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)
- South Island Youth Adventure - 9 days
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Eastbound)
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (9 destinations)
- Southern Spotlight (2025/2026)
- Premium New Zealand South Island (9 destinations)
- Southern Loop
- Premium - South Island Escape
- New Zealand Southern Pioneer (including Arrowtown)
- Southern Wonders (2025/2026)
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 $2,385
15% Off- NZ$2,027You save $358
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator On The Go Tours From $5,245
10% Off- NZ$4,721You save $525
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
5% Off- NZ$2,028You save $107
New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (9 destinations)
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“love it, Simon was our guide and he was great.”
Duration 11 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Marlborough, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,475
25% Off- NZ$2,606You save $869
This 9-day South Island adventure connects 6 major destinations from Christchurch. The route leads through Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, showcases Dunedin's Victorian heritage, features a UNESCO-listed Milford Sound cruise, and concludes with the scenic TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Omarama, Lake Tekapo, Dunedin, Oamaru, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Walter PeakSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From $5,520
15% Off- NZ$4,692You save $828
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Greymouth, Punakaiki, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Makarora, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From $9,085
20% Off- NZ$7,268You save $1,817
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
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Ohau, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,690
25% Off- NZ$4,268You save $1,422
A 9-day, 540km odyssey across New Zealand's South Island departs Christchurch via TranzAlpine train through Arthur's Pass. The itinerary links six major cities including Franz Josef, Queenstown, and Te Anau, circling back to Christchurch via Dunedin and Omarama.
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
What people love about New Zealand Tours from Christchurch
- 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
- New Zealand – South Island Multisport
Overall is good. The issue is that it was advertised for ages between 12+ to 99. This age group is definitely too broad. My husband and I are in our 70's, but the rest of the group (14) were between 30-50. Although we are outdoor individuals who can hike and cycle for several hours, we were definitely slower than our younger companions. Our interests during these activities re. history/fauna etc... were also not that of the other travelers. Our guide was caught between the needs to ensure safety of 2 separate groups which we felt was unfair to him. Otherwise, itinerary, guide's knowledge and organization were very good.
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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