Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō

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.

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation or at the designated pickup point. Make your way to Lyttleton Harbor as you drive over the Port Hills via Dyers Pass. Enjoy stunning views of the mountains and coast. Your sea kayak journey begins and ends from a beach in Lyttelton Harbour, 45 minute drive from Christchurch’s city centre. Your guide will go through a safety briefing and teach you basic paddle strokes and how to steer your boat before heading off. Paddling towards the head of the harbor, explore the many small bays and rocky cliffs along the way. Find secret sandy beaches while hearing stories about the area from your local guide. Leaving the coast, head out to Quail Island, the largest of the three islands in the harbor and learn about its rich local history. Paddle past a ship’s graveyard, with it's the three partially sunken steamships. Lunch is provided on Quail Island or one of the many small beaches in the local area. On Quail Island, you'll have some free time to explore the island or relax by the beach. If time allows, you will be able to circumnavigate the island and visit the sea cliffs and caves at the Northern far end of the island before heading back to the beach where you departed from. At the end of the tour you will be dropped off at your pickup location.

The tour begins with a pickup from your accommodation or the designated meeting point in Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Your first stop will be at the Sign of Takahe, a historic stone building, where you can enjoy scenic views and capture memorable photos. Next, you'll head to the Sign of the Bellbird Scenic Reserve for a refreshing snack while taking in breathtaking views of the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour. Afterwards, the tour continues to Governors Bay Jetty, giving you the opportunity to explore the serene surroundings of this seaside settlement. In Lyttelton Township, you'll have time to explore quaint shops and appreciate the town's historic charm. The tour then takes you to the Evans Pass lookout, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Lyttelton Harbour and learn about the operations of Lyttelton Port, including its role in New Zealand's imports and exports and its connection to Antarctic exploration. The final stop is Sumner Beach, where you can relax and wander through the charming village. A small picnic will be provided before you depart from Sumner Beach. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation or in the city center, wrapping up a delightful half-day experience that combines scenic viewpoints, local exploration, and time to unwind by the beach.

The tour starts with a short scenic drive on the way up to the climbing area, known locally as a “crag.” Only 15 minutes from Christchurch, the road passes through the second longest road tunnel in New Zealand and into the historic port town of Lyttelton. You’ll have some time here to explore the quirky little town that has been the launching port for many Antarctic exploration voyages. Leaving Lyttelton, the road ascends steeply up Evans Pass affording views of Lyttelton Harbour and the busy port below. Just 15 minutes from Lyttelton, near the top of the Port Hills, is Cattlestop Crag and other pop-up climbing areas. Your guide will set up some suitable rock climbs for the group and, before anyone starts climbing, you'll have a safety briefing and learn you how to use the equipment. Once everyone has got the hang of the system, your guide will continue to set up appropriately challenging climbs. With over 2,000 climbing routes in Christchurch, there are plenty of options no matter what your level of experience. Take a break to enjoy picnic-style lunch overlooking Christchurch or Lyttelton depending on the climbing area used. After lunch, your guide will set up an abseil for you to try lowing yourself down from the top of a cliff. After the abseil, your guide will take you to another crag in the local area for another abseil or more climbing. Leaving the crag, your guide will drop you back at your hotel or at the meeting point by the Citizens' War Memorial in Cathedral Square.