fbpx Skip to content

Christchurch is a popular cruise ship destination, with cruise visitors docking at ports in nearby Lyttelton and Akaroa. Our range of attractions offer a fantastic way to see and explore New Zealand’s second largest city during your excursion time.

All the best experiences in Christchurch

Christchurch Tram

Our all-day Tram passes are ideal for seeing Christchurch’s central city, offering a live commentary for you to learn about the sights and hop-on hop-off travel to explore the many must-visit locations. A full circuit of the tram route takes approximately 50 minutes to complete.

Purchase a ticket online and redeem on board our tramcars at any of our stops, or purchase a ticket from our hosts or drivers on arrival.

Punting on the Avon

Refined and relaxing, our iconic punt rides have been operating on the picturesque Avon River for over 35 years. Join us for a 30-minute guided punt ride with informative commentary from your classically-attired punter at one of our two sites: float through the Botanic Gardens from our Antigua Boat Sheds landing or see the central city’s Avon River Precinct from our Worcester Bridge landing.

Located within easy walking distance of the Christchurch Tram route, this activity pairs perfectly with a Christchurch Tram pass: consider our Tram & Punt combo for discounted entry to both attractions.

Bookings are essential at the Antigua Boat Sheds, so please ensure you book for a tour ahead of time to avoid long waits on arrival. Walk-up bookings are available at Worcester Bridge, so advance bookings are not required at this location.

Christchurch Gondola

Located atop the Port Hills overlooking Lyttelton Harbour, the Christchurch Gondola is easily accessible from both Christchurch City and the port of Lyttelton and offers stunning panoramic views. Our Gondola Shuttle operates between Cathedral Square in the central city and the Christchurch Gondola on cruise ship days: the shuttle departs from Cathedral Square on the half hour from 9:30am until 3:30pm, and from the Christchurch Gondola on the hour from 10am until 4pm. You can also catch the #8 public bus from either Lyttelton or central Christchurch and disembark at the door of the Gondola, or travel via taxi or rideshare service. The cablecar journey takes approximately 10 minutes each way, and attractions at the summit include walking track access, licensed café, discovery ride and retail store.

We recommend allowing around 2 hours for a visit to the Gondola including travel time (5 minutes via taxi or bus from Lyttelton, and 15-30 minutes via taxi or bus from central Christchurch).

Botanic Gardens Tour

Our Botanic Gardens Tour is the perfect way to explore Christchurch’s stunning Botanic Gardens. See the seasonal highlights in comfort on board the eco-friendly electric shuttles, and learn about the sights with a live commentary from your driver. The 40-minute guided tour offers a comprehensive yet time-efficient overview of this much-loved space.

Tours depart between 10am and 3:30pm daily and bookings are essential: book online today.

ORGANISING YOUR DAY

For a full day in Christchurch from Lyttelton Harbour, we recommend visiting the Christchurch Gondola in the morning on your way into the city and combining visits to the Christchurch Tram, Punting on the Avon and the Botanic Gardens Tour during the afternoon before returning to the wharf.

You can also switch this itinerary to head straight into the central city to visit the Christchurch Tram, Punting on the Avon and the Botanic Gardens Tour before visiting the Christchurch Gondola in the afternoon and then travelling back to Lyttelton wharf.

Please contact our Punting on the Avon reservations team at info@punting.co.nz to make a reservation ahead of time as bookings are essential for this attraction (please make sure you arrive at Punting in plenty of time, as guests who miss their booked rides will not be able to be refunded).

Directions to our attractions

Shuttles from the cruise ship will be arriving in Christchurch City on Cashel Street.

Christchurch Tram: from the shuttle drop off point you can walk one block east along Cashel Street to the Bridge of Remembrance to catch the Christchurch Tram (Stop #4 is located on the other side of the archway, and you can purchase tickets or collect prepaid passes from our drivers). 200 metres | 3-minute walk

Punting on the AvonAntigua Boat Sheds Site (2 Cambridge Terrace): from the drop off point you can walk two blocks west along Cashel Street towards the Botanic Gardens. At the end of the street turn left, and you will see the green and white Antigua Boat Sheds building. This attraction is also accessible from Christchurch Tram Stop #13 (a short walk south along Rolleston Avenue). Bookings are essential for this attraction.  400 metres | 5-minute walk

