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
206 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very cool half day tour
Naomi H,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Our ship wasnt running shuttles in Christchurch this day, so we booked this tour on a whim and it was great. A quick way to see as much as possible while in port.
See a lot in a little time!
dlvins,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our cruise ship changed arrival and departure times and Leisure Tours was very accommodating in making adjustments. The office staff communicated well and Scotty was a great guide/driver. We had less time in each place but still saw and enjoyed all!
A great tour but not sure about the bus
userid42,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour was really good and highlighted the most beautiful aspects of the city of Christchurch. The visit to Mona Vale Gardens was especially enjoyable. Carl, our guide, was informative, helpful, and friendly. Sadly, the bus we were in was a bit of a letdown. The sound system only worked occasionally, so we couldn’t always hear Carl’s commentary. There were also broken seats, including the sharp edges of broken handles which scratched the skin of both me and my wife. No great harm but it could have been worst.
Scotty was an excellent...
Judith G,,Apr 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Scotty was an excellent tour guide who showed us around Christchurch making our tour fun and interesting. Hearing about the 2011 earthquake and seeing the devastation plus the rebuilding was so informative.
Stunning scenery with time to enjoy the destinations.
Kym d,,Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were in Port for the day and they picked us up from where the ship shuttle dropped us off. Easy to find tour group. Really friendly staff and a great tour to really enjoy the beauty of the area. We were offered the option to end the tour in the city to have a bit more time to explore and then catch the public bus back to Port for only $4. But we had been there before and opted to go back to the Port and explore the town of Lyttleton before reboarding the ship.
Great Day !!
David G,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00GREAT tour with Scotty .. very knowledgeable and entertaining ... lot of great stops and plenty of time at each location .. Very comfortable tour bus too .. highly recommend.
Not really a tour, more of a car service
TravelingBill,,Mar 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00This tour took us to the places on the itinerary. Not much commentary or information given , more of a car service than a tour
AVOID THIS TOUR COMPANY
bradleyk741,,Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00AVOID THIS TOUR COMPANY! Tour was overbooked. Instead of a small bus tour with guide, we were placed on a large coach bus. Their other company vans were at port. We were unfortunate ones placed on a coach bus, even though I booked 4 months in advance. Our bus driver apologized to us at end of ride, not tour. He said tour was overbooked and he was just a driver, not a guide. Said he was contracted day before to provide bus. He handed out tour company cards to get a refund. Our ride consisted of the driver providing no commentary. He would drop us off at a site, then tell us how much time we had. PERIOD. At the gardens, he dropped us off, told us to follow path, then he would meet us in 30 minutes at other side of park. The path was a maze. A group of us just tried to figure out how to navigate park without getting lost. We obviously did not enjoy park. No commentary at any stop. Just a bus. Could have just travelled by city bus. Did not stop at Riverside Market. Trip details from company says maximum of 30 per tour, our bus held over 40. Since I booked thru TripAdvisor, contacted them. They did not follow up to me. I had to contact them again, told me company denied refund. Will now contact credit card for refund. If I could rate zero stars, I would. Do yourself a favor, do not book tours with Leisure Tours.
Comprehensive tour full of interest
Michael D,,Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good tour via coach, and a knowledgeable guide/ driver. Tour starts via short shuttle from Littleton port to village centre, changing to tour coach across high hills into and around Christchurch, back via a different route. VFM
Trip
Joseph D,,Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Big bus. Lots of people. Not a lot of talking about where we are going or what we are doing. Lots of people.
From NZ$100.00
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Operated by Leisure Tours