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Discover the picturesque village of Hanmer Springs on this full-day trip from Christchurch.

Relax and rejuvenate in the hot thermal pools, visit a sheep farm, ride a jet boat through Waiau Gorge and enjoy a wine tasting at a Waipara Winery.

You’ll be picked up from your centrally located Christchurch hotel to travel 90 minutes north to the tranquil setting of Hanmer Springs, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains and forest-clad hills.

After enjoying the excitement of a jet boat ride through Waiau Gorge at Thrillseekers Canyon, visit a working sheep farm to see sheep dogs at work and sheep shearing.

At Hanmer Springs, enjoy lunch at the Garden House Cafe. The tour continues to Jacks Pass into the mountains overlooking the Hanmer Plateau, or you can opt to explore the village of Hanmer Springs at your own leisure.

Your time at Hanmer Springs concludes with a relaxing bathe in the thermal pools in the center of Hanmer Springs village.

Your journey back to Christchurch includes a stop at a Waipara Winery for a wine tasting. You’ll arrive at your Christchurch accommodation at approximately 6:00pm.

Duration

8 hours 30 minutes

Location

Departs from Christchurch, New Zealand

Price & Bookings »

Discover the picturesque village of Hanmer Springs on this full-day trip from Christchurch. Relax and rejuvenate in the hot thermal pools, visit a sheep farm, ride a jet boat through Waiau Gorge and enjoy a wine tasting at a Waipara Winery. More »

Unwind in the sea air on this two-hour Christchurch Lyttelton Harbour wildlife cruise. You’ll experience the extensive local marine life including the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin – the Hector’s Dolphins also known as New Zealand Dolphins.

As you depart you will see the historic township of Lyttelton, which hosts a busy working port with a fascinating history. The “first four ships” arrived here direct from the Britain carrying the first Canterbury settlers in December 1850.

The highlight of the cruise is undoubtedly the location of the Hector’s Dolphin. The experience of the skipper and crew mean you can quickly locate the dolphins and spend time watching their antics. You’ll also see a wide variety of coastal marine bird life.

Lyttelton Harbour was formed 11 million years ago when a massive volcano erupted and the sea. You’ll notice longest lava flow on the peninsula, volcanic rocks and massive erosion caused by storms over millions of years. From more recent times you’ll see old shipwrecks in the shallows as well as a 19th century fort which contains a number of disappearing guns.

The two-hour Christchurch Wildlife cruise is fully narrated by your Captain and includes free tea and coffee.

Duration

2 hours

Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

Price & Bookings »

Enjoy this full day trip from Christchurch and visit the beautiful unspoiled old French whaling depot of Akaroa.

Travel by road to Akaroa via Sign of the Takahe and Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, Little River and the Hill Top. A stop will also be made at the cheese factory at Barry’s Bay, where you can sample some fine New Zealand cheese.

On arriving at Akaroa join the ‘Canterbury Cat Too’ for a cruise on the Akaroa Harbour sighting dolphins, penguins and seals. Prior to your departure you will be equipped with wet suit, mask, snorkel and flippers.

After locating a pod of Hectors Dolphins you will enter the water to swim with these rare and endangered mammals. Following your return to Akaroa village, time will be available for lunch (additional at own expense) and to explore the many fine craft shops and old French colonial buildings prior to your return to Christchurch.

Duration

9 hours

Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

Price & Bookings »

Discover the historic town of Akaroa and the magnificent natural beauty of the Banks Peninsula on this small group tour from Christchurch.

Be amazed by the spectacular views of Akaroa Harbour and the Canterbury Plains on the high scenic drive from Christchurch, visit a cheese factory to taste locally made cheese and explore Akoroa’s French influenced streets.

You’ll have the choice to join a nature and harbor cruise to see the rich variety of marine and bird life or to swim with Hector’s Dolphins, the world smallest and rarest dolphins only found in New Zealand waters.

Depart Christchurch and travel to Akaroa over the beautiful Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The high summit route gives glorious views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, the distant Southern Alps and the remote bays and farmlands. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village, the only French settlement established in New Zealand.

