Activities & Attractions Search Results

Driven in our modern Mercedes Sprinter (or similar vehicle), our passionate tour guides take you on this trip through the Canterbury Plains, before stopping at Fairlie Bakehouse where you can try one of their famous pies. From here we will continue inland to Lake Tekapo, including a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd; one of New Zealand’s most photographed spots. Continuing past Lake Pukaki, we will arrive in Aoraki; New Zealand's highest peak. Upon arrival, you'll have the option to embark on one of two spectacular walks: the Hooker Valley or Tasman Glacier*. Flights can also be organized. After Aoraki, we will return to Christchurch. (However full completion of these is subject to...

Our range of merchandise is extensive, and we have everything from fashion, to food to trinkets. We want travellers to be able to collect and capture tangible memories from their New Zealand experience. At Aotea Gifts, customer service is our priority. This ensures a trustworthy, credible, and world-class Kiwi retail experience for our customers. We're also online so all products and brands are available to anyone in the world. The store is staffed by a team who understand our customer’s needs and provide a great New Zealand shopping experience. Our team speak a variety of languages, but we like our products to speak for themselves.

Picked up from your accommodation you are transferred to Arthur's Pass by TranzAlpine train. The journey across the Canterbury Plains and through the Waimakariri gorge is spectacular before you make your way to the high mountains of the Southern Alps and Arthur's Pass where you will be met by your Canterbury Trails guide. After exploring the village, Otira Gorge and finding the cheeky Kea (Alpine Parrot), you have the option of taking a number of short walks or one longer hike in the National Park to discover the unique flora and bird life of this ruggedly beautiful area. Lunch is enjoyed at a high country pub with spectacular vistas before we meander back to Christchurch via Lake Pearson...

Driven in a modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) van, we leave Christchurch and head south through the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts. After stopping at Springfield, we continue west through Castle Hill, where will stop for you to self-explore the uniquely shaped rocks and landscape that has featured in Lord of the Rings and Narnia. Continuing further, we land in Arthurs Pass National Park where you will have time to embark on your own adventure; our personal recommendation is Devil's Punchbowl - a 1 hour tack on gradual incline (including steps) towards a ferocious 131-meter-tall waterfall. Returning to the Garden City, we will stop at a few other secret spots for you to...

Driven in a modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) van, we leave Christchurch and head south through Waimakariri districts where you will take a 30 minute jet boat ride on the Waimakariri River with our team at Alpine Jet. At Castle Hill, we again will stop for you to self-explore the uniquely shaped rocks and landscape that has featured in Lord of the Rings and Narnia. Continuing further, we land in Arthurs Pass National Park where you can embark on your own adventure; our personal recommendation is Devil's Punchbowl - a 1 hour tack on gradual incline (including steps) towards a ferocious 131-meter-tall waterfall. On return to the Garden City, we will stop at a few other secret...

Driven in a modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) van, we leave Christchurch and head south through the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts. After stopping at Springfield, we continue west through Castle Hill, where will stop for you to self-explore the uniquely shaped rocks and landscape that has featured in Lord of the Rings and Narnia. Continuing further, we land in Arthurs Pass National Park where you will have time to embark on your own adventure; our personal recommendation is Devil's Punchbowl - a 1 hour tack on gradual incline (including steps) towards a ferocious 131-meter-tall waterfall. After which, you will board the TranzAlpine (one of the world's most scenic train...

Join us for a unique and exclusive sungazing to stargazing experience in Akaroa. Led by an expert astronomy guide, our tour reveals the Southern sky's hidden wonders. Embark on a slow and scenic journey to a stunning sunset viewing spot, witnessing breathtaking views of the sunset. As you gaze up at our Sun, indulge in local delights with our grazing platter, carefully crafted to showcase the best of Akaroa's flavours. Transition into the night sky with our state-of-the-art equipment, featuring safe solar observations through our solarscope and telescope viewing of stars, planets, and galaxies. Capture memories with our smartphone adapter.

There is nothing quite so romantic and exciting as Hot Air Ballooning and floating effortlessly over an ever changing Canterbury Plains landscape. Great views of the Southern Alps to the Pacific ocean. This is a family owned business. Experienced pilot Michael has over 5500 hrs aviation experience. Flights 7 days a week, all flights are subject to weather. We fly a minimum of 2 people up to large groups.A glass of chilled champagne or fruit juice and a light snack are served after landing. Courtesy transfers for visitors to Christchurch from most central hotels and motels. Allow approximately 4-5 hours for this remarkable experience. The flight time is approximately one hour.

Banks Track, NZ's original private walking track, has delighted visitors since 1989. It offers a glimpse of rural NZ by inviting you into our backyard. You will walk along Banks Track on farm tracks and following forest routes, over an extinct volcano with views of Akaroa Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. Banks Track traverses coast and cliffs, through reserves and rural landscapes. Get up close and personal with a variety of native and exotic birds and wildlife including seals, penguins, lambs and geckos. Each nights accommodation reflects the landowners personality, offering you hot showers and flush toilets alongside the special character of property. We offer private rooms, free penguin...

Our popular Three Day Classic Walk takes you over the rim of an extinct volcano and into otherwise inaccessible bays. Your packs will be carted for you as you walk at your own pace along the coast and cliffs of two marine reserves, have the opportunity to take part in a free penguin tour (in season) and traverse working farms working towards conservation. Your packs will be carried from accommodation to accommodation. Optional extras include kayaking and a private room. The diversity of scenery, flora and fauna, accommodation and views combine to create a stunning experience, one that many people return to enjoy. The season runs from 1st October to 30 April.

