Christchurch Botanic Gardens Attractions & Things to do

Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram! Travel on our newly extended track & enjoy this unique and historic way to view the inner city. Drivers provide a live and entertaining commentary. A full circuit takes 50 minutes, includes 18 stops and there are up to four Trams operating. Trams run approximately every 15 minutes (season dependent) and your ticket lasts all day as a hop on and off pass.
Once booked, please collect your tickets with your booking reference number from the booking office located in Cathedral Junction 109 Worcester St.
Please note our attractions do get very busy sometimes, especially if a cruise ship is in port and there may be a wait time at the Tram entry due to increased demand
Duration: 1 day.

Explore Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the serene Avon River, and Hagley Park, while admiring the city's Gothic architecture and the new stadium opening in 2026. Visit the unique cardboard Cathedral and vibrant New Regent Street.

At Glenafric Working Sheep Farm in Waipara Valley, experience an authentic working farm that supports two families across three generations. Watch a sheep shearer, interact with trained farm dogs, and enjoy a guided tour. Discover vintage tractors, learn about the farm's geology, and savor a picnic with ocean views from “Louise’s Lookout,” featuring a locally sourced grazing plate.

Conclude the day at an award-winning Waipara Valley winery, where you can taste Syrah, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir against the backdrop of the Three Deans mountain range.
Duration: 7 hours.

Experience everything Christchurch has to offer here. Enjoy parks, historic buildings, wine tasting from New Zealand's pristine environment, a farm tour, and lunch along. This will make your trip to Christchurch unforgettable.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours.

Join us for a unique and thrilling experience on a V8 Chevrolet trike as we explore beautiful Christchurch. Designed and built in Canterbury, our awesome trike is powered by 5700cc Chevrolet motor. It’s the ultimate in power and excitement.

Pickup at Lyttleton Shuttle drop off. Take to the Gondola(optional) for opening at 10am. Wait while you go up and down. Travel into the city and CBD trip around the city. Photo opportunities at lookout on the way.

Free time in the city.

Depending on how long you want to spend in the city the Art Gallery, Arts Centre, Quake City, Ravenscar House, Botanic Gardens, and Earthquake memorial.
We then meet up again and transfer you back to Lyttleton by taking you over the Port Hills scenic lookout at The Sign of The Kiwi Café. Photo opportunities from top of the hills.

Duration: 6 to 8 hours.

Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic view points on a half-day city tour of Christchurch. Wander the Monavale Gardens with pretty ponds and water features, drive through the city center with its historic buildings and architecture. Visit the seaside suburb of Sumner, and travel to the Sign of the Takahe to admire the spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Choose either a morning or afternoon departure, and upgrade to include the Intentional Antarctic Center.
Duration: 3 hours.

You can see the best highlights of Christchurch in one day with great, exciting stories.
We will take you to the “MUST SEE” attractions, landscapes, beautiful gardens, sights of Christchurch, and great stories.
We will take you to places you won’t find in the guidebooks!
Duration: 4 hours.

Ōtautahi, Christchurch, a city of exploration, where urban
regeneration, culture and heritage thrives. Constantly evolving,
giving visitors something new to explore. Take in views of the newest city in
New Zealand. See the lush greenery of the “Garden City” . Hagley Park,
Botanic Gardens & Deans Bush/ Pūtaringamotu, home to native bush forest
featuring kahikatea trees that are up to 600 years old. The central city a mixture of new urban precincts & old historic buildings that have
been restored after the earthquakes. View the Christchurch Cathedral as it is rebuilt. The red zone of Christchurch, once filled with homes now a
holistic project to connect people, river and land, now known as the Ōtākaro
Avon River Corridor project. Onto the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula to view extinct volcanoes making up Akaroa and Diamond Harbours.
A coastline view north of Pegasus Bay as you travel over Sumner and New Brighton Beaches towards the stunning Southern Alps and farmed Canterbury Plains.

Duration: 20 minutes.

A Half-Day Tour that satisfies all visitors to Christchurch. Recommended for travellers short on time and those eager to see the city’s top attractions.

Discover Christchurch as a first-time visitor. Interact with your guide on a private, small-group tour. Select a Half-Day Tour, allowing for additional activities to be enjoyed.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

A half-day tour for first-time visitors to Christchurch. Perfect for travelers short on time or those who want to see the city’s top attractions without missing a thing. Plus, get a chance to meet the iconic Kiwi bird, a rare sight in New Zealand.

Explore Christchurch in depth with a private, small-group tour and an expert guide. Choose a half-day tour for the flexibility to enjoy additional activities.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

This will be Private tour just for you and your group.
There will be no disturb, no noise.
You can enjoy the tour with your group.

