AIRPORT TO CITY TRANSFERS
Supershuttle transfer between Christchurch Airport and central city.
HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Following pick up from your accommodation you are taken through the main city highlights including: Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, Thomas Edmunds former band rotununda and the Avon River, Town Hall, the Floral Clock, Law Courts, Provincial Chambers, Christ's College, Museum, botanical Gardens, Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard and the Bridge of Rememberence. After leaving the inner city if on the morning tour you will visit Mona Vale Gardens, Hagley Park then onto Riccarton House and Bush and the University of Canterbury, then onto the Sign of the Takahe which is an historic building offering superb sights over the city and the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. If you are on the afternoon tour you will travel around Hagley Park and arrive at the Mona Vale Homestead and Gardens. From there you will travel across town to the Port Hills, from Mt Pleasant you can enjoy city and beach views. Then it's onto the seaside suburb of Sumner where there is a stop at Cave Rock, then onto the Port of Lyttelton and return to Christchurch via the Lyttelton tunnel. After your tour you can either be dropped off in the central city or back at your accommodation.
Departs: Daily morning or afternoon.
Duration: 3 hours.
CHRISTCHURCH MUST SEE THREE
This tour commences at 10am and visits three of Christchurch's main attractions. The first stop is the International Antarctic Centre, located right next to Christchurch International Airport and twice voted the best attraction in NZ. The indoor attraction creates the atmosphere of Antarctica with a Snow and Ice Experience, while the outdoor Hagglund Ride is an exhilarating ride in a genuine Antarctic tracked vehicle. The tour then moves to the Antigua Boat Sheds for Punting in the park. The punting on the Avon River will take you through an area adjoining the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, as an alternative to punting there is the Christchurch Tram with it's 2.5km of track through the central city. The tour concludes at the Christchurch Gondola. Following a cable car ride to the top you will be treated to breathtaking 360 degree views of the City, Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula. The tour concludes with either a drop off in the central city or back at your accommodation.
Departs: Daily
Duration: 5 hours.
AKAROA TOUR
Visit the unspoilt old French whaling depot of Akaroa, you will travel to Akaroa via Sign of the Takahe, Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay and many other features along the way. On approach to Akaroa you will stop at the Hill Top to view the picturesque harbour. A visit will be made to the cheese factory at Barrys Bay to sample the fine cheeses. There will then be time for lunch (own expense) at Bully Hayes, a popular restaurant on the waterfront in the heart of Akaroa. Following lunch you have the chance to experience a two hour cruise on the Canterbury Cat exploring the delights of Akaroa Harbour. On the way back to Christchurch a stop will be made at a stoney beach called Birdling Flat on the Kaitorete Spit, an interesting selection of pebbles and semi precious stones can be found on the beach. You will then be returned to your accommodation in Christchurch.
Departs: Daily
Duration: 9 hours
KAIROURA WHALE WATCH
Spend your day getting close to nature, travel by road or train through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury to Kaikoura where mountains meet the sea. On arriving in Kaikoura you will join a whale watch tour; by boat or light aircraft - the choice is yours. On the tour you may view the giant sperm whale and often other whale species, dolphins, seals and the Royal Albatross. Lunch is at your own expense. Visit a fur seal colony on the rocky shores which surround Kaikoura, this stop provides a great photo opportunity. Wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure at one of North Canterbury's fine vineyards during your return journey to Christchurch.
Departs: Daily
Duration: 10-11 hours
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY - INNER CITY TOUR BY TRAM
This is an elegant and environmentally friendly way to see the city. The 2.5km track takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and encompasses many of the city's must see sights, including Cathedral Square, the Arts Centre, Botanical Gardens, Canterbury Museum, New Regent Street, the River Avon and Victoria Square just to name a few! Your driver will provide a live, comprehensive commentary throughout the journey, identifying points of interest, historic architecture, various activities and places to shop and eat - turning your tram ride into an entertainment experience. You can join the tram at any point and hop on and off at your leisure.
