Banks Peninsula

Enjoy a memorable sea-kayaking experience from Akaroa with two departure options. No experience is necessary because the trips are run in settled safe conditions by an experienced and knowledgeable guide.  Depart from Akaroa for a scenic drive in a 4WD minivan over the crater rim of the Akaroa volcano to Pohatu Flea Bay. Learn about the region from your local guide and, during the afternoon trip, stop for photo opportunities along the way. Then, it is time to gear up and climb into the double kayaks. Your safety is the top priority and the experience can be mind-blowing with the right sea conditions. Explore the outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve and marvel at its spectacular towering cliffs, rock stacks, reefs, and deep sea caves. Flea Bay Island and the impressive island arch can be reached in settled sea conditions. Marvel at the diverse wildlife and marine species such as penguins, seals, various seabirds, and possibly the world’s smallest dolphin.

Join a guided walk on Banks Peninsula, an amazing outdoor playground for everybody visiting Christchurch. No more than a 30-minute ride from Christchurch city, enjoy an exhilarating walk around the Crater Rim Track surrounding the caldera of the ancient volcano. The walk provides the opportunity to see and experience New Zealand at its very best. You can choose between a shared walking tour or a private guided walking tour, with pick-up from Christchurch City or Lyttelton Port. On the drive to Taylors Mistake Beach where the walk begins, listen to your guide's entertaining tales of the history of Christchurch and learn about the people who live here. Hot drinks will be provided at a local café as you prepare your hiking equipment with your guide, and receive a lunch box and refreshments before the walk commences. Godley Head is undoubtedly one of Chrsitchurch's best hikes, a well-maintained and undulating 8 km / 5-mile loop track that takes around 3 hours to walk with lots of time to immerse yourself in the stunning natural surroundings of New Zealand. Highlights include historic WW2 Gun Emplacements, an Antarctic Cabin, and a penguin colony. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, and the chance to hear more about the history of the area. Take a pause from the walk to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at picturesque Boulder Bay, a quaint beach that can only be reached by foot. Marvel at the abundant local bird and marine life in the area while you enjoy your meal. After lunch, join your guide on the walk back to your transportation for a relaxing drive back to your starting point.

Join us for a wildlife tour that explores the spectacular volcanic coastline and abundant wildlife of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa. Our tour numbers are kept limited, offering you a small and intimate tour that will take you where others can’t. Some of the wildlife you’ll get to see include little blue penguins and an array of seabirds. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew love meeting and talking with our guests and Scruffy, our friendly boat dog, joins us on afternoon trips! Tony, a real Kiwi, has been exploring the waters around the Peninsula since the 1960s. He’ll entertain you with his the stories of his adventures and share his enthusiasm for this wonderful environment and stunning wildlife. Our characterful and comfortable boat - Wairiri, is a 41-foot Kauri Launch built in 1964. Our tours specialise in small groups and enough space to move around the boat for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities! Tony often still has a lobster pot out and we pull it up on some of our trips. We never know what we find in it: Lobster, octopus, conger eel, starfish and sand sharks are just a few of the creatures we might have caught.

Join Night Awe, Akaroa's premier stargazing experience, for an exclusive celestial adventure. Our expert astronomers will guide you on a journey through the southern night sky, exploring the universe's secrets in the darkest skies of Akaroa. Meet your guide at Akaroa Heritage Park's car park (280 Long Bay Road - Akaroa 7583) 10 minutes before your tour departure. As the stars twinkle to life, follow your guide to a secluded spot, far from light pollution, where the universe reveals its magic. With a maximum of 10 participants, enjoy personalized attention and guidance from our expert astronomers. Observe the stars, planets, and celestial bodies through naked eye, binoculars, and telescope, gaining a deeper understanding of the cosmos. Our expert guides will regale you with enchanting stories of astronomy, mythology, and science, crafting a narrative that's both informative and captivating. Prepare for moments of wonder, awe, and surprise as you discover the universe's secrets. Remember to bring an extra layer, as temperatures can drop to single digits. Enclosed shoes are recommended for comfort. Join Night Awe for an unforgettable journey through the stars, and let the universe's magic leave you starstruck and inspired.

Discover the city of Christchurch from above on a scenic helicopter flight. The city is known for its English heritage and fondly referred to as the Garden City due to its abundance of parks and trees. Observe the lush banks of the serpentine Avon River and the beautiful botanical gardens, which are a delight to see from above. Your expert pilots will inform and entertain you with all the latest facts and points of interest such as the Cathedral, new landmarks including the library, and the vision for the future of this thriving city. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Banks Peninsula which is formed from three now dormant volcanoes, where you will also see the busy Port of Lyttelton. On the return leg enjoy a bird’s eye view of the estuary and coastline before you return via the seaside suburbs of Sumner and Redcliffs.

Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Christchurch or the port in Lyttelton. Drive to the Banks Peninsula, and learn about how an enormous extinct volcano shaped the rugged landscape. Visit the small settlements around Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbours, and learn about the local history and culture from your guide. Stop to try the local cuisine, shop for souvenirs, or admire the local artworks. For those more active, choose to take one of the bush and coastal walks available along the way. Finally, return to Christchurch or Lyttelton at the end of the day.

Embark on a breathtaking journey to explore our closest star, the Sun, with our Solar Explorer tour! Enjoy Akaroa's first and only daytime stargazing experience. Fully outdoor guided tour, our Solar Explorer include solarscope observations and expert commentary from our astronomy guide. Small group tour, maximum 8 participants. Meet your astronomy guide 5 minutes before your tour departure at Akaroa Lighthouse (145 Beach Road - Akaroa 7520). Follow him on a stellar journey full of wonder and discoveries.

Departing Christchurch City, this tour follows the story of Harry Al and his grand vision to create a splendid walking tour from Christchurch to Akaroa in the early 1900s. Although Harry died before the track could be completed, the section from Christchurch to Packhorse Hut captures the stunning scenery and dramatic landscape of Banks Peninsula and Lyttleton Harbour. After being collected from town, your tour travels up through the affluent suburbs of Cashmere. A short stop at "the Sign of the Tahakhe" is an excellent place to snap a picture overlooking Christchurch, before you drive up to the second stop at the Sign of the Kiwi. Following the Sign of the Kiwi its a short drive along Summit Road to the Sign of the Bellbird, where your guide will provide morning tea. After morning tea your tour continues along the summit for another 15 minites before reaching Gebbies Pass. An 11-kilometer hike will then comprise your return journey, during which you will stop at Packhorse Hut for lunch. After completing the walk the return journey follows the coastal road around Lyttleton Harbour, passing through the small settlement of Gavernors Bay before heading up over the port hills and back to Christchurch.

The day begins with a departure from Christchurch, heading through New Zealand's second-longest road tunnel until you arrive in Lyttelton. Enjoy some free time here to explore the historic port town, which is steeped in Antarctic exploration history. Leave Lyttelton via the exceedingly steep and narrow side streets, stopping briefly at the historic Timeball Station and the lookout on Evans Pass. Follow Evens Pass over the Port Hills and down onto Sumner Beach, where your guide lays out a refreshing morning tea. A short drive from Sumner Village brings you to Taylors Mistake Beach. From here, set out on the walking tour of Godley Head, which follows a well-formed loop track of approximately 8 km (3-hours). From Taylors Mistake Beach, the coastal track climbs a small hill before traversing above scenic cliffs. Descend onto a small rocky section of the coast, home to the rare White Flippered Penguin (only found in 2 places in New Zealand). The visit to the penguin colony is optional. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, lunch is provided at Boulder Bay or Godley Head. After lunch, spend some more free time discovering the remnants of the WWII defences. The location offers excellent photographic opportunities with uninterrupted views of Lyttelton Harbor, Banks Peninsula, and Christchurch City. On the return journey back to Taylors Mistake Beach, your guide explains the use of the military outpost at Godley Head and New Zealand's involvement in WWII. Finally, the drive back from Taylors Mistake to Christchurch passes through Sumner Village and along the estuary before reaching the inner city, where you will be dropped back at your hotel or the city centre.

Departing Lyttelton, this tour follows the story of Harry Al and his grand vision to create a splendid walking tour from Christchurch to Akaroa in the early 1900s. Although Harry died before the track could be completed, the section from Christchurch to Packhorse Hut captures the stunning scenery and dramatic landscape of Banks Peninsula and Lyttleton Harbour. After being collected from the port, your tour travels along the stunning coastal road to Governors Bay, before you drive up Dyers Pass to the stop at the Sign of the Kiwi. Following the Sign of the Kiwi it's a short drive along Summit Road to the Sign of the Bellbird, where your guide will provide morning tea. After morning tea your tour continues along the summit for another 15 minutes before reaching Gebbies Pass. An 11-kilometer hike will then comprise your return journey, during which you will stop at Packhorse Hut for lunch. After completing the walk, the return journey follows the coastal road around Lyttleton Harbour, passing through the small settlement of Governors Bay before heading back to the port in Lyttelton.