Sightseeing Christchurch| Akaroa Day | Cruise Ship Tours| Private Day Tours l Private South Island Tours |
Private Day Tours
Our speciality is a tour for a small group of people (up to 10 persons). You may have special interests, want a purely leisure outing, or want us to adapt a regular tour for you.
In keeping with our style, we can provide you an affordable and unique day out. Contact us to discuss your plans and we will come back to you with a specific itinerary and price for your day.
Onawe Peninsula, site of a Maori Pa destroyed by
Te Rauparaha
Some suggestions for your day......
- Our regular day tour to Akaroa – always a great day out.
- Our regular day tour sightseeing Christchurch - since our earthquake the original tour has been modified but is by no means second best!
- An excursion to Arthur's Pass in the very heart of our mountains, perhaps using the Tranzalpine railway one way.
- Explore Waipara’s vineyards, taste some of the wines and enjoy a relaxed lunch.
- Spend the day relaxing in the pools at Hanmer Springs – maybe even have a massage and beauty treatment.
- There are bays and valleys around Banks Peninsula that few people get to see - just look at the photographs on this page. Why not search out some of these local secrets?
- If you are an art lover we would gladly arrange a day where you can visit local artists and view their work i.e. why not an Art Tour?
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A remote Banks Peninsula bay |
A picnic lunch by the sea |
ARTHUR'S PASS TOUR
There is a real sense of freedom as you drive out of Christchurch and see the blue haze of our Southern Alps ahead. The flatness of the Canterbury Plains soon becomes a rolling landscape and then suddenly there you are climbing steeply up Porters Pass on the road which takes you into the heart of the mountains.
There is so much rugged scenery to see; dramatic changes in vegetation from tussock to southern beech trees; wide gravel bedded snow fed rivers and sub-alpine lakes; high country stations and national park. We will stop for you to explore a little, take photographs and enjoy the "silence".
Our tour takes us through Arthur's Pass, our lunch stop, and over the highest point of the pass to the viaduct lookout. Here you are on the West Coast!
Departs 8.00am
Returns 4.45pm
Option: Taking the Tranzalpine train one way to Arthur's Pass is an option for you. This diverges from the road at the base of the mountains and travels alongside the Waimakariri Gorge for part of the way. You can be met at Arthur's Pass mid-morning and enjoy the road tour from there.
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ART TOUR
This is a wonderful day trip for those who love art and gardens too. Lyttelton and Lyttelton Harbour, in fact the whole of Banks Peninsula, is home to many artists, gardeners and combinations of both. The sea, the light and rolling hills provide an ever present inspiration and the many quiet places provide spaces in which creativity can find expression.
On this tour we would aim to have you meet local artists in their own working environment, view their work and sometimes see how they work. We would also take in one exceptional garden if that was your choice.
Depart 9.00am
Return 4.30pm |
WAIPARA VINEYARD TOUR
The Waipara Valley is situated only 40 minutes drive north of Christchurch and is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand. Each vineyard has unique characters that contribute to a range of wine styles that demand a visit to each winery to fully appreciate Waipara. Unique rich, spicy pinot noirs and rieslings are regional specialties. Other varieties of note include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
To ensure you get to know our regional taste, we will taste wines at three different vineyards and lunch at one.
Depart 10.30am
Return 3.30pm
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HANMER SPRINGS
Hanmer Springs is a 90 minute drive from Christchurch and is best known for the award-winning Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, where you can enjoy a hot soak in the pools and/or pampering at the Spa. Jetboating and bungy jumping are nearby so we will spend the day in and around this pretty sub-alpine village.
On the return drive to Christchurch we have the option of stopping in the Waipara wine area where some good wine tasting is an option.
Depart 8.30am
Return 5.30pm
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For our Cruise Ship Visitors
Specially designed sightseeing for guests with only a day to spend in Christchurch. These shore excursions, or any other daytours of your choosing, are also available for private hire and can be adapted to suit you. Maximum 10 people. |
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