Lyttleton (Christchurch), New Zealand Port Reviews

Cruise ships dock in Lyttelton, which is 8 miles from Christchurch. Our ship personnel said to get there you had to take a taxi at $40 to $60 each way or take a shore excursion. Luckily a representative from the area came on board when we arrived and told us about the city bus for $4.20 each way. The bus leaves directly outside the security area if the pier. Plus the bus terminal in Christchurch was amazing. Modern and clean and easy to navigate. From there it is a short walk to Cathedral Square. Worth a visit for its modern architecture and new technology is the Turanga Central Library. Check out the touch-screen wall for searching photographs in the collection. It is also an easy walk to the Botanic Gardens. We especially liked the New Zealand native plant section and the rose garden. There are a lot of cool sculptures and fountains in the gardens. There is a free museum right at the entrance to the botanic gardens but we chose to be outdoors.

Akaroa was our stop over . Unbelievably beautiful views and lovely town

Visited: Nov 28, 2013

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It was rainy, so I only walked out a little way and could see a steep hill to the Time Station I wanted to see, so I didn't go,

Visited: Sep 26, 2019

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Took the free shuttle into Lyttelton and were dropped of at the bottom of the hill. We went back to the same spot to catch the shuttle back to the ship learning that the drop off and pick up point is in the middle of town.

We chose to the Maori Experience. This consists of a walking tour of the dental city area of Christchurch, which was repurposed after a devastating earthquake. Reconstruction is ongoing. Maori guides explained the history of the area and their culture. We paddled a waka (canoe) on the Avon River, which in itself is an entertaining experience. We also fistied a wildlife center, which houses a number of New Zealand native creatures. The zoo was busy on the day we visited because of a teachers' strike that day So where do parents take their children? Of course, the zoo.

Did the East Christchurch by double decker bus tour and it was very beautiful

Nice stop. Lots of new reconstruction after earthquake. Beautiful city and will be more in future

Did our own tour

Wished I had just done the sightseeing on my own.

I did not do an excursion. I took the public bus to Christchurch and was happy to see the towns along the way. The bus station itself was a sight to behold. It was clean, modern, and information on the buses was automated. I walked to the shopping center where I took a city tour tram. That was delightful!