Activities in Christchurch & Canterbury
-
A
Gondola
The gondola whisks you from the Heathcote Valley terminal to the cafe-restaurant complex on Mt Cavendish (500m) in 10 minutes. Expect great views over Lyttelton Harbour and towards the Southern Alps. Paths lead to the Crater Rim Walkway, or you can gondola up and cycle down. Lyttelton bus 28 travels here. Secure a combo deal (adult/child/family $35/12/80) if you’re planning on also riding the tram.
reviewed
-
Alpine Springs & Spa
The Alpine Springs & Spa is open all year round with hot pools scattered amid quickly growing native trees. Private pools and saunas ($24 per hour) are also available, and spa packages start at $80. ‘Skate and Soak’ combo deals are available, and there’s a good cafe for coffee and cake, or a snack and something stronger.
reviewed
-
B
Black Cat Cruises
The waters around Akaroa are home to the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin, found only in NZ waters. If viewing the dolphins on a harbour cruise isn’t enough, Black Cat Cruises can get you swimming alongside the dolphins (assuming it’s not the calving season). Trips operate year-round and carry only 10 swimmers per trip, so book ahead. Wet suits and snorkelling gear are provided, plus hot showers back on dry land. Count on a 2½-hour outing including time in and on the water, and a $50 refund if you don’t get to swim with the dolphins. Cruises have around a 98% success rate in seeing dolphins, and an 81% success rate in actually swimming with …
reviewed
-
C
Antigua Boatsheds
Dating from 1882, the photogenic green-and-white Antigua Boatsheds rents out various self-propelled vessels for independent Avon River exploration. There’s also an excellent cafe, which is a great spot for brunch or lunch. The boatsheds are the starting point for Punting on the Avon, where someone else does all the work during a half-hour return trip in a flat-bottomed boat. There is another departure point for punting from the landing stage at the Worcester St bridge. A combination ticket (adult/child $30/15) is available that includes the Tramway.
reviewed
-
Thrillseekers Canyon
Thrillseekers Canyon is the adrenaline centre of Hanmer Springs. Bungy off a 35m-high bridge ($145), jetboat the Waiau Gorge (adult/child $110/59) or go white-water rafting (Grade II to III) down the Waiau River (adult/child $145/75). Other activities include quad-biking (adult/child $99/90). You can book at the Thrillseekers Canyon centre, next to the bridge where the Hanmer Springs turn-off meets SH7. Another booking office (Tel: 03-3157346; 37 Amuri Ave; 10am-6pm) is in town.
reviewed
-
Discovery Tours
Discovery Tours is based in Twizel and operates guided, small-group tours around the Mackenzie Country and Aoraki/Mt Cook, including hiking and helibiking, plus a popular two-hour tour (adult/child $75/40) to the site of the Pelennor battlefield in the Lord of the Rings movies. You can even get to charge around like a mad thing wearing LOTR replica gear. A shorter one-hour LOTR tour (adult/child $30/5) is also available.
reviewed
-
Explore Mount Cook from Christchurch
13 hrs (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
Travel by road on a full day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook, Australasia's highest mountain. Along the way you'll pass through the spectacular scenery of …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$239.82 -
D
Bone Dude
Closed until further notice.
Creative types should book a session with the Bone Dude. Allow three hours to craft your own bone carving in a creative and supportive environment. Owner John Fraser of Ngati Rangitihi ancestry provides a range of traditional Maori templates, or you can work on your own design. Sessions are limited to 12 carvers, so booking is highly recommended. It’s a 15-minute walk from the city, or catch bus 70.
reviewed
-
Black Cat
Black Cat operates two-hour Christchurch Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour, where you may see rare Hector’s dolphins, blue penguins and various seabirds. A free shuttle bus for participants leaves Cathedral Sq in Christchurch at 12.50pm. Black Cat also shuttles across to nearby Quail Island, and to pretty Diamond Harbour (adult/child $10/5; 23 times daily).
