Experience a flexible tour of Christchurch, New Zealand, with a friendly personal guide from ToursByLocals. Your private tour guide knows the Christchurch area as only locals do, and is eager to show you some special lesser-known places, based on your travel interests, as well as the must-see attractions of this charming "Garden City."

Glide down the Avon, Edwardian-style, in a flat-bottomed punt. Walk through New Zealand's natural history at Willowbank and see wildlife up close, even the rarest of Kiwi birds. Include a taste of Maori culture for an experience that's authentic and unique to New Zealand.

Hosted by an eco-conscious local guide who knows the best-kept secrets of the city, you'll see the attractions that appeal to you and learn what locals love about living in Christchurch.

Book a Christchurch tour offered by ToursByLocals, and ask your personal guide about customizing your private tour to include exactly what you want to see and do. Go global — tour by

Christchurch

Start in Lyttelton and travel across the largest flat area of land in New Zealand, the Canterbury plains. Home to cropping land and animal based agriculture.

A Scotty B must do! Try a Kiwi delicacy at the Sheffield pie shop if you like. A meat pie is the ultimate portable snack and with many different options.

From here the landscape is no longer flat as we pass through the Torlesse Park, Castle Hill &amp; then onto Arthur's Pass National Park. We will stop in the pass, breathe in the beautiful fresh mountain air and either have some lunch or if you are still full from your pie you can explore the little village.

After this I recommend we visit the View points from the top of the pass and if we are lucky we might see the worlds only alpine parrot, the Kea. A few short walks like the devils punch bowl &amp; on the way back we can stop at Castle hill (Where some of the Narnia was filmed) then back to the ports

Adventure in the Southern Alps from Christchurch or Akaroa - Shore Excursion

Full Day Arthur's Pass Tour

Christchurch Day Tour with Private Guide...ex Akaroa

Be entertained by the birdlife, the lambs and sheep as well as the fabulous views from these ancient volcanoes. You will love the quaint villages, French history and rural scenery that will make you realise you have experienced a very special and unique corner of the South Island. In fine weather you cannot but be impressed by the light and colours of the lakes, sea, volcanic outcrops and grassy fields.
I will bring my knowledge as an ex-teacher and as a local of 35 years to weave the geographic features and the history of the colourful characters who have lived here into a series of stories so that you finish your day with an understanding of past and modern New Zealand.
You can't miss Christchurch, the "Garden City" and third biggest in the country!
This is a suggested tour. . . . . we are very happy to include other options such as Birdlings Flat (gemstone beach, Sumner Beach, The International Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Park (see kiwis), Air Force World, Wine-tasting etc. . . . time permiting

Cruise Ship Anchorage at Akaroa....you come ashore by tender

Barry's Bay Cheese Factory-short stop for a sample !

Akaroa Harbour (means "Long Harbour" in Maori)

Akaroa Harbour was an active volcano 8-12 million years ago

Summit Road (crater rim) above Akaroa Harbour

11 passenger seats, adjustable, PA system (hard-wired), air-con

Lyttelton Harbour from the Summit Road (1500ft)

2013 Toyota Minibus....11 passenger seats

The new Riverside Market....part of the post-earthquake rebuild...and a favourite lunch stop in Central Christchurch

One of Christchurch's historic trams passes the Christchurch Art Gallery

This photo of a White-Flippered Little Blue Penguin was taken from Akaroa Wharf

An option is The Giant's House....a garden of eccentric art in Akaroa....

The road from Christchurch to Akaroa provides many scenic viewpoints

Great Shore Excursion for Cruise Ship Passengers Stopping In AKAROA (but NOT Port Lyttelton)

Christchurch Full Day Private Tour from Lyttleton - Shore excursion

Pickup from your cruise docking wharf in a private vehicle and meet your driver-guide. Depart for your full-day excursion of Christchurch with photographic stops, scenic route.

Explore Christchurch at your own pace. Choose to follow the crowd and popular locations or do your own thing! I am here to help you discover and see Christchurch like a local!
Visit the Garden City and its highlights, commentary and photographic stops included. Should you wish to do the Christchurch Gondola it can be included and entry ticket payable direct on the day. . . .
Happy to personalise the tour by adding options such as Mona Vale Homestead and Gardens, Sumner Beach, The International Antarctic Centre(entry fee can be paid on day directly)
Make a request, the tour can be customizable.

