Christchurch – Twin Harbours – Lyttelton & Akaroa

A tour highlighting the magnificent scenery of Banks Peninsula and the twin harbour’s of Lyttelton & Akaroa. Travel 90 minutes from Lyttelton to Akaroa, a historic French Village with much culture and heritage charm to explore. Enjoy a two-hour nature cruise on Akaroa Harbour viewing wildlife, sea caves and giant volcanic sea cliffs.

Please Note that the timings below are indicative only for cruise ships berth by 8 am or earlier. For all other cruise ships with a later arrival time in Lyttelton the excursion times will be adjusted to meet the cruise ships schedule.

08.45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your twin harbour shore excursion to Akaroa Harbour.

09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then onto Gebbies Pass before joining the Akaroa Highway near Lake Ellesmere, here on a clear day you will have magnificent views across the lake to the Southern Alps which are snowcapped for 9 months of the year. The excursion carries onto Lake Forsyth and then the rural township of Little River prior to ascending to the summit of Akaroa Harbour and the Hill Top. The stop at the Hill Top affords a magnificent view of the entire Akaroa Harbour and a fantastic photo opportunity. The tour continues onto the township of Akaroa, originally settled by the French and maintaining some of its French character.

10.45 Join a 2-hour nature and harbour cruise on the Canterbury Cat, with Black Cat Cruises, you will experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector’s dolphins, as you hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. The Hector’s Dolphin is the world’s smallest oceanic dolphin. On the cruise you should see spectacular volcanic sea cliffs and sea caves, penguins and seals while enjoying a commentary on this beautiful area.

12.45 On the return of the cruise you will be transferred to a popular local waterfront restaurant Bully Hayes, where lunch will be served, (optional extra). Following lunch there will be time to explore the charming French settlement with the many fine craft and produce shops and old French colonial buildings.

14.30 The excursion departs Akaroa and on the return journey to Lyttelton visits the Cheese factory in Barry’s Bay for a tasting of some of their fine European style cheeses. The excursion then moves onto Birdlings Flat, (a shingle beach at the tip of Banks Peninsula, affording great views of this rugged southern coastline). A host of colourful pebbles can be found amongst the shingle along the coast. Your excursion then continues through the Canterbury Plains and the southern suburbs of Christchurch City to the Sign of the Takahe, a park-like setting on the hills above Christchurch affording wonderful views of the city of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. Departing the Sign of the Takahe the tour travels through the Eastern Suburbs of Christchurch City to the Lyttelton Harbour Tunnel, a two-kilometer road tunnel taking you through to Lyttelton.

17.00 The tour returns you to Lyttelton township where your awaiting shuttle transfers you back to your cruise ship.

Tour Duration 8 hours.

Please note minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed.

The 2-hour nature cruise is included in the cost of the excursion. Lunch at Bully Hayes is an optional extra.

Please Note: Times can be adjusted to meet the cruise ships schedule

08.45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your twin harbour shore excursion to Akaroa Harbour.

09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then onto Gebbies Pass before joining the Akaroa Highway near Lake Ellesmere, here on a clear day you will have magnificent views across the lake to the Southern Alps which are snowcapped for 9 months of the year. The excursion carries onto Lake Forsyth and then the rural township of Little River prior to ascending to the summit of Akaroa Harbour and the Hill Top. The stop at the Hill Top affords a magnificent view of the entire Akaroa Harbour and a fantastic photo opportunity. The tour continues onto the township of Akaroa, originally settled by the French and maintaining some of its French character.

10.45 Join a 2-hour nature cruise , you will experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector’s dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, native seabirds, and dramatic volcanic cliffs.

12.45 On the return of the cruise you will be transferred to a popular local waterfront restaurant Bully Hayes, where lunch will be served, (optional extra). Following lunch there will be time to explore the charming French settlement with the many fine craft and produce shops and old French colonial buildings.

14.00 – Depart Akaroa and begin the return journey to Lyttelton.

Approx. 16.30 – The tour returns you to Lyttelton township where your awaiting shuttle transfers you back to your cruise ship.

Lunch

Please note minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed.

Typical start time: 8.45am
Duration (source): 8 hours
Please Note that the timings are indicative only for cruise ships berth by 8 am or earlier.
For all other cruise ships with a later arrival time in Lyttelton this tour may not be available.