New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
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10 best New Zealand tour packages from Christchurch
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Eastbound)
- South Island Youth Adventure - 9 days
- New Zealand – South Island Multisport
- Southern Wonders (2025/2026)
- Southern Loop
- Premium - South Island Escape
- Summer Blast from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
- Budget Kiwi Adventure From Christchurch - 14 days
- Budget Christchurch Loop - 7 days
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great experience for this tour.. would rate this as 5stars.. made new friends along the way.”
Nigel, traveled in February
The 9-day, 580km South Island adventure takes you from Christchurch through Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef Glacier. The route continues to Queenstown via Haast Pass, ventures to Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo, before returning to Christchurch after visiting Lake Ōhau.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Haast, Wanaka, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, ManapouriSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $2,135
10% Off- NZ$1,922You save $213
A 9-day South Island expedition from Christchurch connects 14 remarkable destinations. The path winds from Lake Tekapo's milky blue waters through Queenstown's adventure hub to Franz Josef Glacier, concluding in Christchurch via historic Hokitika and Arthur's Pass.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Ohau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Manapouri, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $2,135
20% Off- NZ$1,708You save $427
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$4,615
New Zealand – South Island Multisport
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was fast paced, included great hikes, a fun kayak trip and a half day of biking.”
Elizabeth, traveled in February
A 15-day, 480km South Island adventure from Christchurch heads north to Kaikoura, through Marlborough wine region to Abel Tasman, west to Franz Josef Glacier, and south via Queenstown before returning through Mount Cook.
Duration 15 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson, Marahau, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Twizel Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $6,119
25% Off- NZ$4,589You save $1,530
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Franz Josef, Hokitika, Queenstown, Haast, Lake Hawea, Arrowtown, Walter Peak, Te Anau, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From $5,520
20% Off- NZ$4,416You save $1,104
Southern Loop
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“This tour blew all my expectations and it was awesome to check out the Upper South Island.”
Anna, traveled in May
The 7-day, 800km South Island circuit from Christchurch crosses the Southern Alps via Lewis Pass to Punakaiki. The route heads north to Abel Tasman National Park, then east through Marlborough wine region and Kaikoura, returning to Christchurch.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Blenheim, Kaikoura Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator Wild Kiwi From
20% Off- NZ$1,912+$287 upfront costs
Premium - South Island Escape
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We really enjoyed our tour of South Island. It was very well organised and we all had the best time.”
Helen, traveled in February
A 7-day, 850km South Island loop starts and ends in Christchurch. The route passes through Rakaia Gorge to Lake Tekapo, south to Te Anau and Milford Sound, then to Queenstown, returning via Franz Josef Glacier and Arthur's Pass, featuring Hokitika's jade galleries.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Wild Kiwi From
20% Off- NZ$4,086+$613 upfront costs
Summer Blast from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great itinerary, fantastic tour leaders, wonderful food, and overall terrific experience.”
Eric, traveled in December
This 13-day South Island expedition spans 1,200+ km from Christchurch to Picton. Custom-built vehicles transport visitors from Lake Tekapo's turquoise waters to Milford Sound's dramatic fiords. The route features stops at Mt Cook, Fox Glacier, and Abel Tasman National Park.
Duration 13 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Oamaru, Moeraki, Dunedin, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, QueenstownSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Flying Kiwi From
20% Off- NZ$4,595
Duration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Haast, Auckland, Hokitika, CoromandelSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$7,045
A 7-day, 400km South Island circuit from Christchurch winds through Lewis Pass's beech forests, showcases Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks, includes Abel Tasman National Park, and returns via Kaikoura's coastal route in a luxury Wi-Fi equipped vehicle.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Lewis Pass, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$3,385
What people love about New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (from Christchurch to Auckland)
Meeting with local wariers and dining with them. All nature is beautiful.
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
Such a great tour! The tour guide (Damo) and bus driver (Ollie) were such an amazing team and together they provided such an amazing experience of NZ. Highly recommend!
Great itinerary, fantastic tour leaders, wonderful food, and overall terrific experience. Not only were the tour leaders friendly, the trip was very well organized and ran very smoothly. It was very apparent that Flying Kiwi has worked hard to refine the workings of their tours to provide a terrific experience (custom trailer setup for cooking and storage, amazing meals, well selected camping sights in wonderful locations, and well organized schedules). I have been on many camping trips with other tour companies in other countries, but none compare with the excellent organization and often unique camping sites Flying Kiwi provided.
Summer Blast from Christchurch - Top rated by National Geographic
What our customers ask about New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
What is the typical duration of tours starting in Christchurch?
Tours from Christchurch span from 6 to 18 days with most travelers choosing 9-14 day trips. The Southern Spotlight tour takes 9 days through South Island highlights while the Spirit of New Zealand extends to a 16-day adventure. A recent TourRadar traveler shared: "The 14-day Big South tour was the perfect length to really experience everything the South Island has to offer with Ben and Daisy as fantastic tour guides."
What's the best season to start a tour from Christchurch?
Summer months from December to February draw the most visitors with pleasant 72°F temperatures and extended daylight. Spring between September and November brings flowering gardens to Christchurch with smaller crowds at spots like Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We started our tour in October and got perfect weather for experiencing Christchurch's famous gardens plus amazing snow-capped mountain views."
What are the most common next destinations after Christchurch?
Most tours head to the Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook area (3 hours by road) or take the scenic TranzAlpine railway to Franz Josef Glacier (5 hours). Some routes pass through quieter towns like Omarama or Twizel on the way to Queenstown. According to a TourRadar review: "The drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo was stunning with stops at beautiful viewpoints and the Church of the Good Shepherd - it was the perfect way to start our South Island adventure."
What are the common departure points for tours starting in Christchurch?
Tours typically leave from the Central Railway Station for TranzAlpine train journeys the Distinction Christchurch Hotel in Cathedral Square or the Crowne Plaza on Armagh Street. Morning pickups run from 7:00-9:00 AM at these central spots. Some tours offer 4:00 PM airport departures to match incoming flights.
What accommodation options are available for tours starting in Christchurch?
Lodging ranges from 3-star motels to 4-star hotels including popular choices like the Novotel Christchurch Rydges Latimer and Heritage Hotel Christchurch. In Queenstown properties such as Blue Peaks Lodge are common stops. A TourRadar guest mentioned: "Our accommodations were very clean and comfortable. The blue peaks had been freshly renovated and was very close to Queenstown shopping."
What happens if weather affects the planned route when departing from Christchurch?
Tour companies maintain backup routes and activities for weather-related changes. A TourRadar traveler shared their experience: "We were diverted from seeing the Franz Josef glacier and going on the TranzAlpine train due to weather and road conditions. We were rerouted to Dunedin and we had an enjoyable time there visiting the Botanic garden and museums."
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