Explore and visit Christchurch

Christchurch Full Day Tour with Private Guide

Did you know Christchurch

. . . is also called the "Garden City" and the "Gateway to Antarctica"?
. . . was named after part of Oxford University in England?
. . . had over 18, 000 aftershocks following the 2011 earthquake (finished now !)?
. . . has a harbour located in the flooded crater of an ancient volcano?

Join me on this tour and let's explore the area. I am a "kiwi" who after travelling the world extensively on land and sea chose to settle here over 30 years ago. I am passionate about history, nature and outdoors and this is an excellent area to experience a slice of the real New Zealand.

If you are interested in culture and history and in understanding how this city and young country have changed through the years I will take you on a fascinating tour of the central city landmarks, the Port Hills and Lyttelton Harbour. You'll enjoy the views from beautiful locations like the Summit Road, perfect for those photos to take home. We'll stroll together through parks and feel that special NZ nature.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula from above

The centre of the city is dominated by Hagley Park

My Toyota Hiace 11 seater has aircon, a hard-wired PA system throughout and reclining seats

Lyttelton Harbour from the Port Hills above Christchurch

Lyttelton Harbour lies in the crater of a 10 million year old volcano

Christchurch is flat on the Canterbury Plains

The Botanic Gardens in central Christchurch

The village of Lyttelton below is connected to Christchurch by a tunnel through the crater rim below us.

This driver was lucky when his parked car was demolished in the 2011 eathquake !

City Highlights Tour - Shore Excursion from Port Lyttelton

This tour is flexible. Can extend time if you wish / No other booking.

Here are some highlights of what to see and do in Christchurch:

Cardboard transitional church
Cathedral Square
The Riverside Market
Botanical Gardens
Art Galleries & Museums
New Bars & Restaurants on the Terrace for lunch
See Kiwi birds & other native animals at Willowbank
International Antarctic Centre - they even have penguins.
Views from the top of the port hills - My secret spot!
Take the gondola up the port hills.
Hagley Oval.

And many more. No trip is the same 

Private Shore Excursion From Lyttelton - Christchurch

The Best of Christchurch Half Day Tour

Perfect for couples, families, groups of friends or experienced farmers looking for a private, personalised farm experience .

This is the tour for truly experiencing all the amazing highlights a farm has to offer!

A family member will host you on a beautiful drive through the extensive property. Tours are kept as authentic as possible, showing you what is happening on the farm that day, during that particular time of year.

Whether you have never set foot on a farm, or are well experienced in the industry, the tour is tailored to suit your individual interests depending on what you would like to see/learn about on the farm. Please note: No tours on Sundays or Public Holidays.

A Working Farm Experience

NZ Working Farm Experience

Akaroa Day Tour with Private Guide....ex Christchurch

Join me on this tour and find out why Akaroa is the most popular day destination for Christchurch locals ! Together let's discover the incredibly scenic Banks Peninsula, with its extinct volcanoes and find out about the Maori, French and English history unique to this area.

I am a native "kiwi" who has travelled the world on land and sea and chose this magical area to settle down in some years ago. . . . . . there are not many places you can go skiing on Saturday and sailing on Sunday ! I am passionate about history and nature and feel my years as a teacher help me tell the story of this area which to me is one of the most fascinating in NZ .

You will love this tour because of the variety of beautiful locations we visit like the NZ "Stonehenge" and hidden gems with amazing views, perfect for the perfect photos to take home. . . . . . and you will gain will an understanding of the colourful lives of the people who lived here through a series of stories as we traverse this spectacular landscape.

Photo taken by client...Lyttelton Harbour

reclining seats, aircon, PA system (hard-wired)

This Little Blue Penguin was photographed from Akaroa Wharf

The Heritage Park gives great views of Akaroa Harbour

My tour vehicle is modern and clean with a hard-wired PA system, aircon and reclining seats for up to 11 pax.

Akaroa's cottages date from the mid- 1800s

The Cheesemaker at Barry's Bay Cheese Factory

Birdling's Flat has a remarkable gemstone beach

For those staying in Christchurch or arriving by cruise ship at PORT LYTTELTON (not Akaroa)

Lord of the Rings put NZ on the world stage when the films were released. You have a great opportunity to visit on of the most spectacular film locations here in Canterbury.

Mt. Sunday (Edoras) is a small mountain in the Rangitata head waters. This spot was chosen for its dramatic views of the southern alps as the back drop for Rohan.
A must visit for any LOTR fan!

