Christchurch – Sightseeing with Sheep Farm Tour and Morning Tea

Visit a working sheep farm with dog mustering, sheep shearing, and afternoon tea. Continue with a sightseeing tour of Christchurch, exploring the city’s historic landmarks, beautiful gardens and picturesque surroundings. Learn about the devastating earthquakes of 2011, see the remarkable rebuild that continues today, and discover how Christchurch has transformed while retaining its unique heritage and charm.

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 with working sheep farm experience.

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 working sheep farm. Depending on availability the farm will be either west of the city in the foothills of the Southern Alps or on Banks Peninsula.

13.45 Arrive at the working sheep farm where you will enjoy the experience of sheep dogs working, rounding up the flock and penning them in for you to touch, examine and photograph. A sheep shearing demonstration has then been arranged for you, during the shearing demonstration the farmer will explain about the different types of wool and how it is dealt with once shorn. Following the farm tour and shearing demonstration afternoon tea will be served with a choice of tea or coffee and a selection of home made cakes.

15.30 Depart the farm and return to Lyttelton.

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

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

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 Highlights Tour with working sheep farm experience.

10.00 – Arrive at the sheep farm, where you will enjoy an authentic New Zealand farming experience. See sheep dogs working, rounding up the flock and penning them in for you to touch, examine and photograph. A sheep shearing demonstration will also be arranged, with the farmer explaining the different types of wool and how it is dealt with once shorn. Following the farm experience, enjoy morning tea with a choice of tea or coffee and a selection of homemade delights.

11.30 – Depart the sheep farm and travel back towards Christchurch.

12.30 – Arrive at Mona Vale, a stately home surrounded by magnificent gardens. Take a stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River which forms one of the property’s boundaries. The coach will then travel around to the rear gatehouse where your tour guide will meet you once you have had the opportunity to explore the gardens.

13.00 – Depart Mona Vale and travel into the central city of Christchurch, which was 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 taken place and continues today.

The central city tour will include the major highlights of Christchurch, concluding in Cathedral Square, where you will have time to explore this central part of the city on foot and enjoy some great photo opportunities.

Time for lunch – Continue to Riverside Market, where you will have free time to choose and purchase lunch from the wide selection of local food and cafés.

14.30 – Depart Christchurch city and travel via the Port Hills. The route climbs through the old volcanic crater wall towards the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish-style building with a viewing platform providing magnificent views over the city of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, which can be snow-capped for much of the year.

Continue via the Port Hills towards Sumner, enjoying the scenic views over Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour before travelling back towards Lyttelton.

16.00 approx. – Arrive back in Lyttelton township, where your awaiting shuttle will transfer you back to your cruise ship.

Typical start time: 8.45am
Duration: 7.5 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 the excursion times will be adjusted to meet the cruise ships schedule.
Please note minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed.