Walking Tours Christchurch

Godley Head & Lyttleton Walking Tour

Godley Head is an exciting and wild place at the far end of the Port Hills overlooking Lyttleton Harbour and Christchurch. On this unforgettable day tour, you can expect uninterrupted and spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch and beyond. The whole area is rich in history and scattered with remnants of New Zealand’s WWII defences. This is a must-do location for anyone visiting Christchurch, Join us and explore this unique and unforgettable area with one of our friendly local guides.

• Visit Lyttelton Port.
• Stroll through Taylors Mistake Beach
• Watch surfers from Sumner Beach.
• Visit a White Flippered Penguin colony.
• Explore Godley Head’s WWII defences.
• Capture the stunning coastal scenery.
• Local tour guide.
• A/C Transport.
• Small-group tour.

Getting there – A Scenic Drive

Driving east from Christchurch City, we pass through local suburbs and industrial areas before heading through New Zealand’s 2nd longest road tunnel to Lyttelton. Also known as “the gateway to Christchurch,” this charming and historic port township is the South Islands’ largest port. You will have time to have a look around this quirky little town before we drive up the newly restored Gebbies Pass road. A scenic lookout at the top of the pass gives impressive views of Lyttelton Harbour and the coastal suburb of Sumner, where we stop for morning tea.  A short drive from Sumner is a beach called Taylors Mistake, one of Christchurch’s hidden gems. Our walk starts and finishes at Taylor’s Mistake.

Walking Tour – Godley Head / Awaroa

Leaving Taylors Mistake beach, we head east on a well-established walking track that follows the rugged coastline above massive sea cliffs. If you’re lucky you might even spot a pod of dolphins or a rare White Flippered Pengwin along the coast. A bit further along are the charming historical batches (small beach houses) nestled into the rocks at Boulder Bay. Godley head is a short steep walk up from Boulder Bay and a lovely spot for our picnic lunch. Scattered with WWII remnants, including bunkers, gun emplacements, and old military buildings, it’s a fascinating and very scenic place for a few photos and a picnic lunch.

Godley Head / Awaroa Walking Tour continued

After lunch, you will have some free time to explore the local area and visit some of the old buildings and  WWII defences. As the track departs Godley Head, there is an excellent photo opportunity at observation battery no. 2. Leaving the Godley Head WWII relics behind, we continue west along the tracks that overlook Lyttelton Harbour & Quail Island. It’s a relatively quick descent back down to the beach at Taylor’s Mistake and our awaiting vehicle. On the drive back into Christchurch city, we take an alternative route passing through the coastal suburbs of  Sumner village & Redcliffs.

Join us for a wonderful adventure exploring the Banks Peninsula with our friendly and knowledgeable local guides! Our small group tour is perfect for visitors to Christchurch, including those arriving in Lyttelton on cruise ships.
We'll start and end the full-day tour in Christchurch (or Lyttelton for cruise passengers) and promise you a genuinely scenic experience.
This tour takes you through the scenic landscapes of Banks Peninsula to the historic French settlement of Akaroa, with stops at charming stone rest houses and morning tea in Little River. In Akaroa, you'll either visit the whimsical Giant’s House , famous for its vibrant mosaic sculptures and terraced gardens, or , if you choose to upgrade, enjoy a harbour nature cruise where you may spot Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, and seabirds. (Please note: The harbour cruise option replaces the visit to The Giant’s House.)


Afterwards, you'll have free time to sample local cuisine, browse boutique shops, or take a relaxing coastal walk. The return journey follows the stunning Summit Road, with a final stop at Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve before heading back to Christchurch or Lyttelton.
Whether you're looking for a busy and active day or a laid-back and relaxing one, a trip to Akaroa from Christchurch (or Lyttelton) is a must-do for anyone visiting the area.

Half-Day Godley Head Private Walking Tour

Godley Head is an exciting and wild place at the far end of the Port Hills overlooking Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch. On this unforgettable half-day tour, you can expect spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and beyond. The area is rich in history and scattered with remnants of New Zealand’s WWII defences. This is a must-do location for anyone visiting Christchurch. Join us on this guided half-day walk and explore a unique and unforgettable area with one of our friendly local guides.

• Visit Lyttelton Port
• Stroll through Taylors Mistake Beach
• Explore Godley Head’s WWII defences
• Capture the stunning coastal scenery
• Local tour guide
• A/C Transport

Getting there – A Scenic Drive

We start our guided half-day walk in Lyttelton, known as “the gateway to Christchurch,”. This charming and historic port township is the South Islands’ largest port. From Lyttelton, we drive up the newly restored Gebbies Pass road to a scenic lookout that gives impressive views of Lyttelton Harbour and the coastal suburb of Sumner. A short drive from Sumner leads to the picturesque Taylors Mistake beach, one of Christchurch’s hidden gems. Our walk starts and finishes at Te Onepoto/Taylor’s Mistake.

