Sightseeing Tours from Christchurch
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10 best Sightseeing tour packages from Christchurch
Compiled by

MelissaChristchurch travel expert at TourRadar
- New Zealand's South to North Island Adventure (9 destinations)
- New Zealand South Island Adventure (26 destinations)
- Southern Spotlight (2025/2026, Best Buys)
- Southern Spectacular (2026/27)
- South Island Discovery - 10 days
- Budget South Island Explorer - 14 days
- New Zealand Vanlife: Road Trip Adventure & Kiwi Culture (10 destinations)
- Active New Zealand Reunion 35 to 45 (Only Available To Contiki Past Travellers, Reunion)
- Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island
- The Southern Drift (2025/2026)
Duration 11 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Marlborough, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,505
5% Off- NZ$3,330You save $175
Duration 12 days Destinations Christchurch, Westport, Punakaiki, Kumara, Hokitika, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% Off- NZ$6,990
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Omarama, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $5,570
15% Off- NZ$4,735You save $835
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Twizel, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Punakaiki Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $7,585
10% Off- NZ$6,827You save $758
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau, Queenstown, Twizel Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $9,495
5% Off- NZ$9,020You save $475
Duration 14 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
5% Off- NZ$6,765
Duration 18 days Destinations Christchurch, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Queenstown, Mount Aspiring National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Havelock, Wellington, Napier, Coromandel, Auckland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator journaway From $2,661
59% Off- NZ$1,079You save $1,582
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Twizel, Lake Tekapo, Geraldine Age Range 35 to 45 year olds Operator Contiki From
59% Off- NZ$2,975
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Lake Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, The Remarkables, Te AnauSee all destinations Age Range up to 39 year olds Operator Topdeck From $3,939
5% Off- NZ$3,742You save $197
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Ohau, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Inspiring Journeys From $9,820
10% Off- NZ$8,838You save $982
What people love about Sightseeing Tours from Christchurch
- Southern Voyager
Wonderful trip with Wild Kiwi. Although, I got a personal issue, which I really did not know the reason why she blocked me and ignored me. It's the most unhappy issues on this trip, Apart from this, I am very satisfied with others traveller and with the tour guild. It is my pleasure to have such a preparative tour guild and nice travellers. Thank you for giving me a good tour. All the best to your further endeavours! I will recommend this tour for people who don't have a driver license and want to explore around the southern New Zealand.
- Big South
Fun activities to choose from, just what I was looking for. Accommodation is not always as nice as they advertise it to be. The first guide was awesome. The other one I wished that he could talk to us more about NZ (history/nature/culture etc.)
- South Island Snow Safari
Excellent tour which exceeded all expectations. Arguably the best week of my life meeting fantastic people and travelling through the South Island of New Zealand. A real adventure and would do it again in a heartbeat.
What our customers ask about Sightseeing Tours from Christchurch
Which natural landmarks will I typically see first when departing Christchurch?
When you leave Christchurch, you'll first drive through the wide-open Canterbury Plains. About 146 miles out, you'll come to Lake Tekapo with its bright blue waters. One TourRadar traveler mentioned that "the transition from city to Southern Alps scenery is breathtaking." In your first couple of days, you'll stop at lookout points to see the snow-topped Southern Alps, the Banks Peninsula, and Lake Pukaki. From there, you'll get great views of New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
What's the best season for sightseeing tours starting from Christchurch?
Summer (December to February) is peak season, with temperatures between 72-77°F (22-25°C). But here's a local tip from TourRadar travelers: "the shoulder seasons of October-November and March-April offer excellent sightseeing conditions with fewer crowds." If you visit in spring (September-November), when temperatures are 59-68°F (15-20°C), you'll see wildflowers blooming below snow-capped mountains in the Mackenzie Basin and Mount Cook areas. During these prime viewing months, tours often stay at places like the Distinction Christchurch Hotel or Scenic Hotel Cotswold.
How much driving time should I expect between major sightseeing stops from Christchurch?
From Christchurch, you'll spend about 4 hours (250km/155mi) getting to Lake Tekapo, 6 hours (360km/223mi) to Dunedin, and 7 hours (480km/298mi) to Queenstown. Don't worry though - as TourRadar travelers point out, "the drives are part of the experience, with stunning scenery and plenty of photo stops along the way." To break up these longer drives, tours usually stop overnight at places like the Heartland Hotel Queenstown or Scenic Hotel Southern Cross in Dunedin.
What wildlife encounters can I expect on sightseeing tours departing from Christchurch?
Your wildlife adventure starts at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve near Christchurch, where you can spot New Zealand's Big 5: the Kiwi, Kea, Tuatara, Kaka, and Takahe. One TourRadar traveler shared that "the wildlife viewing opportunities were incredible, especially in Kaikoura where we saw whales and seals." You'll also visit penguin colonies near Dunedin, watch seals in Kaikoura, and look for dolphins in the Bay of Islands. Tours often stay at the Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau or Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, both well-placed for wildlife watching.
What alternative transport options besides driving are included in sightseeing tours from Christchurch?
Your tour will mix up the travel methods to keep things interesting. As one TourRadar traveler noted, "the TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps was a highlight of the trip." You'll also get out on the water with boat trips on Milford Sound, rides on the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown, and a journey across Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry. Tours usually stay at hotels like the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier and Copthorne Hotel Wellington, which are perfectly located for these different transport options.
What is the typical duration of sightseeing tours starting from Christchurch?
Most tours run between 10 and 21 days, with the sweet spot being around 16-17 days. The Southern Spirit tour takes 13 days to explore places like Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier and Wellington. If you want to see more, the Natural Wonders of New Zealand tour spends 19 days visiting extra spots like Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula. TourRadar travelers say these longer trips give you time to really enjoy each place without feeling rushed.