Sights and sounds of Christchurch

Get to know the city

Christchurch is one of those lovely cities that you will fall in love with from the very start. And on this three hour discovery tour you will get to see lots of the sights. Begin on the Western side of the city before travelling through the central city, the port and seaside suburbs and the Sign of the Takahe and by the end you will have a real flavour of the place.

The city is alive with colour, atmosphere and world-class attractions, including the International Antarctic Centre, Orana Park and Willowbank Wildlife Park. Christchurch is known internationally as the "Garden City" because of its spectacular gardens and is also home to a number of excellent cafes, bars and restaurants. Other highlights include the Botanical Gardens, Lyttelton, Sumner, Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.

fr £34pp

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Admire Akaroa

When staying or just visiting the beautiful South Island city of Christchurch you could be forgiven for not wanting to leave for there is so much to see, do and experience. But this trip to visit the lovely unspoilt old French whaling depot of Akaroa and sample the delights of New Zealand wine and cheese is one that you should really consider.

Just 65 miles from Christchurch, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores, and cafes. Relax or take part in the many activities that are on offer and explore the dramatic outer bays and take your time to soak in the magic of this area. You may need more than a day to appreciate this little piece of paradise.

fr £123pp

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Wine and whales

Spend your day getting close to nature on this great tour. Travel by road through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural scenes, to Kaikoura where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins.

On arrival in Kaikoura you will be taken to board a whale watch tour boat then head off into the ocean looking for giant sperm whales and other whale species, dolphins, seals and the Royal Albatross. On your return journey back to Christchurch a stop will be made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged.

fr £168pp

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Head for the pass

On this memorable trip you leave Christchurch and travel by road through the pastoral scenes of the Canterbury Plains. When you arrive at Springfield board your train and begin your journey through the stunning Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass, along the way viewing the magnificent alpine scenery from the large panoramic windows.

This is said to be one of the great train journeys in the world and there are so many photo opportunities. When you arrive at Arthur’s Pass you continue by road into the snow-capped Southern Alps. Beyond Arthur’s Pass is the breathtaking beauty of the Otira Gorge and you will have magnificent views from the top at the Viaduct Lookout.

fr £203pp

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Take a Cook's tour

Start this full day tour to Queenstown via Mount Cook early in the morning to make sure you see as much as possible. From Christchurch you are driven through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, to see the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range. Your tour continues along the Tasman River before arriving at New Zealand's tallest mountain, Mount Cook.

Stop for lunch at Mt Cook Village, set within a National Park, and admire the breathtaking scenery. During the afternoon the tour continues south through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country then stop for tea at the quaint village of Omarama and visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. You will arrive in world famous Queenstown in the evening.

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Coast along the coast

The Coastal Pacific train travels between Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, and the delightful port of Picton. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your carriage and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way you pass through the village of Kaikoura, where you can break your journey for whale watching or swimming with the dolphins.

On this trip from Christchurch you travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, and see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins from the comfort of your train carriage. One of the world's most scenic train journeys, the Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges and the train has an open air viewing carriage.

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Coast to coast

The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand's South Island to the other. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth.

All carriages include both one way seating and tabled group seating allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers. An open air viewing carriage lets you get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots. This wonderful train journey lasts for four and a half hours.

call now 020·7962·9933