Christchurch – Sightseeing with International Antarctic Center

Explore the highlights of Christchurch on this relaxed sightseeing tour through New Zealand's famous garden city. Discover a city in transformation, where heritage architecture and contemporary design sit side by side. Then Combine with the International Antarctic Centre with its little Blue Penguins, Antarctic Storm in the Ice and Snow room, 4-D Movie and Hagglund ride over a purpose made course.

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 Christchurch Highlight Tour including the International Antarctic Centre.

09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then via Dyers Pass to the Sign of the Kiwi. Dyers Pass climbs up the old volcanic crater wall to the summit, from the Sign of the Kiwi there are wonderful views of both the Harbour and the city of Christchurch.

09.30 The tour arrives at the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish like castle which has a viewing platform providing magnificent views over the City of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps which are snow capped for up to 9 months of the year. Access to the viewing platform is via a gentle 5 minute walk.

09.50 Depart the Sign of the Takahe for Mona Vale, a stately home and magnificent gardens.

10.10 Arrive at the front gate house of Mona Vale and stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River which acts as one of the properties boundaries. The coach will then travel around to the rear gate house where your tour guide will meet you once you have had the opportunity to explore the grounds.

10.30 Depart Mona Vale and travel into the central city of Christchurch which was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. Your guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake, you will see for yourself both the destructive powers of nature and the rebuild which has and is taking place. The central city tour will conclude in Cathedral Square where you will be given time to explore this central part of the city on foot. There are some great photo opportunities in this area and time for lunch.

12.45 The tour will depart Cathedral Square for The International Antarctic Centre where a guided tour of the attraction has been arranged. Here you will experience a recreation of the atmosphere of Antarctica with an Antarctic Storm, the Hagglund experience, a 4-D Movie, the feeding of the little Blue Penguins and don’t forget to visit the Huskies.

15.30 Depart the Antarctic Centre and return to Lyttelton via the Eastern Suburbs, the estuary and the beach suburb of Sumner with its sand and surf beaches and the Pacific Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. From Sumner the tour will return to Lyttelton via Evans Pass which was closed for more than 7 years following the Christchurch earthquake of 2011 due to cliff collapse. Evans Pass will provide you with fantastic views of the harbour heads and the southern bays.

16.20 A stop will be made at a viewing platform on the harbour side of Evans Pass which overlooks the ports container and coal terminals and affords great views of both the harbour and the historic Timeball station.

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

Tour Duration 7.5 hours .

Please Note that the times will be adjusted to meet the cruise ships schedule

08.45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your Christchurch Highlight Tour including the International Antarctic Centre.

09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then via Dyers Pass to the Sign of the Kiwi. Dyers Pass climbs up the old volcanic crater wall to the summit, from the Sign of the Kiwi there are wonderful views of both the Harbour and the city of Christchurch.

09.30 The tour arrives at the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish like castle which has a viewing platform providing magnificent views over the City of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps which are snow capped for up to 9 months of the year. Access to the viewing platform is via a gentle 5 minute walk.

09.50 Depart the Sign of the Takahe for Mona Vale, a stately home and magnificent gardens.

10.10 Arrive at the front gate house of Mona Vale and stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River which acts as one of the properties boundaries. The coach will then travel around to the rear gate house where your tour guide will meet you once you have had the opportunity to explore the grounds.

10.30 Depart Mona Vale and travel into the central city of Christchurch which was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. Your guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake, you will see for yourself both the destructive powers of nature and the rebuild which has and is taking place. The central city tour will conclude in Cathedral Square where you will be given time to explore this central part of the city on foot. There are some great photo opportunities in this area and time for lunch.

12.45 The tour will depart Cathedral Square for The International Antarctic Centre where a guided tour of the attraction has been arranged. Here you will experience a recreation of the atmosphere of Antarctica with an Antarctic Storm, the Hagglund experience, a 4-D Movie, the feeding of the little Blue Penguins and don’t forget to visit the Huskies.

15.30 Depart the Antarctic Centre and return to Lyttelton via the Eastern Suburbs, the estuary and the beach suburb of Sumner with its sand and surf beaches and the Pacific Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. From Sumner the tour will return to Lyttelton via Evans Pass which was closed for more than 7 years following the Christchurch earthquake of 2011 due to cliff collapse. Evans Pass will provide you with fantastic views of the harbour heads and the southern bays.

16.20 A stop will be made at a viewing platform on the harbour side of Evans Pass which overlooks the ports container and coal terminals and affords great views of both the harbour and the historic Timeball station.

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

Typical start time: 8.45 am
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 the excursion times will be adjusted to meet the cruise ships schedule.