Christchurch

Boat Tours & River Cruises

Our most recommended Christchurch Cruises & Boat Tours

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  1. Christchurch: Vintage Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo

  Experience Christchurch from different perspectives with a combined city tour by vintage tram, punt along the River Avon and cable car ride aboard the Christchurch Gondola. Climb aboard a classic, flat-bottomed boat for a delightful punt along the River Avon. Venture through the city center propelled by a boatman dressed in Edwardian costume. Set off from Worcester Street Bridge and listen to the live commentary about how the city was rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and remains fast-growing. See the beautiful alpine scenery surrounding Christchurch and its suburbs on board the Christchurch Gondola cable car. Explore the history of the region in the unique Time Tunnel experience, and pause for refreshments at the Red Rock Café. Marvel at the Southern Alps and Kaikoura Mountains, and get 360-degree views of the plains, mountains, city and harbor from the glass-enclosed cabin....

  Buying this combination made life easier and loved that we could chop and change.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, New Zealand, 8/8/2021
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  2. Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo

  Climb aboard the Christchurch Gondola cable car and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views across the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps as you glide across the slopes of Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills. See as far as the city and harbor as you ride up to the summit 445 meters above sea level. Make use of the facilities at the top, such as the Time Tunnel ride, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the region. Revive your spirits at the Red Rock Café before or after going for a walk or bike ride along the many nature trails. Take a unique sightseeing tour of the inner city aboard an antique tram as the driver provides a live and entertaining commentary. A full circuit takes 50 minutes and includes 17 stops, where you can hop on and off as often as you wish. Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Junction, Canterbury Museum, and much more.  

  Both great activities rather busy because of school holididay but overall a great experience

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 7/16/2021
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  3. Christchurch Gondola and Punt on the Avon River

  See Christchurch from different perspectives with a combined punt along the Avon River aboard a classic flat-bottomed boat, and a ticket for the Christchurch Gondola cable car.  Travel with a guide dressed in Edwardian costume, who will provide a live commentary as they punt you along the river. Depart from the Worcester Street Bridge landing site and discover how the city is fast-growing and rebuilding after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Blankets are provided on cold days, so don't let the weather put you off. Take a ride on the Christchurch Gondola cable car, and see the beautiful Alpine scenery surrounding Christchurch city center and its suburbs. Explore the history of the region in the unique Time Tunnel experience, and pause for reflection at the Red Rock Café. Marvel at the Southern Alps to the west, and the Kaikoura Mountains to the north. To the south lie the beautiful harbo...

  The views from the Gondola were spectacular and an amazing way to see Christchurch for my very first time, very relaxing ride and nice little walk once I was at the top. The Punt on the Avon River was very relaxing and the instructor shared a lot of history and had a good sense of humor. All round was an excellent experience and would love to do it all again.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, New Zealand, 3/13/2021
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  4. Akaroa Day Tour with Harbour Cruise from Christchurch

  Enjoy a day trip to Akaroa, a charming township nestled in an inner harbour bay of Akaroa Harbour on the Banks Peninsula. The tour begins with pick up from your Christchurch hotel. Head out along the road to Akaroa via Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth, and Little River. Pause at the Hill Top to experience panoramic views of Akaroa Harbour before heading into town. The township contains a host of historic buildings, craft and gift shops along with a multitude of idyllic photo opportunities. An optional lunch is available at the popular Bully Hayes restaurant nestled in the naturally picturesque setting of Akaroa Village. After lunch, enjoy a nature cruise that will showcase the delights of Akaroa Harbour. Keep a lookout for dolphins, penguins, and seals!  On your return journey to Christchurch, stop at the Barry’s Bay Cheese Factory to sample some fine New Zealand cheese. Your tour conclud...

  Picked us up in a comfy van. Very knowledgeable guide with amazing time management. Shout out to Grahams! Get to see some dolphins and seals and truly enjoyed the lunch given. Ordered blue cods and salmons and breads for starters. Perfect weather. Managed to walk around after lunch. All in all, 10/10. Really worth it!!

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/13/2021
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  5. Kaikoura Whale Watching Premium Day Tour from Christchurch

  Spend your day getting close to nature on a fully-guided tour to Kaikoura from Christchurch. After pick-up from your Christchurch hotel, travel by road through the rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury and the wine growing region of Waipara. Arrive in Kaikoura where mountains meet the sea and take in the tranquility of the area.   Transfer to a whale watching vessel for an exciting up-close encounter in an area world renowned for its variety of marine mammals. Keep a lookout for the world's largest toothed predator, the Giant Sperm Whale. Marvel at acrobatic Dusky Dolphins and a great variety of marine birdlife. After your whale watching experience, you have time to enjoy lunch; you can upgrade when booking to include a tasty and filling cafe lunch or alternatively bring your own. After lunch, visit a Fur Seal colony on the rocky shores surrounding Kaikoura and see these adorable c...