Spend more time &amp; have a relaxing experience that large group travel cannot provide. Travel at your own pace and stop when you want to stop

Rohan Country in the Rangitata Gorge - Shore Excursion from Christchurch / Akaroa

Full Day Tour to Edoras (Mt. Sunday)

Pickup from your cruise docking wharf in Lyttleton by private vehicle and meet your driver-guide. Depart for your full-day excursion of Akaroa with photographic stops, scenic route.

Photographiic stops along Summit Road and down the Crater Rim into the bay areas at your own pace. On return to cruise ship quick visit of Christchurch the Garden City if time permits. Suggested activity is the Giant's House visit but if interested please advise and driver guide will incorporate it into your tour (it is NZ$ 25 per person to enter- pay on the day direct to your driver guide!)
On return if time permits a quick tour around Christchurch.

Visit the only foreign origin village in NZ

Christchurch to Akaroa Shore Excursion

Arthur's Pass/Southern Alps Full Day Tour

The naturally flowing, braided Waimakariri River is a magnificent sight as are the limestone rock formations of Castle Hill. . . . . I have always been fascinated by the rich history and stories of those who have passed this way. . . . from the ancient Polynesians hunting Moa (the tallest bird to ever live on earth) to the gold miners forging a route to the West Coast to modern day movie makers. Arthur's Pass National Park and alpine village are in the centre of the Southern Alps. The village is surrounded by native beech forests, waterfalls and steep enticing valleys with rich native birdlife. We hope to meet the joker of the forest . . . the kea. . . . NZ's cheeky native parrot and the only alpine parrot in the world (they will undo your shoelace or eat the windscreen wipers of a car given half a chance!)
What I like best about this tour is the variety. . . . . volcanoes, vast plains, the dry east of the island and the wet west (up to 12m. or 36 ft PA), beech and rain forests and snowy mountains.

The Kea....New Zealand's cheeky alpine parrot

Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains from above

Southern Alps from above (May....autumn/fall)

The Southern Alps are larger in area than the European Alps

Shore Excursion from Christchurch/Port Lyttelton (not AKAROA)

The ultimate wine experience

Travel to the smallest wine region in New Zealand, Waipara. It's weather and soil types offer amazing conditions to produce amazing wines.
Our Tours are totally flexible and we try and avoids big groups where possible. Visit at least 2 wineries. Sometimes just one vineyard &amp; a lunch. (Time dependent) Our Usual vineyards include Terrace Edge, Georges Road, Greystone and The Boneline.
We can stop at a Winery Restaurant for lunch if you would like also instead of Sculpture Park

An option visit the famous Iron Ridge Quarry - Sculpture park. Walk around and view the amazing artwork in this supercool space. There is also an option for a guided tour with the creator. (Subject to opening/availability)

Then travel back to the port/hotel

Full Day Wine Tasting Tour

As the Title suggests you decide which locations and what dates to tour. You are in charge of your preferred locations and you set the pace and dates as desired. Travel approx. 1, 400 kilometres. The price shown is an estimate. . . this will change if activities and accommodation are booked .
Included is all transfers from your pick-up to your drop off at airport, hotel or port.
Popular itineraries included: Christchurch to West Coast via Arthur's Pass and the Glacier region then into Queenstown and Milford Sounds or Christchurch to Dunedin and the Catlins then continue to Queenstown and Te Anau. Another is beginning your journey in the North Island: Auckland to Rotorua and Tongariro then Wellington. Add on the South Island and conclude in Dunedin or Queenstown. Extra Activities (suggested) and Accommodation are not included in cost however do ask for a quote.
Below are 2 examples with some activities suggested, chop and change your locations to suit your preferences!- Allow yourself to be driven!

Christchurch tours

Explore with 24 tours and 3 guides.

Scotty B.

$ 1,090 (USD)

Dermot H.

$ 1,200 (USD)

Marina C.

$ 944 (USD)

Dermot H.

$ 900 (USD)

Scotty B.

$ 890 (USD)

Marina C.

$ 1,270 (USD)

Dermot H.

$ 1,000 (USD)

Scotty B.

$ 1,095 (USD)

Marina C.

$ 1,823 (USD)

Dermot H.

$ 1,200 (USD)

Scotty B.

$ 895 (USD)

Marina C.

$ 7,162 (USD)

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Christchurch tours

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