The Canterbury Charm Tour

This tour explores 3 of North Canterbury’s boutique vineyards. Travel 45 minutes north of Christchurch through the New Zealand countryside to the Waipara Valley, well known for its warm, dry climate and rich alluvial soils, ideal for superior wine production. Over 40 vineyards and wineries pepper the landscape of the valley, with Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominating local plantings. You will stop for tastings at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, Greystone Winery and Waipara Hills Winery. If for any reason one of these wineries is closed on the day or your tour an alternative winery in the Waipara Valley will be included. This activity also has lunch included at Waipara Springs Winery. The platter lunch includes tastes of both a regional and New Zealand flavour and is the perfect accompaniment to some of these wineries fine wines.

Pohatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. Much work has gone into protecting the White-flippered Penguins from introduced predators. You’ll join a guided tour to view these birds in their natural habitat. This evening tour gives you the chance to observe the birds returning from hunting at sea and you’ll be involved in the monitoring programme of the nesting boxes to learn more about the conservation work. The best time for penguin viewing is the breeding season between the end of August and January. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

The Banks Peninsula lies just around 1 hour from Christchurch city centre. Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, the region’s first settlers were Maori who recognised its potential for shelter and food. The sealers and whalers followed them, and European colonists founded and settled Akaroa, Little River and Lyttelton and many of the Peninsula’s other bays. Abounding with wildlife and history, it’s a great place to spend the day exploring. The jewel is Akaroa, which lies just over 70 kilometres from central Christchurch, and the drive to this picturesque harbour town is a wonderful experience in itself, as it can either take you via the port of Lyttelton and along the bays or over the Summit Road of the Port Hills. The well-signposted tourist routes will guide you on a loop around the peninsula and through some spectacular and rugged farmland scenery. As you approach the small settlement of Duvauchelle, you are greeted by New Zealand’s oldest hotel. The town of Akaroa has rather a French feel with many flags flying and cottages and streets with distinctly non-kiwi names. The reason being that 63 Frenchmen arrived here to settle the Banks Peninsula under the French Flag, only to find the British had beaten them by 5 days. Their influence on architecture, combined with a Victorian seaside feel, makes the town a delightful place to spend an afternoon. There are many activities, such as nature cruises and swimming with dolphins. Be sure to visit the quirky The Giant’s House, a unique and whimsical garden and mosaic sculpture gallery.

Christchurch is a city brimming with art, from exhibitions and galleries to vibrant street art throughout the city. While you’re here, take time to explore the city’s rich artistic offerings, starting with the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. With a diverse range of works on display, from old masters to contemporary art, there’s something for everyone. The gallery also hosts regular events, including talks, museum tours, and film screenings. Don’t miss The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, a vibrant hub for arts, culture, education, creativity, and entrepreneurship. This collection of heritage buildings houses museums, boutique galleries, eateries, retailers, and offices. Beyond the conventional galleries, the city’s streets are an open-air art gallery. Christchurch has gained a strong reputation as the home of street art, with colourful murals from inspiring artists appearing across the inner city. Be sure to look out for the ever-evolving street art, including the Riverside Mural, Rauora Park’s spray cans, and the urban aesthetics of the YMCA building.

Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife daily on a Black Cat Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise. You’ll see the rare, native dolphin, the Hector’s or New Zealand Dolphin. There’s also the chance to spot the world’s smallest penguin, the White Flippered Little Blue Penguin, Fur Seals and other sea birds. Other cruise highlights are some majestic volcanic cliffs (including the impressive Cathedral Cave) and signs of Akaroa’s fascinating past including early Maori, French and British settlements.

Discover cultural treasures hidden in plain sight and savor the city’s diverse flavors with this two-and-a-half-hour inner-city walk featuring kai stops, the perfect way to explore Ōtautahi Christchurch. This tour includes the Ōtautahi Hikoi stops and embraces the principles of manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (connection), emphasising the importance of sharing kai (food) in Māori culture. The cultural food tour celebrates the diversity of modern-day Ōtautahi-Christchurch. From historic tales of gathering mahinga kai along the riverbanks to sampling some of our finest contemporary flavours, this tour offers a sensory journey like no other.

Following earthquakes that razed its centre and much of the outlying suburbs, Ōtautahi-Christchurch is well into a billion-dollar makeover. In the middle of the Canterbury Plains, bordering the pacific ocean, New Zealand’s newest city is an ideal gateway to exploring the middle of the South. Go punting on the Avon River, take a historic tram ride, catch the gondola to the rim of an extinct volcano or do all three! See the world’s only Cardboard Cathedral and for nature enthusiasts - wander the renowned Christchurch Botanic Gardens, or head to Oxford Terrace in the city to find a great spot to eat or drink. Drive an hour in any direction to ski, mountain bike, wine taste, whale-watch, bungy jump or play golf. Take the winding Port Hills road to the French settlement of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula and tour the vines in Waipara for an authentic New Zealand wine-tasting experience.

A relaxing way to spend your second day in Christchurch is with a day trip to the village of Akaroa or the wine growing region of Waipara. The historic French settlement of Akaroa sits on a picturesque harbour and is a beautiful place to relax, soak in its history and play in the harbour. Two of the most popular activities are the Akaroa Harbour nature cruise or swimming with the rare hectors dolphin. If you prefer fresh mountain air and an adrenalin rush, Christchurch is a great base to explore the Southern Alps. Enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride, or a full day Alpine Safari, with jet boating, a 4WD farm tour and the spectacular TranzAlpine Scenic Train journey included.

Established in 1863, Christchurch’s 75-acre Botanic Gardens host the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand. Operating a continuous daily service, the Botanic Gardens Tour allows you to discover the natural beauty, history, and culture of this central city oasis while at the same time being taken around the gardens in all weather, comfort, and style. The professionally-guided tours allow you the flexibility of staying on the shuttles for the full circuit or alternatively, you can choose to ''hop on or hop off'' at any of the clearly-identified stops around the Gardens.