Christchurch Sightseeing Tours & Activities

Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, and it earns that title with sightseeing that ranges from a historic river through the middle of town to a French colonial harbour town an hour up the coast. Whether you have a free afternoon between flights or a full week to explore Canterbury, our Christchurch sightseeing tours cover the city's icons, its wildlife and the day trips that make the Garden City worth lingering in.

The Icons Right in the Garden City

Start where most visitors start, on the Port Hills. The Christchurch Gondola climbs to the summit of Mount Cavendish for views across the Canterbury Plains, Lyttelton Harbour and the Southern Alps on a clear day. Back in the city centre, glide along the Avon River on a traditional Edwardian-style punt through Hagley Park on our Punting on the Avon tour, or pair the two with the Avon Punting and Gondola Combo. For a slower look at the city's tree-lined streets and heritage buildings, hop aboard the Christchurch Tramway and ride the loop past Cathedral Square and the Arts Centre.

Wildlife and Gardens Made for a Slower Pace

Christchurch's green spaces are as much a drawcard as its skyline. Wander the rose gardens, herbaceous borders and century old trees of Hagley Park on the Christchurch Botanical Gardens Tour, then get properly nose to nose with a kiwi at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, one of the few places in the country where you can see New Zealand's national bird up close in a nocturnal kiwi house. Near the airport, the International Antarctic Centre brings the ice continent to the Canterbury Plains, complete with little blue penguins and a ride aboard an amphibious Hägglund vehicle.

Day Trips That Make the Most of Canterbury

Some of the best Christchurch sightseeing happens outside the city limits. Head over the hills to Banks Peninsula for the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, where the collapsed volcanic crater and its French colonial namesake town are home to Hector's dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and little penguins. Rail fans should not miss the scenic rail journey across Arthur's Pass to Greymouth, climbing from the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps and down to the West Coast in a single day. Further north, Kaikōura is an easy addition to any Christchurch itinerary, with sperm whales spotted year-round on a Whale Watch Kaikōura tour and seabirds gliding past on a Kaikōura albatross encounter.

See More, Sort Less, with a Combo Pass

If you would rather book once and tick off several icons, the Christchurch Attractions Combo Pass bundles the Gondola, the tram and punting on the Avon into one itinerary, so you spend less time comparing options and more time out enjoying the Garden City.

Why Book Your Christchurch Sightseeing with Everything New Zealand

We are your local travel partner for the South Island, not the operator, so we only list the Christchurch tours and attractions we would genuinely recommend to family and friends. Compare gondola rides, river punts, wildlife encounters and day trips to Akaroa and Kaikōura side by side, book online in a few minutes and get instant confirmation. Less scrolling, more strolling, straight to the good bits of Canterbury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Christchurch sightseeing tours? The Christchurch Gondola, Punting on the Avon, the Christchurch Botanical Gardens Tour and the International Antarctic Centre are the most popular sightseeing experiences in the city, and all can be combined with a day trip to Akaroa or Kaikōura for a longer itinerary.

How far is Akaroa from Christchurch? Akaroa sits on Banks Peninsula, roughly a 90-minute drive or organised tour from central Christchurch, making it a comfortable half-day or full-day trip.

Can I combine the Christchurch Gondola with punting on the Avon? Yes, the Avon Punting and Gondola Combo and the Christchurch Attractions Combo Pass both let you book the two together, along with the tram on the combo pass, in a single itinerary.

Is Kaikōura worth visiting from Christchurch? Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where sperm whales are seen year-round, and it makes an easy day trip or overnight stop from Christchurch, with whale watching and albatross encounters both departing from the town.

What is there to do in Christchurch with kids and wildlife lovers? Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, the International Antarctic Centre and the Christchurch Botanical Gardens Tour are all family-friendly, with native kiwi, little blue penguins and open lawns for a run around between stops.