Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Guided Crater Rim Walk and Picnic

Escape the crowds and embark on a guided Crater Rim Walk in Lyttelton. Enjoy stunning coastal views, historic landmarks, and a picnic lunch at a secluded beach.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Sumner Beach (Cave Rock) - After meeting your guide at Lyttelton Port, you will be transported in a 12-seater van to Sumner Beach (approximately 10 minutes drive), where you will enjoy a hot drink on the deck of a seaside cafe overlooking the ocean and Cave Rock. This is a beautiful landmark and a great start to the day.
  • **Taylors Mistake -…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Walking poles
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Port pickup
  • Tea and coffee
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Escape the hustle and bustle and relish a remarkable day in nature with this breathtaking guided Crater Rim Walk. Lyttelton Harbour is beautifully situated within an extinct volcano crater. Participants will be greeted at Lyttelton Port by their guide and transported in a 12-seater van to Sumner Beach, where they can enjoy hot beverages at a café with…

Location
Sumner Beach (Cave Rock)
The Esplanade, Sumner Beach
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(70 Ratings)
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Susan_r
Apr 6, 2026
Thrill of a lifetime crater hike. - This is a hike - 5 miles - around the crater rim and includes some steep hills and climbing rocky stairs. Our guide was fantastic. Emma was knowledgeable about the area and kept checking with us on hike options to either up the difficulty or adjust to simpler pathways. The scenery is breathtaking and you see ocean views from 3 different directions as you navigate the rim! People need to follow the physical recommendations and understand you should be in good shape without mobility restrictions to make this trek. Lunch and snacks were included. Everything was healthy and delicious!
Review provided by Viator
Elainel875
Apr 5, 2026
Incredible Experience - We recently visited New Zealand and booked with Crater Rim Walks for the guided walking tour and picnic at the Godley Head Loop Trail. If I could give it 100 stars, I would!! This was one of our favorite excursions of our entire trip!! The communication, hospitality and professionalism on this tour was top notch! But the hike itself was stunning! The views and the picnic were just off the charts!! Our guides were knowledgeable and accommodating and just so thoughtful. I highly recommend this experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_h
Mar 21, 2026
Beautiful walk around Godley Head - We had a very nice day with Helen and Dave. The hike was mainly near the coast with great views. The guides were super nice and competent. However, you should be fit and good on foot.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_e
Mar 21, 2026
Do this one if you can! - The scenery is beautiful! Our guides Flock and Emma were fantastic! Snacks and lunch were provided and were delicious. Be aware you will be walking about 7 miles and much of it is up hill. It was a very good representation of New Zealand.
Review provided by Viator
Alfred_c
Mar 21, 2026
Stunning sweeping Mountain View - Emma and Flick were personable, patient and genuinely interested in everyone in the group. They made the 8 mile undulating hike go smoothly and efficiently. They kept an easy pace throughout and one of them always stayed with those in the group who couldn’t keep up. The day started with coffee, tea or hot chocolate at a beach cafe. There was a snack break, and bathrooms after an hour. Lunch was delicious and healthy: salad and vegetarian quiche. If you don’t want to miss out on the gloriously sweeping mountain views, this cruise ship Shore Excursion is for you!
Review provided by Viator
Gilesa2013
Mar 17, 2026
LOVED this experience!! - Helen and Dave were excellent guides, with attention to all details and keeping the pace suitable for all participants. The lunch exceeded expectations and the views were stunning! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bbjackson1
Mar 14, 2026
Do this amazing hike with thoughtful extras! - First, I wanted to know that we took this as part of an excursion we planned on our own from our cruise stop in Lyttleton Port. Second and most importantly , Helen and Dave were fabulous guides. They took us to an amazing local café on the beach for morning coffee and tea, gave us lots of details about the local history, including background on the Māori. Helen & Dave provided all the essential & quite a few especially thoughtful extras: walking sticks, reusable NZ water bottles that we could take with us, sunscreen and a hat for those who forgot them. Helen even lent her own hat to someone whose cap kept blowing off due to the very high winds during our trek.. There were so many extras: an amazing lunch in a reusable bento box, healthy snacks for a break on the journey, and an amazing lunch spot. We truly loved the sustainable nature of this tour, our amazing guides, and the fantastic scenery from the beach to the history to the crater. We can’t say enough about our fabulous and this amazing local company, Crater Rim Walks. Definitely plan hike with them if you are. In Lyttleton! You will not be disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Betty
Mar 13, 2026
Crater Rim Walk an Excellent Adventure! - I stepped out solo for this adventure after feeling inspired by a thumbs up on a Celebrity cruise FB group. The Rim Walk met my expectations for experiencing something off the beaten path. Wonderful guides, Nicole and Ita, were thoughtful, knowledgeable, and communicated well before and after. Just do it, you will not regret!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valerie_c
Mar 9, 2026
Excellent excursion/great value - This was an amazing experience. The company took care of everything. They provided a hot beverage, water, snacks and lunch, poles, and even backpacks. The guides, Emma and Herb were lovely and helpful. The scenery was beautiful. This was one of our favorite experiences of our trip. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Explorer22385965139
Feb 28, 2026
Amazing hiking experience - We thoroughly enjoyed our hiking trip with Emma! She first took us to a lovely coffee shop, then drove us to the trail while giving us interesting facts/history about Lyttleton. On the trail, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the hike was not too difficult. Emma was very attentive and engaging, and thoughtfully provided us with backpacks, water, snacks, and lunch. We would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $177
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).