Christchurch Earthquake Recovery: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

Embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Christchurch while your ship is at port in Lyttelton. This tour highlights both the damage to the city inflicted by several large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild which is currently in progress, paired with the surviving beauty of the city and historical landmarks.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Lyttelton Harbour - The default start time is 8.30am or up to 1 hour after your ship commences disembarkation, depending on what time your ship docks.
  • Mona Vale - Mona Vale Gardens with its picturesque ponds and water.
  • Sign of the Takahe - Best spot to admire some spectacular views over the City, Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps.
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What's Included
  • Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
  • Professional Driver/Guide
  • Comfortable In-Vehicle Air Conditioning
  • Convenient Port Pickup and Drop-off
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information
  • At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.5
(203 Ratings)
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Judith_g
Apr 18, 2025
Scotty was an excellent... - Scotty was an excellent tour guide who showed us around Christchurch making our tour fun and interesting. Hearing about the 2011 earthquake and seeing the devastation plus the rebuilding was so informative.
Review provided by Viator
Kym_d
Apr 2, 2025
Stunning scenery with time to enjoy the destinations. - We were in Port for the day and they picked us up from where the ship shuttle dropped us off. Easy to find tour group. Really friendly staff and a great tour to really enjoy the beauty of the area. We were offered the option to end the tour in the city to have a bit more time to explore and then catch the public bus back to Port for only $4. But we had been there before and opted to go back to the Port and explore the town of Lyttleton before reboarding the ship.
Review provided by Viator
David_g
Mar 30, 2025
Great Day !! - GREAT tour with Scotty .. very knowledgeable and entertaining ... lot of great stops and plenty of time at each location .. Very comfortable tour bus too .. highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Michael_d
Mar 22, 2025
Comprehensive tour full of interest - Good tour via coach, and a knowledgeable guide/ driver. Tour starts via short shuttle from Littleton port to village centre, changing to tour coach across high hills into and around Christchurch, back via a different route. VFM
Review provided by Viator
Jeremy_t
Mar 20, 2025
Check the *Exact* meeting... - Check the *Exact* meeting point. We went to Fisherman’s Wharf as instructed, but the coaches were parked further down the road. We came very close to missing the trip. Other than that it was an excellent trip with a very knowledgeable local driver.
Review provided by Viator
Travelingbill
Mar 23, 2025
Not really a tour, more of a car service - This tour took us to the places on the itinerary. Not much commentary or information given , more of a car service than a tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_d
Mar 21, 2025
Trip - Big bus. Lots of people. Not a lot of talking about where we are going or what we are doing. Lots of people.
Review provided by Viator
Samuel_w
Mar 20, 2025
A 3 hour tour? - I signed up for a 3 hour tour to see Christchurch. I got that, but was also left in Christchurch for 3 hours additionally on my own. Fortunately the weather was nice and I had no other plans. But this makes me worry about other viator tours I have scheduled. Can I believe what I signed up for, or will I get stranded on my own again.
Review provided by Viator
Bradleyk741
Mar 22, 2025
AVOID THIS TOUR COMPANY - AVOID THIS TOUR COMPANY! Tour was overbooked. Instead of a small bus tour with guide, we were placed on a large coach bus. Their other company vans were at port. We were unfortunate ones placed on a coach bus, even though I booked 4 months in advance. Our bus driver apologized to us at end of ride, not tour. He said tour was overbooked and he was just a driver, not a guide. Said he was contracted day before to provide bus. He handed out tour company cards to get a refund. Our ride consisted of the driver providing no commentary. He would drop us off at a site, then tell us how much time we had. PERIOD. At the gardens, he dropped us off, told us to follow path, then he would meet us in 30 minutes at other side of park. The path was a maze. A group of us just tried to figure out how to navigate park without getting lost. We obviously did not enjoy park. No commentary at any stop. Just a bus. Could have just travelled by city bus. Did not stop at Riverside Market. Trip details from company says maximum of 30 per tour, our bus held over 40. Since I booked thru TripAdvisor, contacted them. They did not follow up to me. I had to contact them again, told me company denied refund. Will now contact credit card for refund. If I could rate zero stars, I would. Do yourself a favor, do not book tours with Leisure Tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maureeng_m
Mar 13, 2025
Disappointing - Be sure of dates and weather. Tour provider is confusing. Booked tour. Received email correcting date but tickets with wrong date. Took several attempts to get ticket corrected. When weather interfered with ability to do our tour there was no consideration despite having booked several other tours. Enquired about change in time of tour without success. Can’t in good conscience recommend provider.
Review provided by Viator