Akaroa | Must Do New Zealand

Christchurch Adventure Day Tours

Six Best Adventure Day Tours from Christchurch

Explore like never before with ‘Adventure by Nature,’ a family-owned adventure travel company whose trips are all about discovering magnificent natural areas and immersing oneself in them in an all-consuming, sometimes challenging, and extremely rewarding manner.

It is about engaging in extraordinary activities in breathtaking natural settings. Day trips from Christchurch include guided walks to Godley Head and Packhorse hut, sea kayaking on Lyttelton harbour, rock climbing at Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti and Cave stream, and sea kayaking on Lyttelton harbour.

Join us and embark on your very own genuine experience.

Packhorse Hut guided Day tour- From Christchurch

Price: $349 per person – Child $149 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

On this breathtaking excursion to Packhorse Hut, we visit the four historic “rest huts” that were formerly part of a great walking adventure across the Port Hills. The hut is located on a saddle above Lyttelton Harbour, affording breathtaking views of the harbour and Banks Peninsula.

This easy day hike begins with a drive up the Port Hills along the historical trail to Dyer’s Pass, then continues south along the summit road to Gebbies Pass. Our trek begins and ends at Gebbie’s pass, is roughly 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) in length, and takes most groups 3 to 4 hours round-trip.

Packhorse Hut Tour Highlights

Visit the 4 historic “rest houses”- Sign of the Takahe, Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird & Sign of the Packhorse
Scenic drive over the Port Hills
Walk to Packhorse Hut

Godley Head Guided Day Tour – from Christchurch

Price: $349 per person – Child $149 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

Getting there – A Scenic Drive

Driving east from Christchurch, we pass through local communities and industrial regions before entering the second-longest road tunnel in New Zealand en route to Lyttelton. This picturesque and historic port town, sometimes known as “the gateway to Christchurch,” is the South Islands’ most active port. You will have time to explore this peculiar tiny town prior to ascending the freshly reconstructed Gebbies Pass route. We stop for morning tea at a picturesque outlook at the top of the peak that provides breathtaking views of Lyttelton Harbour and the seaside community of Sumner. Taylors Mistake Beach, one of Christchurch’s best-kept secrets, is a short distance from Sumner. Our hike begins at Taylors Mistake.

Tour de marche – Godley Head / Awaroa

From Taylors Mistake beach, we travel east along a well-established path that skirts the coast, descending into Boulder Bay and then onto Godley head. It is a beautiful spot for a few photographs and a picnic lunch, as it is dotted with World War II ruins like as bunkers, gun emplacements, and ancient military buildings.

Afternoon – Godley Head / Awaroa Walking Tour continued…

After lunch, you will have free time to explore the surrounding area and visit some of the historic structures and World War II defences. After departing from Godley Head, your guide will take you to several new locations, including the incredibly picturesque observation battery no. 2. The room was constructed into the cliff overlooking Lyttleton Harbour, making it an ideal location for photographs. Leaving the World War II remnants at Godley Head behind, we continue west along the track overlooking Lyttelton Harbour. It was a reasonably rapid descent back to the shore at Taylors Mistake, where our van was waiting.

On the way back to Christchurch, we take a different route past the seaside communities of Sumner village and Redcliffe.

Your tour will return you to your hotel or the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Avenue in Christchurch.

Sea Kayaking, Lyttelton Harbour & Quail Island- from Christchurch

Price: $399 per person – Child $149 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

A day sea kayaking on Lyttelton Harbour is the best way to explore Quail Island, one of Christchurch’s best-kept secrets. Volcanic activity 45 million years ago formed Banks Peninsula, and the two largest eruptions formed Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. The result of this activity has left us with some of the most spectacular and dynamic harbors in New Zealand. Quail Island is the largest of three small islands in Lyttelton Harbour and rich in history. On this day trip, we explore Lyttelton Harbour and Quail Island.

Morning -Sea Kayaking

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation or our pick-up point outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, Christchurch, by 9 am. On our way to Lyttleton Harbour, we pass through New Zealand’s second-longest road tunnel (1970 mts) and the iconic Port town of Lyttelton. Our sea kayaking journey begins at Cass or Charteris Bays just 30-40 minutes from Christchurch’s City center.

Your guide will teach you some basic paddle strokes and how to steer your boat, and then we’re off. We paddle towards the head of the harbor, exploring the many small bays and rocky cliffs along the way. Find secret sandy beaches the locals adore. Leaving the coast, we head out towards Quail Island, the largest of the three islands in the harbor. Quail Island is rich in local history; the Island was farmed, used as a leper colony, and also for Antarctic expedition training. Now the Island is a recreational reserve. We paddle past a ship’s graveyard, exploring the three partially sunken steamships at the North-Western tip of the Island to reach Home Bay, our lunch spot.

