Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Christchurch while your ship is at port in Lyttelton. This tour highlights both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild which is currently in progress, paired with the surviving beauty of the city and historical landmarks.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Lyttelton Harbour
The default start time is 8.30am or up to 1 hour after your ship commences disembarkation, depending on what time your ship docks.
Mona Vale
Mona Vale Gardens with its picturesque ponds and water.
What‘s Included
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights
Pickup included
Reviews
220 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Christchurch city tour was fabulous
Wanda R,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great sightseeing trip to Christchurch, Graham had lots of information about the 2011 earthquake. So devastating
Local's insightful guide to Christchurch
Sharelle D,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A good, quick way to see the highlights of Christchurch including beautiful Mona Vale. Our guide who was a local and retired engineer gave an insightful, comprehensive tour of Christchurch, the earthquakes and the aftermath. Good info on the best coffee and scones in the market. No worries about pickup and drop off to the cruise ship. Highly recommend. Support the local businesses and its people and book this tour.
Christchurch Whirlwind
Rebecca B,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Beautiful picturesque drive to Christchurch. Our driver/guide Scotty provided a lot of history of the area along the way. He showed us where most of the highlights were in Christchurch and turned us loose to discover them ourselves. Time was at a premium with only a half hour in the gardens and an hour in the city. More time for both would have been great, even if only a half hour. Overall a good tour, however depending on public shuttle buses as the only means to get to the meeting sight was problematic.
Scotty is the bees knees!
rachaelwilkinson,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very well organised. Saw everything as planned. Scotty was our super knowledgeable, fun and friendly driver guide and kept us informed and amused the whole time. Very professional, many thanks, would highly recommend!
A Lovely City
lorie159,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scotty, our Guide for the tour was so informative and because he's from there was able to share long time history with us, especially about the ongoing restoration efforts in rebuilding from the 2011 earthquake, now 15 years later. Of note is the Christ Church Cathedral and the cost that keeps increasing with no agreement. On our ship we learned about the 5,000 homes that "sunk" and the liquefication. Seeing it was such a reality. This city captured me. It was my favorite NZ city.
Relaxing day being driven around
Robyn G,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Thankyou Alan for the day in and around Christchurch. Got to see more than i thought and as a first time visitor was surprised with all you showed us. Robyn, Syd, Aus
Great tour
rochelle m,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very good tour and the driver Carl was fantastic he gave us so much information about Christchurch and showed us the whole area and downtown. We would highly recommend the tour.
Lyttleton/Christchurch
Vincent P,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A small quaint town with main street comprising of a couple of eating places and a few local art and craft stores. Limited time is better utilised by taking a short bus ride into Christchurch which has great selection of eateries and beautiful gardens and parks complimented by the hop on/off tram allowing you to explore many POI of the city.
Great day in Christchurch and great value.
geoffrey B,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tremendous overview of Christchurch and Lyttleton; geology, history, culture, economy and architecture. Scotty was a nonstop stream of great information and humor! Very enjoyable day with a guide who could answer every question about anything.
Excellent tour guide
Dan C,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Scotty our tour guide was excellent as he provided all of us information on all the areas the tour travelled. He was very informative and had a nice sense of humor which made it interesting. The drive through the countryside was beautiful and the stop in Christchurch was wonderful. Highly recommend this tour.
From NZ$100.00
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