Christchurch Highlights Tour
Don't Port,
Don't Pay Security
Back-to-Ship
Guarantee
Hassle-free
Cancellation
3.5 hours (approx.)
Shared Tour
Overview
Meet and greet your guide in Lyttelton township and board your transportation. Settle in as you depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then via Dyers Pass to the Sign of the Kiwi. Lyttelton Harbour is an extinct volcano with a natural harbour being formed by erosion in the old volcanic crater, high crater walls surround the harbour. Dyers Pass climbs up the old volcanic crater wall to the summit and from the Sign of the Kiwi there are wonderful views of both the Harbour and the city of Christchurch. Then your tour arrives at the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish like castle which has a viewing platform providing magnificent views over the City of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps which are snowcapped for up to 9 months of the year. Access to the viewing platform is via a gentle 5-minute walk.
Then you will depart the Sign of the Tahake for Mona Vale, at stately home and magnificent gardens. Continue on to Mona Vale via the hillside suburb of Cashmere and via some of the southern and western residential suburbs of Christchurch, to Fendalton one of Christchurch’s most exclusive residential suburbs. Arrive at the front gate house of Mona Vale and stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River which acts as one of the properties boundaries. The coach will then travel around to the rear gate house where your tour guide will meet you once you have had the opportunity to explore the grounds.
After, you depart Mona Vale and travel into the central city of Christchurch which was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. Your guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake, you will see for yourself both the destructive powers of nature and the rebuild which has and is taking place. The central city tour will conclude in Cathedral Square where you will be given time to explore this central part of the city on foot. There are some great photo opportunities in this area.
Departing the Cathedral Square you return to Lyttelton, via the Eastern Suburbs, the estuary and finally the beach suburb of Sumner with its sand and surf beaches and the Pacific Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. From Sumner your tour will return to Lyttelton via Evans Pass which was closed for more than 7 years following the Christchurch earthquake of 2011 due to cliff collapse. Evans Pass will provide you with fantastic views of the harbor heads and the southern bays. A stop will be made at a viewing platform on the harbor side of Evans Pass which overlooks the ports container and coal terminals and affords great views of both the harbour and the historic Timeball station.
At the end of this wonderful sightseeing tour, you return to Lyttelton township, where your awaiting shuttle transfers you back to your cruise ship.
What's Included
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Round trip transportation from port shuttle
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English speaking driver/guide
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Dyers Pass and the Sign of the Kiwi
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Mona Vale
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Christchurch City Highlights
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Harbor and historic timeball station view stop
Considerations
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Food and beverages.
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This tour requires a minimum of 4 guests.
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Gratuities/Tips are not included in your tour, if you would like to leave a tip, please bring cash.
Special Instructions
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As the weather in New Zealand is very changeable, dress in layers (these can be left in the vehicle if not required) and wear comfortable footwear.
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Guests must be able to board and alight the tour vehicle without assistance.
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Bring your camera to capture wonderful memories of your time ashore!
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting Instructions Will Be Provided On Your Voucher.
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