reviewed
-
French Farm Winery & Restaurant
The French Farm Winery & Restaurant is set in beautiful grounds with a south of France ambience. Sample French Farm’s chardonnay and pinot noir ($1 per taste and all crafted from local grapes) or unwind with an antipasto platter or Akaroa salmon cakes. In summer (late October to Easter) wood-fired pizzas are served alfresco from midday.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
E
Akaroa Adventure Centre
The Akaroa Adventure Centre rents out sea kayaks, bikes, golf clubs, fishing rods and windsurfing gear. For $39 (including bike hire) they’ll transport you to the top of the volcanic crater around Banks Peninsula from where you can ride downhill all the way to Akaroa. You could ask here about staying at Purple Peak Backpackers.
reviewed
-
Christchurch Big Five Attractions
7 hours (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
Want to cover the five "must-do" attractions in Christchurch in one day? You'll visit the International Antarctic Center, see native kiwis at the Willowbank Wil…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$167.49 -
Christchurch Hot Air Ballooning over Canterbury Plains
3 - 4 hours (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
See the sun rise over the Canterbury Plains on an early-morning hot-air balloon flight from Christchurch. The sensation of floating over the patchwork farmland …Not LP reviewed
from USD$274.08 -
Terrace Downs
Terrace Downs, 30km from Methven near Windwhistle, is a ‘high-country resort’ with a world-class 18-hole golf course. Take your pick from three restaurants of increasing sophistication, or escape the rigours of life on the road in Terrace Downs’ recently opened spa (open 10am to 6pm Wednesday to Sunday).
reviewed
-
Mount Cook Mountains High Helicopter Flight
by Viator
The premier flight over this amazing alpine region with vast snowfields, glaciers and a spectacular view of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Fly t…Not LP reviewed
from USD$303.77 -
Lord of the Rings - Journey to Edoras from Christchurch
9 hours (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
Journey to the remote and beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday; see how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital ci…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$171.30 -
F
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
Visitors have been soaking in the waters of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools for over 100 years. Local legend has it that the thermal springs are the fires of Tamatea that fell from the sky after an eruption of Mt Ngauruhoe on the North Island; Maoris call the springs Waitapu (Sacred Waters).
The hot spring water mixes with freshwater to produce pools of varying temperatures. In addition to mineral pools, there are landscaped rock pools, a freshwater 25m lap pool, private sauna/steam suites ($24 per half-hour), a restaurant, and a family activity area including a waterslide ($6). The adjacent Hanmer Springs Spa has massage and beauty treatments from $65.
reviewed
-
Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour from Christchurch including TranzCoastal Rail Journey
10.5 hours (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
Spend the day getting close to nature on this Kaikoura Whale Watching tour from Christchurch. Travel by road through the rolling hill country of North Canterbur…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$289.30 -
Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa
3 hours (Departs Akaroa, New Zealand)
by Viator
Make a date with the worlds smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins only on Akaroa Harbour. There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with Hect…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$57.10 -
Mount Cook Ski Planes
Mount Cook Ski Planes, based at Mt Cook Airport, offers 40-minute (adult/child $375/275) and 55-minute (adult/child $495/375) flights, both with snow landings. Flightseeing without a landing is a cheaper option; try the 25-minute Mini Tasman trip (adult/child $255/210).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Alpine Recreation
Alpine Recreation, based in Lake Tekapo, organises high-altitude guided treks in the area, as well as mountaineering courses and ski touring. The challenging three-day Ball Pass Trek between the Tasman and Hooker Valleys costs $650 (November to April only).
reviewed
-
Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise
2 hours (Departs Akaroa, New Zealand)
by Viator
Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife including dolphins, penguins and marine bird life on this Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.
Cruise on a modern 60 …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$54.05 -
Willowbank Dinner and Maori Concert from Christchurch
4 hours 30 minutes (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
The tour commences at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Here you will be treated to a truly memorable Maori welcome followed by a cultural performance with a Maori C…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$144.65 -
Arthur's Pass National Park with TranzAlpine Train Small Group Tour from Christchurch
by Viator
In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$338.79 -
Waipara Wine Trail Tour from Christchurch
5 hours 30 minutes (Departs Christchurch, New Zealand)
by Viator
Enjoy a 5.5-hour wine trail tour exploring four of North Canterbury's boutique vineyards including Mud House, Torlesse, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs, all pro…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$72.33