Walking Tour – Godley Head / Awaroa

Leaving Taylors Mistake, we head east along a well-established walking track that follows the rugged coastline above massive sea cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins or a rare white-flippered penguin along the coast. Godley Head is dotted with remnants from World War II, including bunkers, gun emplacements, and old military buildings. It’s a fascinating and scenic location for taking photos and enjoying a snack. This walk offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into history.

 

Godley Head & Lyttleton Private Walking Tour

Godley Head is an exciting and wild place at the far end of the Port Hills overlooking Lyttleton Harbour and Christchurch. On this unforgettable day tour, you can expect uninterrupted and spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, and beyond. The whole area is rich in history and scattered with remnants of New Zealand’s WWII defences. This is a must-visit location for anyone visiting Christchurch. Join us and explore this unique and unforgettable area with one of our friendly local guides.

• Visit Lyttelton Port.
• Stroll through Taylor's Mistake Beach
• Watch surfers from Sumner Beach.
• Visit a White Flippered Penguin colony.
• Explore Godley Head’s WWII defences.
• Capture the stunning coastal scenery.
• Local tour guide.
• A/C Transport.

Getting there – A Scenic Drive

Driving east from Christchurch City, we pass through local suburbs and industrial areas before heading through New Zealand’s 2nd longest road tunnel to Lyttelton. Also known as “the gateway to Christchurch,” this charming and historic port township is the South Island’s largest port. You will have time to look around this quirky little town before we drive up the newly restored Gebbies Pass road. A scenic lookout at the top of the pass gives impressive views of Lyttelton Harbour and the coastal suburb of Sumner, where we stop for morning tea.  A short drive from Sumner is a beach called Taylor's Mistake, one of Christchurch’s hidden gems. Our walk starts and finishes at Taylor’s Mistake.

Walking Tour – Godley Head / Awaroa

Leaving Taylor's Mistake beach, we head east on a well-established walking track that follows the rugged coastline above massive sea cliffs. You might even spot a pod of dolphins or a rare White Flippered Pengwin along the coast if you're lucky. A bit further along are the charming historical baches (small beach houses) nestled into the rocks at Boulder Bay. Godley Head is a short, steep walk up from Boulder Bay and a lovely spot for our picnic lunch. Scattered with WWII remnants, including bunkers, gun emplacements, and old military buildings, it’s a fascinating and very scenic place for a few photos and a picnic lunch.

Godley Head / Awaroa Walking Tour continued.

After lunch, you will have some free time to explore the local area and visit some of the old buildings and  WWII defences. As the track departs Godley Head, there is an excellent photo opportunity at observation battery no. 2. Leaving the Godley Head WWII relics behind, we continue west along the tracks overlooking Lyttelton Harbour & Quail Island. It’s a relatively quick descent back down to the beach at Taylor’s Mistake and our awaiting vehicle. On the drive back into Christchurch city, we take an alternative route passing through the coastal suburbs of  Sumner village & Redcliffs.

Discover the beauty and charm of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula on this private day tour, led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable local guides. Designed especially for visitors to Christchurch—including cruise ship passengers arriving in Lyttelton—this full-day experience offers a perfect mix of history, nature, and relaxation.

Your journey begins in Christchurch (or Lyttelton for cruise guests) and takes you through the dramatic landscapes of an ancient volcanic region. Along the way, you’ll pass through charming settlements nestled around Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours, stopping for morning tea in the quaint village of Little River and at scenic roadside rest houses with panoramic views.

In Akaroa, New Zealand’s only French-founded town, you’ll have two experience options:

• Visit the whimsical Giant’s House, a vibrant art garden filled with mosaic sculptures and colourful terraces, or




• Upgrade to a Harbour Nature Cruise, where you may spot Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, penguins, and seabirds. (Please note: the cruise replaces the Giant’s House visit.)

After your chosen experience, enjoy free time to explore Akaroa at your own pace—indulge in local cuisine, browse boutique shops, or take a leisurely walk along the waterfront.

The return journey follows the scenic Summit Road, offering stunning views across the peninsula, with a final stop at the peaceful Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve before returning to Christchurch or Lyttelton.

Whether you want a laid-back escape or a day full of exploration, this is a must-do tour for anyone visiting the Christchurch region.