Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic view points on a half-day city tour of Christchurch. Wander the Monavale Gardens with pretty ponds and water features, drive through the city center with its historic buildings and architecture. Visit the seaside suburb of Sumner, and travel to the Sign of the Takahe to admire the spectacular views over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Choose either a morning or afternoon departure, and upgrade to include the Intentional Antarctic Center.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
What To Expect
The tour commences by covering the central city highlights including the Botanical Gardens, Museum and Art Centre, Avon River and the Bridge of Remembrance. Then leave the inner city and drivel to Mona Vale, a historic homestead and gardens. Here you will have time to take a short stroll within the 5.5 hectares of richly landscaped gardens, ponds and fountains. Next, travel up to ’Sign of the Takahe’ a historical building nestled atop the Cashmere Hills, with spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. Journey back to the city to the Port of Lyttleton, through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and cave rock before returning to the central city where the tour will conclude. Optional upgrade: Why not combine the Christchurch Sightseeing tour with admission into the International Antarctic Center. The center recreates the atmosphere of Antarctica with a Snow and Ice Experience, the Blue Penguin Encounter and an exhilarating Hagglung ride. This option only available for the morning departure and will add an additional two-hours to your sightseeing tour.
Options
AM Tour
3-hr guided Christchurch city tour Pickup included
AM Tour, Antarctic & Hagglund
3-hr guided Christchurch city tour including International Antarctic Center admission and Hagglund ride Pickup included
PM Tour
3-hr guided Christchurch city tour Pickup included
What‘s Included
Local guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
Hagglund ride (if option selected)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
51 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great guide!
T7162OFiane,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scotty was very knowledgeable and was great to listen too! This tour was just 3.5 hours but a lot was packed in . If short time do it!
Great guide and tour
Sarah R,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great. Scotty our tour guide enabled us to see the key elements of Christchurch. His commentary provided fantastic information on the city in the context of the earthquake in the terms of geological history.
Mega
angi102017,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great tour very much info, the most beautiful places. Thank you Scotty
Tour guide no show
604larryc,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The tour didn't happen because thr tour guide didn't show up.
Around Christchurch
Swithyburd,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Not really what we expected. Brent was a lovely guy, but not really a tour guide- very little commentary. No introduction or explanation of what to expect. Usually book a tour for when we arrive in a new place to get an idea of places we should visit. The tour was delayed to the afternoon, so we had already done the centre of Christchurch by tram. Went to the surrounding areas of Christchurch- Mona Vale was nice (would have preferred coffee stop here). Travelled through quite industrial parts of Christchurch eventually arriving at a viewpoint over the port at Lyttelton, which wasn't particularly picturesque. Returned through Sumner to Christchurch. Bit disappointed with tour content & lack of commentary.
Worth the tine abd the price.
Irene G,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a lovely 3 hour tour with a great driver and guide. Walked through some beautiful and pristine gardens, then later enjoyed a fabulous warm date scone with fresh cream! Yum.
Our guide was not very...
Brad L,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Our guide was not very informative about what we were seeing. Lots of silence as we toured. Some of his facts were incorrect. Told us the last volcanic eruption was 600 years ago. We Googled it and found out it was 6 million years ago.
Do yourself a favour and if you want at tour of Christchurch go no further than Leisure Tours and Joseph for an overall perspect
Trail37558825307,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joseph from Leisure tours is an ex engineer so had a unique perspective of earthquake and its impacts. As a life long resident he could speak to the city before and after the quake. He took the tour beyond the city to the east coast harbour and beaches through some amazing scenery. Two stops for short walks in a jam packed 3 hours of amazing information. Leisure tours were only company willing to pick me up from my hotel which was not on the prescribed list. A totally exceptional experience.
Great tour with knowledgeable local guide!
James C,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Joseph was a terrific guest and it was great to have a guide with such a deep knowledge and passion for his city. Joseph was engaging, entertaining and gave us some nice recommendations for the rest of our journey in New Zealand.
Not to be missed!
323jpt,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great fun and informative. Beautiful scenery. Despite our trip being cut short due to an earlier cruise ship departure time because of incoming bad weather, our driver Joseph excelled in giving us the best experience possible in the time available. Would thoroughly recommend.
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Operated by Leisure Tours