For the fitter and faster walkers who prefer to spend more time walking, our Two Day Hikers Option follows the same Banks Track route as the Three Day Classic Walk, bypassing a night in Flea Bay. You will hike with your pack. Banks Track is a spectacular two day hike. The track combines hill, forest, and coastal walking at their best, making this a great option for those who like to spend much of their day hiking. This is our hiker’s option and a high level of fitness is required as the 31 kms includes a lot of hill walking. The Banks Track climbs from sea level to nearly 700m twice.

Wanting to go beyond the crowds that aren't found in any New Zealand guidebook? Packed full of highlights, this stunning trek includes mountain peaks, remote lake and valley systems and the splendour of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring from high vantage points. The trip begins with a drive to the highland region of Lake Tekapo with the first night on the trail spent at a private backcountry hut with superb alpine and lakeside vistas. Ending in sensational style, a breathtaking gondola ride from Ben Lomond from where we walk in the region overlooking stunning Lake Wanaka and towards the Mount Aspiring range. For spectacular Southern Alps scenery. This tour includes 5 dinners, 7 lunches,...

Take a mesmerising journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of the night sky, home to planets, stars and a whole other world you can only dream about. Our resident astronomy guides will share their knowledge as they take you on a 90 minute tour of the night sky through high powered telescopes. With no light pollution you will see the Southern Cross, planets, distant galaxies, star clusters, moons and the Milky Way.

Explore Aoraki/Mount Cook’s night sky from the comfort of this state of the art facility. Science meets entertainment in our 360-degree digital dome planetarium. Enjoy an unrivalled guided cinematic experience as you see the night sky like never before. Fly to the edge of our galaxy and beyond to the reaches of our universe. Start times vary seasonally.

Starting and finishing from either Christchurch or Queenstown, this Easy Tour is a great alternative to the full Alps to Ocean Trail Epic Cycle Tour for those wanting a more relaxed and ‘pain-free’ cycle experience. There is ample time for exploring the glacial lakes and alpine towns, and general ‘mountain-gazing’. The awe-inspiring snow-capped landscapes of Mackenzie Basin and North Otago provide a wonderful backdrop and whether biking or catching a ride in the support vehicle you will experience some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. Discover the original Maori rock art, fossil sites and spectacular limestone outcrops of North Otago. Step back in time and take in the...

Starting and finishing from either Christchurch or Queenstown, the EPIC tour range’s from 25 – 80 km of cycling per day. The gradient is mainly gently undulating, on a mix of purpose built gravel cycle trail, gravel and sealed roads. The distances biked each day will present a challenge to relish and conquer! The awe-inspiring snow-capped landscapes of Mackenzie Basin and North Otago provide a wonderful backdrop and whether biking or catching a ride in the support vehicle you will experience some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. Discover the original Maori rock art, fossil sites and spectacular limestone outcrops of North Otago. Step back in time and take in the vibe of...

Explore a huge and sparsely populated area of the South Island made up of braided river valleys, crystal clear lakes, and dramatic snow-clad mountain ranges - a landscape made famous by the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The biking follows Canterbury’s wide open valleys of the Rakaia, Ashburton and Rangitata Rivers, through the ranges towards the ever dominant Southern Alps. Visit the historic Mesopotamia and Erewhon high county stations. Experience an incredible buggy ride led by a team of Clydesdale horses at Erewhon Station. Discover the beauty of Lake Coleridge and Lake Heron, and explore the small Canterbury communities on the fringes of the plains. Stay in cosy, well equipped high country...

Family owned, we craft wines as naturally as possible to express our 3 hillside vineyards. Enjoy our wines in our Cellar Door or Restaurant with local and and organic produce. Two hatted and currently Winery Restaurant of the Year 2023/24 with Cuisine Magazine. Experience informative tastings and hear stories about the wine, food and the local suppliers who grow it. Cellar door open 7 days in summer, restaurant Thursdays - Mondays, 10am - 4pm. Dogs and bicycles welcome. In summer also offer private tours and tastings at our Netherwood winery and vineyard. Check our website for winter hours. Bookings recommended.

At Canterbury Trails we don't just pick you up and drop you off, we make the in between, a journey to remember. The company is owner operated by Irene Hayward and Chris Platt. Both are well traveled Kiwis who love nothing better in providing an intimate, personalised and authentic journey around New Zealand's stunning South Island. If you want to explore the North Island, Canterbury Trails can organise that too. Irene, Chris and their hand picked guides understand the Kiwi lifestyle and know the locals and their customs. They guide only small groups on day trips or longer multi-day tours and can adapt the itinerary to meet the needs, interests and fitness levels if everyone in the group.

Depart Christchurch and travel through the beautiful rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury to Kaikoura where the mountains meet the sea. At Kaikoura, a whale watch cruise or flight is made and you will look out for the majestic Sperm Whales and Dusky Dolphins. Sightings can also include Southern Right, Humpback, and Pilot whales. Visit the Kaikoura Peninsula where sightings can be made of the New Zealand Fur Seals. After your cruise or flight, enjoy a café lunch before returning to Christchurch.