You can see the best highlights of Christchurch in one day with great, exciting stories.
We will take you to the “MUST SEE” attractions, landscapes, beautiful gardens, sights of Christchurch, and great stories.
We will take you to places you won’t find in the guidebooks!
Duration: 4 hours.

The Green Kiwi Tours 'Explore Christchurch' Tour is an informative and entertaining way to get the express history of Christchurch!

From Maori and European history to modern day locals. From geography, culture, flora and fauna to architecture and the recent earthquakes, we cover it. As we unravel the the story of Christchurch, be amazed at the hidden gems of the city.

Join one of our passionate and knowledgeable local guides for the best express history of Christchurch City!
Duration: 2 hours.

See the sights of Christchurch when your ship is in Akaroa port, and explore the city on a comprehensive tour. Your Akaroa shore excursion also includes a trip through the beautiful Banks Peninsula and a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Meet the elusive kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird, along with exotic visitors including deer, wallabies, otters, gibbons and lemurs.
Duration: 6 hours.

Book your day trip from Christchurch to Mount cook by passing all the amazing stops like Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, lavender farms (Summer) and beautiful Hooker valley and Tasman Glacier valley with breathtaking views and tracking.

PAY LESS, ENJOY MORE!

We can’t wait to have you on board.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers.
Duration: 13 hours 30 minutes.

This private Full Day Tour explores complete Christchurch city from one edge to another with your private Driver/Guide.

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Flat-bottomed punts glide on the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. On its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Highlights:
• Sumner Village
• Port Hills
• Cardboard Cathedral
• Bridge of Remembrance
• Punting on the Avon River
• Botanic Gardens
• Antarctic Center (Optional)

Duration: 6 hours.

While your ship is in port in Akaroa Harbour, take a shore excursion to tour the scenic Banks Peninsula and visit the city of Christchurch. You’ll see how Christchurch is emerging from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake. Take a brief stroll through the city’s beautiful botanic gardens and admire New Zealand’s magnificent scenery.
Duration: 6 hours.

The exclusive use of the Tesla model Y means you can have any number of people between 1 and 4 in your party, and the driver/guide are all yours for the duration of the tour! There's no waiting around for others to get on and off a bus and our Tesla Model Y can go places difficult for larger vehicles to negotiate.
If you have a particular passion or interest, we'll try our best to accommodate that during our tour. Flexibility is just one of the things that sets us apart from others. On our tour of the highlights of Christchurch, you'll see so much more, including some of the quirkier things, like the 'living' street art, labyrinth narrow alleys opening into hidden courtyards and historic buildings concealing modern secrets. We've been in the business for over 30 years, serving guests from all walks of life. We know what it takes to capture and maintain your interest and we know how to show our guests a good time!
Duration: 3 hours.

Experience the grand architecture and beautiful gardens of Christchurch when your ship is in port in Akaroa. Your shore excursion from Akaroa port also includes a scenic trip through the Banks Peninsula and entry to the most popular attraction in Christchurch, the International Antarctic Centre. Enjoy the center’s Snow and Ice Experience, Blue Penguin Encounter and take an exhilarating ride in an all-terrain Hagglund vehicle.
Duration: 6 hours.

Embark on a captivating journey through Christchurch’s cultural and natural wonders with our curated walking tour. Begin at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, a lush haven boasting over 250 varieties of plants, a Victorian-style greenhouse with tropical flora, and opportunities for birdwatching, especially cormorants during spring. Next, pass by the Canterbury Museum, home to impressive exhibits showcasing Antarctic finds and Maori heritage. Continue to the Christchurch Art Gallery, which houses over 6,000 exhibits and renowned for its family-friendly activities, ensuring an enriching cultural experience. Stroll through Cathedral Square, a vibrant hub offering a vibrant ambiance. Lastly, marvel at the Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional masterpiece and recipient of the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, art lover, or architecture buff, this tour promises a delightful exploration of Christchurch’s diverse attractions.


Duration: 2 hours.

This day excursion takes us across the Canterbury Plains around 50 miles to Porters Pass (just under 1000 m and higher than Arthurs Pass) and into the Southern Alps. Mountain lakes and wide braided rivers pass through ancient glacial valleys. After about 2.5 hours we reach Arthurs Pass National Park and its beech forests. We drive to the top of the pass and divide looking over into the rainforests of the West Coast, then stop in AP village here for lunch.Time permitting we have a quick tour of Christchurch on the return trip and a short stroll at Castle Hill.
Duration: 7 hours.

