10 Tours in Christchurch That You Shouldn't Miss

It is only from the air that you can only appreciate the scale of Christchurch City's devastation and recovery following the 2010 earthquake. This 20-minute helicopter tour flies over the crumbled tower of Christchurch Cathedral, the new sports stadium and other signs of the city’s rebuilding as you listen to your pilot's commentary. Your 20-minute flight also takes you to the spectacularly scenic Banks Peninsula, then back toward Christchurch over the suburbs of Sumner and Redcliffs.

Inclusions: Live commentary from pilot

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Join us on our two hour Rivertrail trek. See the spectacular mountain views of the Torlesse basin as you trek through the valley to the Otarama lookout point over the magnificent snow fed Waimakariri Canyon whilst riding through on our high country farm. Stop for refreshments and fantastic photo opportunities overlooking the Canyon before we ride down the terraces, following a musterers’ trail through the farmland. This ride is suitable for all riding abilities and fitness but caters also for the more experienced riders with some opportunities for faster paced riding. Please note riders must weigh less than 120kilos (2641bs), be a minimum of 12 years old and wear sturdy closed shoes(running shoes are ok). All riders are required to sign a waiver prior to departing on the ride. We provide safety helmets and they must be worn at all times when riding

Inclusions: 2 hour horse trek with professional guide and all safety equipment (6:1 guide ratio), Wet weather gear if required, Local taxes

Exclusions: Lunch, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Travel in a small group from Christchurch, on a day trip to Aoraki Mount Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Visit the picturesque Church of Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo and admire stunning alpine views from turquoise colored Lake Pukaki. Savor a scrumptious buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel and enjoy a scenic walk in Mt. Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier. Visit the Alpine Lavender farm in a pristine environment of crystal clear skies; snow capped mountains, and turquoise colored lakes of glacial melt.

Inclusions: Approximately 3 hrs of free time in Mount Cook National park., Bottled water., Buffet Lunch at The Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook., Complimentary light refreshments., National Park fees., Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel / apartment in Christchurch included., Transport by air-conditioned late model Mercedes Benz Minivan.

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

As you journey from Christchurch, courtesy of Maossie Tour's extremely comfortable 4x6WD luxury bus, on your way to your destination - a fully-fledged working sheep station in New Zealand's high-country - take in the breath-taking scenery of the Southern Alps including sites from "Lord of the Rings" Middle Earth. Braided rivers, green pastures, forests, deer, horses, sheep, hidden tracks, and absolutely remarkable mountain scenery. Fully inclusive price includes pick up from major Christchurch city hotels, scrumptious special lunch, morning and afternoon tea, luxury coach travel including onboard WIFI and USB - and a lively, entertaining and highly knowledgeable tour guide who can relate all the history, myths and legends! As an option, be transported back in time enjoying enjoy a truly unique experience: a nostalgic but comfortable wagon ride pulled by some “gentle giants” - a team of Clydesdale horses - into the spectacular Aotearoa back-country highlands.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Lunch, Morning & Afternoon tea, coffee, snack, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel drop-off and pick up (selected hotels only), Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Clydesdale Horse Wagon ride (optional extra)

Visit four boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a wine-tasting tour with a delicious lunch. Departing Christchurch, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Torlesse, Greystone and Terrace Edge or Waipara Springs. Learn from your knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique micro-climate as you taste a range of world class red and white wines. Booking essential - we need a minimum of 4 people to run and you should be prepared to share your tour with others (Maximum of 6 per tour)

Inclusions: Lunch, Wine tasting

Exclusions:

Akaroa French Connection is a convenient service giving you the opportunity to take in the sights while our highly trained drivers safely take you to Akaroa and also tell you about the area. Our driver enjoy showing customers Akaroa and each has their own unique talking points about the area that they have learnt over many years of showing Akaroa off. Our bus leaves the bus Exchange at 8:50am and leaves the Museum at 9am. In the afternoon the bus leaves Akaroa at 4pm

Inclusions: Highly trained drivers

Exclusions:

Discover the picturesque Southern Alps, one of New Zealand's most iconic land features. Fly over the immense checkerboard of the Canterbury Plains, across the tresses of the braided Waimakiriri River and to the sheer sides of a steep gorge to touch down at Chest Peak. Sitting at just under 6,500ft, the peak dwarfs most other mountains in the region. Take in breathtaking, 360 degree vistas stretching from as far as the eye can see, including the Blockbuster backdrops of Castle Hill, the Lees Valley, Flock Hill Station and beyond. All our pilots proudly call Canterbury home and will share their wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes as you fly near their much-loved and noteworthy spots.

Inclusions: A landing on Chest Peak - one of the highest mountains in the Canterbury Region

Exclusions:

Enjoy the luxury and comfort of a top-of the range Mercedes Benz 4x4 bus as you journey from Christchurch proceeding into the rugged splendor of Banks Peninsula, You will really love stopovers at quirky Little Akaloa, Okains Bay Maori & Colonial Museum, and the award winning Barrys Bay Cheese factory. At your final destination, undertake a unique nature safari incorporating a wild penguin colony in their natural habitat, in the spectacular, award winning Wild Side Conservation area! Learn about the area’s native flora and fauna and Pohatu’s unique penguin conservation program. Be greeted by the farm’s friendly pet sheep and see wild White-Flippered penguins as Pohatu monitor nesting sites. Fully inclusive price includes pick up from major Christchurch city hotels, special lunch, morning & afternoon tea, nature safari, luxury mini-coach travel including on-board WIFI and USB & an entertaining, knowledgeable tour guide.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Morning & Afternoon tea, coffee, snack, Beverages, Lunch, Live commentary on board & local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (central Christchurch hotels only), Transport by air-conditioned mini-coach

Exclusions: Gratuities

This is New Zealand's only Helicopter Skydiving Experience Upon arrival at our Sumner Beach Headquarters you will undergo a briefing with your instructors before boarding the transport shuttle and being driven to the Garden City Helicopters private terminal at the Christchurch International Airport. Here we will gear you up in your skydiving harness and board the BK-117 Helicopter for a flight up over the South Islands Biggest City, Christchurch, out over the coastline to our exit point before you Skydive from the helicopter over the ocean finishing with a smooth landing in the sand on Sumner Beach

Inclusions: Skydiving Jumpsuit, Harness, Gloves (in winter months), Soft helmet and goggles, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages

Take time out to connect with nature and delight in a nature safari encompassing the wild penguins at Flea Bay. How peaceful is that! To complete your day, enjoy an end-of-day wine tasting (or non-alcoholic beverage) and afternoon platter at the very special French Peak vineyard.. Your journey to Akaroa takes in the stunning scenery of the rugged Banks Peninsula coastline and farmlands. Stopovers include the award winning Barrys Bay Cheese factory at Duvauchelle, and the quaint Little River Café & Gallery. You can also enjoy wandering around the French-inspired township of Akaroa (during the day, you will have a little over 3 hours spare time to wander in and around at your own pace).

Inclusions: Nature safari by local conservationists looking after a wild penguin colony near Akaroa, wine-tasting and afternoon platter, Air-conditioned vehicle, Coffee and/or Tea, Soda/Pop, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Gratuities