week (Monday to Sunday) to Thursday 10 May 2012 Operates 4 days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) from Friday 11 May 2012 to Monday 10 September 2012 Operates 7 days a week (Monday to Sunday) from Tuesday 11 September 2012 to Sunday 30 September 2013 excluding Christmas Day. Christchurch - Picton via Kaikoura Christchurch depart 7.00 am / Kaikoura depart 9.54 am - Picton arrive 12.....

Glacier Explorers

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An up close amazing encounter with icebergs, on a glacial terminal lake. Depart from Mount Cook Village outside The Hermitage Hotel. The bus will take you on a pleasant trip to the Tasman Valley, followed by an easy 1/2hr stroll through the National Park. Then board your MAC boat, and enjoy the ever changing ice face of theTasman Glacier icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Commentary throughout the trip by your experienced guide From late August to 31st May Daily departures at : 8.00am, 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm & 5pm. Glacier Explorers generally operates from mid August to late May - the glacier lake freezes over winter so the start of the season is subject to the lake thawing. Duration: 2.5 Hours total per trip - (1 hour on the lake)....

International Antarctic Centre

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Explore our Gallery area which is packed full of informative displays showcasing modern day Antarctica, including the Antarctic Treaty partners, the human impact on the continent, the wildlife and plant systems and Antarctica’s effect on the globe. Our Gallery area encourages ‘touching’ of most of the exhibits to ensure visitors experience Antarctica in a fun and interactive way. Visitors conclude their Antarctic journey with a 17 minute sound and light show "Beyond the Frozen Sunset". Filmed by Emmy award winning film maker, Mike Single, it follows a seasonal arc from sunset to sunrise, weaving in stunning footage shot by mounting a camera to the underside of a helicopter. This majestic audio visual show captivates its audience and leaves visitors with a moving experience of “having been there”. The nocturnal nature of the Little Blue penguin means that most people miss out on sharing in the magic of these little bird....

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Mt Cook Scenic Flight

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This short scenic option is the ideal opportunity to touch snow and experience the thrill of a helicopter flight. Sweep through the rugged high country landscape of the Ben Ohau Mountain Range to a landing site on a snow field high in the mountains. Enjoy the fantastic vista from this alpine setting as you look out to the mountains and glaciers, and down into the valleys that were carved out by glaciers centuries ago. Duration - 20 Minutes....

Sir Edmond Hilary Alpine Centre

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A tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world's greatest explorers, the centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe. Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand's first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery. Located adjacent to The Hermitage Hotel in the majestic Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is an opportunity to explore and connect to the national identity and celebrate the cultural characteristics New Zealanders hold dear.....

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REVIEWS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS

Dave, Marilyne, John, Mary and Anne, Canada

We are here in New Zealand and having a fantastic vacation. Thank you so much for all your hard work organizing this for us.

Gunawanto, Indonesia

We are back in Indonesia safe and sound. We would sincerely like to thank you for every effort you made for us to make our trip pleasant one. My family members and I are very happy to choose NZ-Tourism.com for our trip in NZ.

Liora, Izrael

Thank you very much for taking care of us in such a professional way, especially with the closer of the way to the Fox Glacier, and arranging our accommodation even before call. I will surly recommend NZ-Tourism.com to my accountants.

Doris, Switzerland

Back again in Switzerland, I would like to thank you very much for all you help concerning my North Island travel. I can tell you with great satisfaction, that everything worked out very well. All the hotel reservations, all the buses, all the shuttle transfers, just every detail was perfectly organized! Thank you so much. You did a perfect job!

Jason, Malaysia

We booked the Glacier & Coastal Wonder Itinerary which was arranged perfectly. You gave feedback immediately to all our questions. Our New Zealand vacation was truly memorable experience!

Christchurch – Canterbury Tours