This is a private small group tour for up to 11 people. The route around Christchurch and Lyttelton takes you over the old volcanoes of Banks Peninsula with varied scenery onto some of the smaller, less traveled roads to some uniquely scenic places. With approximately 6 hours 30 min from start to finish we will spend about 5 hours 30 min exploring points of interest etc. and an hour driving from point to point on the itinerary. We are happy to customise your tour to include attractions such as the International Antarctic Centre or Willowbank Wildlife Park (cost extra) , etc. We are locals and give an in-depth commentary covering the volcanoes, NZ and local history, earthquakes etc. and have been proudly sharing our back yard with visitors for over 25 years.
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes.

Take a guided Christchurch city tour when your ship is docked in Akaroa port, and visit a traditional sheep farm to experience life in rural New Zealand. After seeing the Christchurch city sights, your Akaroa shore excursion takes you into the countryside to feed the animals, watch a sheep-shearing demonstration and see sheep dogs at work.
Duration: 6 hours.

See the sights of Christchurch when your ship is docked in Akaroa port, then enjoy one of the adrenaline-charged adventures New Zealand is famous for on a wild jet-boating ride on the Waimak River. Combining the grand urban architecture of Christchurch and the exhilarating experience of jet-boating, you’ll see both sides of New Zealand on this city and river shore excursion.
Duration: 6 hours.

A unique shore excursion from Akaroa which combines a tour of the Banks Peninsula and Christchurch with a guided tour of the famous Giant's House. While your ship is berthed at port, travel from Akaroa to Christchurch via the Akaroa Highway affording some beautiful views of the Banks Peninsula. After a brief stop at the Botanical Gardens, set off on a guided tour of the city centre which highlights the earthquake damage of 2011 with its rebuild efforts and surviving landmarks. Here you'll make a stop with time to explore on foot. Afterwards, head up to the Sign of the Takahe on the Port Hills with some incredible views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, before heading back to Akaroa where a guided tour of the famous Giants House, with its stunning sculptures and gardens, have been arranged for your enjoyment.
Duration: 6 hours.

We offer an exceptional travel experience that combines comfort, reliability, and the excitement of exploration.

Tailored Experiences:
Our tours are designed to offer you the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty, from scenic landscapes to thrilling adventure activities.

Local Knowledge:
Our experienced guides are locals who are passionate about sharing their deep knowledge of New Zealand’s culture, history, and hidden gems.

Personalized and Flexible Itineraries:
We offer customizable itineraries, allowing you to select the experiences that match your interests.

Seamless and Comfortable Transportation:
Travel in style and comfort in our fleet of modern, well-maintained vehicles. We ensure smooth, worry-free transportation throughout your trip.

An Adventure for Everyone:
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, nature lover, or history buff, our private tour offers something for everyone.

Duration: 8 hours.

This is a Private Tour. We can take up to 11 passengers and as locals have been proudly showing visitors Christchurch and the South Island for over 25 years (see "E S Tours" Trip Advisor Reviews). We like to think our tours are small, friendly, informative and we look for the interesting back roads to travel away from most tour destinations and itineraries.
Duration: 7 hours.

Our expert South Island Tour guide will guiding you for 4 days. This tour is to visit the most highlight landmarks in South Island. This tour is based on private tour and possible to customise the tour. You can eat all what you want, you can see what you wanted to see, you learn what you want to know.
Duration: 4 days.

Our exclusive service offers you absolute flexibility to do exactly whatever and whenever you want.

Once you arrive after your long trip from home you can sit back, relax and enjoy as your driver escorts you around this fascinating country introducing you to guided local tours around different towns and natural landscapes, in English, Spanish and Italian.

We are Professional Drivers and qualified by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Also we hold a Transport service Licence (TSL) and we are part of ProGuide Association.

We can drive around all of New Zealand and our best option is to start or finish your trip in Christchurch.


Duration: 7 hours.

Embark on a romantic 2-hour private walking tour in Christchurch, immersing yourselves in the city’s cultural and natural gems. Begin your journey in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, where lush greenery and vibrant blooms set the stage for a romantic escape. Pass by the Canterbury Museum’s and hear about its cultural treasures before wandering through Cathedral Square, where historical landmarks and street performances captivate. Experience the unique design of the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral and conclude your tour with a leisurely stroll down the charming New Regent Street Precinct, filled with pastel-hued buildings, boutique shops, and cozy cafes. This curated experience promises couples an intimate exploration of Christchurch’s beauty and history.


Duration: 2 hours.

Exclusive Private Tour of Christchurch City Top Attractions that satisfies all visitors to Christchurch. Recommended for travellers short on time and those eager to see the city’s top attractions.

Discover Christchurch as a first-time visitor. Enjoy a private tour exclusively for your group, where you can interact with your guide and explore the city. Choose a half-day tour to include additional activities for a more comprehensive experience.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours.