Christchurch · New Zealand
Christchurch Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Christchurch tours and things to do in New Zealand’s "Garden City" and gateway to the South Island: punt along the willow-lined Avon River, ride the heritage tram past the Botanic Gardens, journey over the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine train to Arthur’s Pass, watch whales at Kaikoura, cruise the volcanic harbour of Akaroa, and soak in the Hanmer Springs hot pools. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
338 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Christchurch
Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch
from$172/ person
via Viator
Christchurch
Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook (1 way)
from$215/ person
via Viator
Browse
Explore Christchurch by interest
Whatever brings you to Christchurch — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Christchurch
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Punting the Avon
Willow-lined river.
30 toursView tours
TranzAlpine
Alpine train.
40+ toursView tours
Kaikoura Whales
Sperm whales.
30 toursView tours
Akaroa
Harbour & dolphins.
30 toursView tours
Heritage Tram
City loop.
30 toursView tours
Hanmer Springs
Thermal pools.
20 toursView tours
Arthur’s Pass
Alpine scenery.
20 toursView tours
Botanic Gardens
Hagley Park.
20 toursView tours
South Island
Christchurch & South Island
- 1TranzAlpine
- 2Arthur’s Pass
- 3Castle Hill
- 4Hanmer Springs
Day awayTranzAlpine
Alpine railway.
from €120View trips
2.5 hr awayKaikoura
Whale watching.
from €130View trips
1.5 hr awayAkaroa
Harbour & dolphins.
from €90View trips
1.5 hr awayHanmer Springs
Thermal pools.
from €80View trips
Day awayArthur’s Pass
Alpine park.
from €110View trips
City awayAvon River
Punting.
from €30View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Christchurch visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Blooming gardens and fresh weather — lovely for the Garden City.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Warm and dry, the peak season for touring.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Golden colours and settled weather — beautiful.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cold and crisp, with snow on the alps.
For whales
Kaikoura whale watching runs year-round.
Best overall
Summer and autumn are ideal.
One day
The tram, punting and gardens.
Two days
Add the TranzAlpine or Akaroa.
Three days
Add Kaikoura whale watching.
For scenery
The TranzAlpine and Arthur’s Pass.
For wildlife
Kaikoura and Akaroa.
With kids
The tram, dolphins and hot pools.
On foot
The flat central city is easy to explore on foot.
Heritage tram
The tram loops past the main city sights.
Tours & trains
Tours and the TranzAlpine reach the alps and coast.
Car hire
A car suits exploring Canterbury at your own pace.
Where to stay
Stay near the centre or Hagley Park.
NZ dollar
New Zealand uses the dollar; cards are widely accepted.
Book the train
The TranzAlpine sells out — reserve well ahead.
Kaikoura weather
Whale trips depend on the sea; allow a flexible day.
Pack layers
Canterbury weather changes fast — bring warm layers.
Garden City
Don’t miss the Botanic Gardens and a punt on the Avon.
Akaroa dolphins
Book a harbour cruise to spot Hector’s dolphins.
Summer & autumn
Visit December to May for the best weather.
TranzAlpine
The scenic train sells out — book well ahead.
Kaikoura whales
Whale trips fill up — reserve early.
Akaroa cruises
Harbour cruises book out — reserve ahead.
Hanmer Springs
Day trips fill up in season — book early.
City tours
Tram and city tours sell out in summer — reserve ahead.
Peak season
Summer is busiest — book everything ahead.
TranzAlpine
Around €120–200 for a TranzAlpine day trip.
Kaikoura whales
About €130–200 for a whale-watching day trip.
Akaroa cruise
Roughly €90–150 for an Akaroa harbour day trip.
Hanmer Springs
Around €80–130 for a Hanmer Springs day trip.
City & tram
About €30–60 for a tram or city tour.
How to save
Join group day trips and combine city sights.
When to visit
Christchurch through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Blooming gardens.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Fresh.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Touring.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Golden colours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Snowy alps.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.
People also ask
Christchurch travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Christchurch?
The highest-rated experiences are punting on the Avon, the heritage tram, the TranzAlpine train, Kaikoura whale watching, and an Akaroa harbour cruise.
What should I book in advance in Christchurch?
Reserve the TranzAlpine train, Kaikoura whale trips and Akaroa cruises ahead, especially in the summer high season.
How many days do I need in Christchurch?
One day covers the city, two add the TranzAlpine or Akaroa, and three let you also visit Kaikoura.
Is Christchurch worth visiting?
Yes — Christchurch is New Zealand’s elegant "Garden City" and the gateway to the South Island, with scenic trains, whales, harbours and hot springs nearby.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
Summer and autumn (December to May) offer the warmest, most settled weather, though Kaikoura whale trips run year-round.
Can you visit Kaikoura from Christchurch?
Yes — Kaikoura whale watching is about 2.5 hours north and a popular day trip.
Is Christchurch good for families?
Yes — the heritage tram, punting, Akaroa dolphins and Hanmer Springs pools make it a great family destination.
338 Christchurch experiencesfrom €30 · free cancellation
Explore tours