Afternoon – Sea Kayaking

We land our sea kayaks onto the beach at Home Bay for lunch, looking back at Charteris Bay and Mt Bradley. On the Island, you have the opportunity to explore or relax by the beach. Our return paddle takes us under the towering cliffs at the eastern end of the island before crossing back to shore and returning to Chartiras Bay. Your guide will drop you back to your accommodation or at the drop point at Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, in the city center.

Sea Kayaking Tour highlights

Sea kayaking in a volcano
Secret bays
Paddle through a ships graveyard
Sea caves
Visit Quail Island

Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti Day Tour – From Christchurch.

Price: $399 per person – Child $149 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

You will be picked up from your accommodation or from our meeting point outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, Christchurch. We start our adventure by travelling west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains. We make a stop after 45mins at the Darfield Bakery or Sheffield Pie shop to collect our lunch. (Lunch is provided). After a short break, we continue our journey to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti.

Morning – Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti

Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti is an amazing labyrinth of giant limestone boulders that sit in the Craigieburn Basin, an area surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. The area is rich with cultural and recreational significance and has been granted Topuni status “A symbolic cloak of protection”. Known internationally as world-class climbing, bouldering, and film making destination; it’s well worth a visit. Your guide will show you around if you like you can have a go at bouldering and test your climbing skills, or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders. We stop here for lunch at Castle Hill. (Lunch provided)

Afternoon – Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti

You will have free time to explore the endless maze of boulders at Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti after lunch until 2:30 PM. You will be dropped back to your accommodation or back at the Canterbury Musem at the end of the day.

Castle Hill & Cave Stream Tour Highlights

Scenic drive S.H 73 “the Great Alpine Highway”
Visit Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill
Guided caving trip through “Cave Stream”
Local guide

Cave Stream & Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti – Day Tour from Christchurch

Price: $399 per person – Child $149 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

You will be picked up from your accommodation or from our meeting point outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, Christchurch. We start our adventure by traveling west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains. We make a stop after 45mins at the “The famous Sheffield Pie Shop” (Lunch is provided but you might like to sample a classic Kiwi pie) before continuing our journey to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti.

Itinerary

Morning – Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti

Afternoon – Cave Stream

We will meet back at the carpark at 1:00 pm and make our way to Cave Stream, just 10 mins drive from Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. It will take us approximately 45mins to make our way through the 594 meters of limestone cave. Our route follows the crystal-clear water up-stream, through the winding chambers and small waterfalls. The final section has a 3-meter fixed ladder to climb past the largest waterfall as we exit the cave.

Not interested in caving? Not to worry, the stunning landscape used for filming The Chronicles of Narnia” surround us here. You’re welcome to explore the paths and trails in the area or sit and relax with some afternoon tea in this very peaceful landscape. We follow the “Great Alpine Highway” back to Christchurch casting our eyes over the massive Torlesse Range and iconic “Gap”.

Your guide will drop you back at your accommodation in Christchurch, at the airport or in the city center.

Castle Hill & Cave Stream Tour Highlights

Scenic drive S.H 73 “the Great Alpine Highway”
Visit Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill
Guided caving trip through “Cave Stream”
Local guide

Rock Climbing Banks Peninsula, Christchurch

Price: $449 per person – Child $199 pp
Pick up/Departs: 9:00 am
TourDuration: 8 Hours

Spend a day rock climbing on the Port Hills at one of Christchurch’s most spectacular climbing areas. If you’re completely new to climbing and just want to give it a go or, a seasoned climber looking for some local tips this is the trip for you.

Morning

The 30 min drive up to the climbing area will take you through some of Christchurch’s most affluent suburbs, affording uninterrupted views from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps in the west. Our climbing areas are scattered across the summit of an enormous extinct volcano that formed Banks Penninsula and Lyttelton Harbour. With over 2000 established climbing routes, Christchurch is one of the largest and most popular climbing areas in New Zealand.

Once you have been fitted with a harness and helmet it’s only a short 5 min walk to the Crag (climbing area). Your guide will set up the ropes and give you a safety briefing and belay lesson before you start your first climb. Once you’re feeling confident with the climbing systems your guide will review the abilities of the group and continue to set up some climbs that will be challenging, achievable and safe for the group. We will have lunch up at the crag overlooking either Christchurch City or Lyttelton Harbour.

Afternoon

After lunch, we have a go at abseiling (controlled lower) where you will have the opportunity to lower yourself off one of the Crags. If you’re keen for some more climbing, abseiling or just relaxing your guide will be happy to find the perfect spot to finish the day.At the end of the day, you will be dropped back to your accommodation or at the drop point at Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, in the city center.