TRAMWAY RESTAURANT
Sit back in the luxury of an air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram and be treated to the finest service, cuisines and beverages New Zealand has to offer. Incorporate fabulous dining with breath-taking scenery and cultural heritage. Enjoy a five course set dinner menu including all beverages. The dinner tour departs from Cathedral Square at 7:30pm each evening.
CHRISTCHURCH GONDOLA
The 945m Austrian Gondola operation lifts you gently in the comfort and safety of a 4 person cabin to the top of the Port Hills, almost 500m above sea level. Once at the top enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. There's also plenty to do once at the summit of this extinct volcano, you can step back in time and discover the fascinating history of the area in The Heritage Time Tunnel or there are some easy walkways to explore around the crater rim and more adventurous mountain bike and cross country options (pre-booking advised). There is also a restaurant and café for you to relax and enjoy some of the greatest views in the world.
WILLOWBANK WILDLIFE RESERVE
This is one of New Zealand's premier wildlife parks, boasting one of the most complete collections of New Zealand native and introduced wildlife in a natural environment. Home of the fantastic kiwi viewing area that doesn't hide the kiwi behind a glass wall, instead they wander at ease in open natural enclosures, often only a few feet away. You are absolutely guaranteed to see a kiwi. There is a lot of interaction available with the animals, many can be petted and will eat out of your hand!
UP UP AND AWAY BALLOON FLIGHTS
There is no other place in the world where it is possible to fly from the centre of the city, in view of the sun rising out of the ocean, toward snow-capped mountains. Christchurch's geography and climate are ideal for ballooning, they provide a unique situation where you can enjoy a superb view of the ocean, mountains and plains. Ballooning is always done in the calm of dawn and depart anytime between 5-7am, allow 3-4 hours for your ballooning experience, the actual flying time is about 1 hour, after landing in a farmer's field you relax and are treated to a glass of chilled Methode Champenois and you take home a certificate as a momento of your ballooning experience.
INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE
Situated within the Christchurch International Airport Complex, the International Antarctic Centre is one of New Zealand's premier tourist operations having been twice voted the best attraction in New Zealand! Enter the indoor attraction through the atrium where characters such as Pom Pom the Penguin provide super photo opportunities, then it's onto the Four Seasons of Antarctica featuring a 7 minute sound and light show depicting the changing moods of the Antarctic environment, then step into the warm interior of Scott base and learn about what goes on at New Zealand's Antarctic programme, there is even a "Today From Antarctica" touch screen that downloads live images from Scott Base. The most popular feature in the indoor attraction is the Snow and Ice Experience which is a polar room with real snow and ice made onsite. A chilling -5 degrees, the Snow and Ice Experience is huge fun for all ages, warm jackets are supplied especially recommended for those who brave the -18degrees Wind Chill Machine! Experience the Antarctic Storm from Sep 03. There is a range of other informative and interactive displays in the indoor attraction to inform you of a wide variety of geographical and wildlife facts. The outdoor attraction is the Antarctic Hagglund Ride, where you climb aboard the amazing Hagglund Antarctic vehicle, buckle up and experience travelling across Antarctic terrain in this unique and exciting machine. This ride takes you on a rocking and rolling journey up and down hills, across a 1.2m crevasse, through a mogul field and even shows off it's amphibious capabilities in a 3m deep lake! The complex also features a shop and café and bar for refreshments.
BEST ATTRACTIONS DIRECT
This pass includes unlimited entry into The Antarctic Centre, Christchurch Gondola, Christchurch Tramway and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve over a 2 day period and includes transportation between all attractions in a Double Decker bus that departs from Cathedral Square every 40 minutes.
AKAROA HARBOUR CRUISE
The historic French Village of Akaroa is 80-90 minutes drive from Christchurch. From Akaroa wharf board the boat for your cruise, experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife including dolphins, penguins and marine birdlife on Canterbury Cat Cruises. A full commentary is included from the skipper, complimentary tea and coffee is included. Transfers from Christchurch can be arranged for an additional charge. SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS
There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin and that is the beautiful sheltered Akaroa Harbour. All equipment is provided and a full briefing on the dolphin's expected behaviour from your dedicated dolphin guide. Afterwards enjoy a hot shower and hot drink. If you don't see the dolphins you can go free again until you do. |
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