  Bus to the boat was cool, boarding quick and easy, commentary was great and thankful we got to see a whale.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 6/14/2021
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  6. Kaikoura Day Tour & Whale Watching Cruise from Christchurch

  Some of the most majestic creatures in the sea are waiting in the waters of Kaikoura and you can see them up close! Enjoy a cruise into the beauty of the Pacific, get to know the countryside, and admire the pure natural beauty of New Zealand. After pick-up from your hotel, your guide leads you out on a scenic drive across the Canterbury plains, sharing some knowledge about the environment as you make your way to Kaikoura. When you arrive in town, take a tour around the peninsula that forms its southern tip and look for fur seals relaxing in their natural environment. Once you've had some free time to explore, step aboard a modern catamaran and voyage out to meet some whales. Watch the seas for an up-close encounter with the giant sperm whales that frequent the coastal waters, and get a chance to see fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and rare wandering albatross along the way. After you...

  It was such a good day - would highly recommend! Our tour guide Alan was very friendly and informative, and we got to see two whales! It was an amazing experience and I’d really recommend. The only problem was that Get Your Guide said we should meet at 8am (and to be there at least 15 mins early) but the actual meeting time was 8.30am. Bear that in mind!

  Reviewed by Alison, 3/9/2020
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  7. Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbors (Lyttelton & Akaroa)

  From Lyttelton, the tour travels around the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour, Corsair Bay, Cass Bay, Rapaki and Governor’s Bay. You'll then travel over Gebbies Pass and onto the Akaroa Highway stopping on route at Birdlings Flat. Birdlings Flat is a shingle beach at the tip of Banks Peninsula, affording great views of this rugged southern coastline. After you will stop at the Akaroa hilltop which affords a magnificent view of the entire Akaroa Harbour and fantastic photo opportunity. On arrival in Akaroa, join the Canterbury Cat for a two-hour nature cruise on the Akaroa Harbour. This full commentary cruise of the spectacular harbor features a host of marine life. You will normally see the rare and endangered Hector’s Dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and the Little Blue Penguin, as well as a number of native marine birds that populate this coastline. Following the cruise, there will be ti...

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  8. Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sights & Sheep Farm

  Experience rural New Zealand on this shore excursion. Visit a working sheep farm and watch the sheepdogs round up the sheep ready to shear, with morning or afternoon tea in the woolshed. You will learn about the different sheep breeds and their wool and how the wool is packed and graded. You will also enjoy some fine home baking. On your return to Christchurch you will be given a brief tour of the city center - once with its historic buildings and architecture - now heavily destroyed and badly damaged by the Earthquake hitting the city in February 2011. With the rebuild underway, you will be able to see the cities new architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic viewpoints on this half-day city tour. Wander the Monavale Gardens with its pretty ponds and water features, visit the botanical gardens in the central city and the seaside suburb of Sumner. Travel to the Sign of the Takahe to adm...

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  9. South Island: Great Southern Circle 5-Day Guided Tour

  Day 1: Christchurch-Mount Cook-Queenstown On the first day you will travel by coach from Christchurch via Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook National Park. Arrive at the Hermitage Mount Cook early afternoon, where you can consider an optional scenic flight to marvel at the incredible alpine scenery. Mid-afternoon, continue to Queenstown via the Lindas Pass, Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, and Kawerau Gorge before staying overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar.  Day 2: Milford Sound Day Trip Travel by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Join a Milford Sound nature cruise to explore the wonder of the majestic fjord before returning to Queenstown where you will stay overnight at the Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar. Day 3: Queenstown Enjoy a free day in Queenstown to explore the township o...

  Can be expanded to 7 days for an extra day in Queenstown and an overnight stay at Mt. Cook.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 9/12/2019
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  10. Lyttelton Shore Excursion: City Sights & Antarctic Centre

  Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic viewpoints on a half-day city tour of Christchurch. Wander the Monavale Gardens with its pretty ponds and water features, then drive through the city center - once with its historic buildings and architecture - now heavily destroyed and badly damaged by the Earthquake hitting the city in February 2011. See for yourself both the destruction of the central city and the rebuild that is taking place. You will also visit the botanical gardens in the central city and the seaside suburb of Sumner. Travel to the Sign of the Takahe to admire the spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. The tour then moves on to The International Antarctic Center: a must-see attraction in Christchurch. This features a recreation of the atmosphere of Antarctica with a snow and ice experience and Antarctic Storm, the Little B...