Visit the Barry’s Bay Cheese Factory for a cheese tasting of locally made cheeses, the only remaining cheese factory on the peninsula from a bygone era.

Next you can enjoy the quaint colonial architecture and wander around the charming 150 year old French harborside village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers’ history, art and craft shops and studios and al fresco cafes and wine bars.

Join a nature and harbor cruise on the Canterbury Cat. As the well appointed Canterbury Cat gently slices through the aqua blue waters of the harbor you’ll experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector’s dolphins.

Alternatively choose to join “Dolphins Up Close” where you can watch dolphins just feet away, get fantastic photos and go dolphin swimming. From the unique, specially designed boats you will enter the water and the private domain of one of nature’s most loveable sea mammals, the Hector’s Dolphin.

Found only in New Zealand, usually around the South Island. The Hector’s Dolphin is the world’s smallest oceanic dolphin.

Duration

9 hours

Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

Price & Bookings »

Discover the historic town of Akaroa and the magnificent natural beauty of the Banks Peninsula on this small group tour from Christchurch. Be amazed by the spectacular views of Akaroa Harbour and the Canterbury Plains on the high scenic drive from Christchurch, visit a cheese factory to taste locally made cheese and explore Akoroa’s French influenced streets. You’ll have the choice to join a nature and harbor cruise to see the rich variety of marine and bird life or to swim with Hector’s Dolphins, the world smallest and rarest dolphins only found in New Zealand waters. More »

Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch »

Enjoy this full day trip from Christchurch and visit the beautiful unspoiled old French whaling depot of Akaroa. Travel by road to Akaroa via Sign of the Takahe and Sign of the Kiwi, Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, Little River and the Hill Top. A stop will also be made at the cheese factory at Barry’s Bay, where you can sample some fine New Zealand cheese. More »

Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise from Christchurch »

Unwind in the sea air on this two-hour Christchurch Lyttelton Harbour wildlife cruise. You’ll experience the extensive local marine life including the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin – the Hector’s Dolphins also known as New Zealand Dolphins. More »

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 TranzAlpine Train winding it’s way through the magnificent Waimakariri Gorge. Join short guided walks to rainforests, rivers and mountain vistas and visit the incredible Castle Hill rocks. Traveling in a small group, maximum nine participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience. More »

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 TranzAlpine Train winding it’s way through the magnificent Waimakariri Gorge.

Join short guided walks to rainforests, rivers and mountain vistas and visit the incredible Castle Hill rocks. Traveling in a small group, maximum nine participants, allows for an intimate and  informative experience.

At Christchurch, board the world famous TranzAlpine Train, sit back and relax on the train journey that will take you across the Canterbury Plains, wind its way through the stunning Waimakariri Gorge and through tussock covered high country before heading into the Southern Alps.

The TranzAlpine is rated one of the world’s greatest train journeys and is 223 kilometers long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 meters.

You will be met at Arthur’s Pass by your guide who will take you through the National Park where short walks can be made to experience forests, rivers and mountains vistas. You will follow the old stage coach route and travel down the spectacular Otira Gorge, testament to the road builders of the 1860′s and the route taken by Maori in their quest for greenstone.

Departing Arthur’s pass, you will travel through the high country and a stop can be made to view Cave Stream where it burrows underground in an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a setting of surrounding mountains.

The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn and rain smoothed outcrops of limestone are seen from the highway and the more adventurous may wish to walk to the top of the rocks for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

The return journey to Christchurch will include a visit to the Waimak Gorge where the Waimakariri River enters the vast Canterbury Plains.

Duration

9 – 9.5 hours

Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

Price & Bookings »

Choose from a morning or afternoon half day fishing trip from Christchurch on the Waimakariri or Rakaia rivers. With all fishing equipment including fishing license included, travel by jet boat and fish to your heart’s content for brown trout and salmon. More »

Full Day Fishing Tour from Christchurch »

Enjoy a full day fishing with an expert guide on either the Waimakariri or Rakaia Rivers in Canterbury. Known for their brown trout and salmon, you’ll travel from one fishing spot to another on the river by jet boat. More »