Punting on the AvonWorcester Bridge Site (Worcester Boulevard): from the drop off point you can walk east along Cashel Street towards Cambridge Terrace before turning left and walking two blocks north along Cambridge Terrace until you reach the Worcester Bridge. You will see the punting landing on the north side of the bridge. This attraction is also accessible from Christchurch Tram Stop #10 directly above on the Worcester Bridge. Walk-up bookings are accepted at this site, with no advance bookings taken. 400 metres | 5-minute walk

Botanic Gardens Tour: from the shuttle drop off point you can walk two blocks west along Cashel Street towards the Botanic Gardens. At the end of the street turn right and enter the Botanic Gardens via one of the three gates. Walk towards the fountain, and look for the purple flag nearby showing the Botanic Gardens Tour departure point. This attraction is also accessible from Christchurch Tram Stop #13 directly across Rolleston Avenue. Bookings are recommended for this attraction. 550 metres | 7-minute walk

Christchurch Gondola (10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote): our Gondola Shuttle operates between Cathedral Square in the central city and the Christchurch Gondola on cruise ship days. The shuttle departs from Cathedral Square on the half hour from 9:30am until 3:30pm, and from the Christchurch Gondola on the hour from 10am until 4pm. $15 return and $10 one-way tickets can be purchased from our Tram Hosts at Tram Stops 2 and 4, or from the driver (please note only card payments are accepted for onboard fares). The #8 public bus that operates between Lyttelton and central Christchurch stops at the Gondola base station (please note that only cash payments are accepted for onboard fares which are $4 per journey). Cruise ship visitors wanting to travel to the Gondola from Lyttelton can catch the #8 public bus towards the Airport, and guests wanting to visit the Gondola on the way back from Christchurch can catch the #8 public bus towards Lyttelton from the Christchurch Bus Interchange on the corner of Colombo and Lichfield Streets. Guests can also choose to travel via taxi or rideshare service.

For a visit to the city from Akaroa Harbour, please note that you may have limited time in the city due to the 2-hour trip from the wharf into the city. For guests arriving from Akaroa, you will have time to visit either the Christchurch Tram, Punting on the Avon and the Botanic Gardens Tour, or to visit the Christchurch Gondola. Unfortunately we have found in the past that guests arriving from Akaroa have not had enough time to visit all four attractions in the 4 hours they have to spend in the city.

Please contact our Punting on the Avon reservations team at info@punting.co.nz to make a reservation ahead of time as bookings are essential for this attraction (please make sure you arrive at Punting in plenty of time, as guests who miss their booked rides will not be able to be refunded).

Directions to our attractions

Shuttles from the cruise ship will be arriving in the city on Gloucester Street.

Christchurch Tram: from the drop off point you can walk one block south along Montreal Street to the Christchurch Art Gallery to catch the Christchurch Tram (stop 11 is located on the other side of Worcester Boulevard outside a restaurant named Fiddlesticks, and you can purchase tickets or collect prepaid passes from our drivers). 200 metres | 3-minute walk

Punting on the AvonAntigua Boat Sheds Site (2 Cambridge Terrace): from the drop off point you can walk three blocks south along Montreal Street and one block west along Cashel Street towards the Botanic Gardens. At the end of the street turn left, and you will see the green and white Antigua Boat Sheds building. Bookings are essential for this attraction. 700 metres | 9-minute walk

Punting on the AvonWorcester Bridge Site (Worcester Boulevard): from the drop off point you can walk east along Gloucester Street towards Cambridge Terrace before turning right and walking one block south along Cambridge Terrace until you reach the Worcester Bridge. You will see the punting landing on the north side of the bridge. Walk up bookings are available at this site, with no advance bookings taken.  400 metres | 5-minute walk

Botanic Gardens Tour: from the drop off point you can walk one block south along Montreal Street and one block west along Worcester Boulevard towards the Botanic Gardens. Enter the Botanic Gardens via the main gate next to the Canterbury Museum and look for the purple flag near the fountain showing the Botanic Gardens Tour departure point. 550 metres | 7-minute walk

Christchurch Gondola (10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote): after arriving in central Christchurch, visitors wanting to travel to the Gondola can do so by catching the #8 public bus towards Lyttelton from the Christchurch Bus Interchange on the corner of Colombo and Lichfield Streets. The bus stops at the door of the Gondola base station, and the #8 public bus towards the Airport can be caught to travel back into central Christchurch. Guests can also choose to travel via taxi or rideshare service.

We look forward to welcoming you and your whānau or friends to our attractions. 

Back To Top