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LytteltonNature & adventure

Our most recommended Lyttelton Nature & adventure

Christchurch: Guided Crater Rim Walk and Picnic

1. Christchurch: Guided Crater Rim Walk and Picnic

Enjoy a guided walk on Banks Peninsula, an amazing outdoor playground for everybody visiting Christchurch. No more than a 30-minute ride from Christchurch city, enjoy an exhilarating walk around the Crater Rim Track surrounding the caldera of the ancient volcano. The walk provides the opportunity to see and experience New Zealand at its very best. You can choose between a shared walking tour or a private guided walking tour. Begin your journey with pickup from your accommodation from your guide. On the drive to the site of the walk, listen to your guide's entertaining tales of the history of Christchurch and learn about the people who live here. Hot drinks will be provided at a local café as you prepare your hiking equipment with your guide, and receive a lunch box and refreshments before the walk commences. On the walk, immerse yourself in the stunning natural surroundings of New Zealand and feel the refreshing wind in your hair. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, and the chance to hear more about the history of the area during your walk. Take a pause from the walk to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at a picturesque location, here the tour often stops at a little bay which can only be reached by foot or by boat. Marvel at the abundant local bird and marine life in the area while you enjoy your meal. After lunch, join your guide on the walk back to your transportation for a relaxing drive back to your accommodation in Christchurch.

Sea Kayaking Tour form Christchurch (Lyttelton)

2. Sea Kayaking Tour form Christchurch (Lyttelton)

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation or at the designated pickup point. Make your way to Lyttleton Harbor as you drive over the Port Hills via Dyers Pass. Enjoy stunning views of the mountains and coast. Your sea kayak journey begins and ends at Charteris Bay just three minutes from Christchurch’s city center. Your guide will teach you some basic paddle strokes and how to steer your boat before heading off. Paddling towards the head of the harbor, explore the many small bays and rocky cliffs along the way. Find secret sandy beaches while hearing stories about the area from your local guide. Leaving the coast, head out to Quail Island, the largest of the three islands in the harbor and learn about its rich local history. Paddle past a ship’s graveyard, with it's the three partially sunken steamships. Lunch is provided on Quail Island or one of the many small beaches in the local area. On Quail Island, you'll have some free time to explore the island or relax by the beach. If time allows, you will be able to circumnavigate the island and visit the sea cliffs and caves at the Northen far end of the island before heading back to Charteris Bay.

Christchurch: Godley Head & Lyttelton Guided Walking Tour

3. Christchurch: Godley Head & Lyttelton Guided Walking Tour

The day begins with departure from Christchurch, heading through New Zealand's second-longest road tunnel until you arrive in Lyttelton. Enjoy some free time here to explore the historic port town, which is steeped in Antarctic exploration history. Leave Lyttelton via the exceedingly steep and narrow side streets, stopping briefly at the historic Timeball Station and the lookout on Evens Pass. Follow Evens Pass over the Port Hills and down onto Sumner Beach, where your guide lays out a refreshing morning tea. A short drive from Sumner Village brings you to Taylors Mistake Beach. From here, set out on the walking tour of Godley Head, which follows a well-formed loop track of approximately 8 km (3-hours). From Taylors Mistake Beach, the coastal track climbs a small hill before traversing above scenic cliffs. Descend onto a small rocky section of the coast, home to the rare White Flippered Penguin (only found in 2 places New Zealand). The visit to the penguin colony is optional. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, lunch is provided at Boulder Bay or at Godley Head. After lunch, spend some more free time discovering the remnants of the WW2 defenses. The location offers excellent photographic opportunities with uninterrupted views of Lyttelton Harbor, Banks Peninsula, and Christchurch City. On the return journey back to Taylors Mistake Beach, your guide explains the use of the military outpost at Godley Head and New Zealand's involvement in WW2. Finally, the drive back from Taylors Mistake to Christchurch passes through Sumner Village and along the estuary before reaching the inner city block where you will be dropped back at your hotel or the city center.

Christchurch: Rock Climbing with Guide, Lunch, and Transport

4. Christchurch: Rock Climbing with Guide, Lunch, and Transport

The tour starts with a short scenic drive on the way up to the climbing area, known locally as a “crag.” Only 15 minutes from Christchurch, the road passes through the second longest road tunnel in New Zealand and into the historic port town of Lyttelton. You’ll have some time here to explore the quirky little town that has been the launching port for many Antarctic exploration voyages. Leaving Lyttelton, the road ascends steeply up Evans Pass affording views of Lyttelton Harbour and the busy port below. Just 15 minutes from Lyttelton, near the top of the Port Hills, is Cattlestop Crag and other pop-up climbing areas. Your guide will set up some suitable rock climbs for the group and, before anyone starts climbing, you'll have a safety briefing and learn you how to use the equipment. Once everyone has got the hang of the system, your guide will continue to set up appropriately challenging climbs. With over 2,000 climbing routes in Christchurch, there are plenty of options no matter what your level of experience. Take a break to enjoy picnic-style lunch overlooking Christchurch or Lyttelton depending on the climbing area used. After lunch, your guide will set up an abseil for you to try lowing yourself down from the top of a cliff. After the abseil, your guide will take you to another crag in the local area for another abseil or more climbing. Leaving the crag at around 4 PM, you’ll get back into Christchurch around 4:45 PM where your guide will drop you back at your hotel or at the meeting point outside Canterbury Museum.

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What people are saying about Lyttelton

We highly recommend this tour if you come into port at Lyttleton or are in the Christchurch area. Nicole did a great job of communicating what we could expect well in advance of the tour and flexing our pick up time based on the weather forecast. That’s customer service!! She packed a lovely picnic lunch and water bottles, provided walking sticks and guided us at the pace we were comfortable with, stopping as frequently as we wanted to take photos. She is very knowledgeable about the history of the area. Wonderful way to spend time in port!