Tour Overview
South Island – New Zealand is rich with abundant nature walks and mountainous hikes. Whether you are looking at a short hike with family or a full day hike, we have a range of varied hiking terrain to suit most travellers. My Christchurch Hiking Tour takes you on a scenic coastal journey to the South East, called ‘Taylors Mistake Godley Head Loop Track’. Our destination is a 20-minute drive from the City Centre and allows for 3 hours of hiking and sightseeing. If you chose for the homemade 2 course picnic lunch option, then please add on an extra hour to enjoy the picnic lunch. The walk is easy and ideal for walkers of moderate fitness and ability.
This walking track is well formed and starts from the Godley Head car park. The hike offers you the chance to see a great combination of plants, interesting volcanic geology, wonderful landscapes. It has some of Christchurch’s most attractive houses. We also drive through some of Christchurch s most attractive housing area on the way to our starting or finishing point. Depending on the state of the tide and the mood of the sea, we can walk along the sandy beach below the baches (holiday beach houses in NZ). On this walk we can also see the Historical Antarctic Scotts-cabin.
Another alternative is to walk down into the port town of Lyttelton through the Major Hornbrook track and from here we get wonderful views over Lyttelton or in the other direction over the city to the Kaikoura Mountains.
We can vary the hike to suit your wishes by either hiking in a downhill direction or go for the climb if you prefer a work out. Totally flexible and happy for you to walk as much or as little as you wish. We can rest for a while on the benches along the path and listen to the chorus of seabirds that swoop along the cliff faces. My favourite view is towards the end of the walk. It looks back across the city and beyond to the snow-capped Southern Alps. If you’re lucky, you may even see a seal, dolphin or a magnificent Southern Right whale! After an enjoyable walk, you can cool your feet in the waves on the sandy beach at Sumner.
Weather in the South Island can be very changeable and the phrase of “4 seasons in a day”, is quite often used. If you are coming on my tours, we will always remain flexible, to enable you to be where the weather is best.
I personally recommend that you bring layers of clothing. Most importantly, pack in a warm woollen hat in case the temperature drops and rainwear (just in case). Comfortable hiking shoes which provide good support for your ankles and sound grip underfoot is a must. I have hiking sticks available on request, should you wish to make use of them. Furthermore, bring a sun hat, sunscreen and a bottle of drinking water. Christchurch has some fabulous drinking water available – so fill up at your hotel tap. You can refill your bottle on the track.
If you chose the homemade picnic option, a 2-course meal is provided with accompanying fruit Juice, tea / coffee, or herbal tea at a charge of $30 per head.
* Due to the 2011 earthquake, some parts of the Godley Head walkway are currently closed. This however does not affect us enjoying our hike.
View my other tours to see a snippet of popular and unforgettable tour experiences in New Zealand.
Optional Extras
• 2 course organic, homemade picnic meal in a scenic location $30 per person
Lunch Menu Options:
Winter: Starter – fresh homemade bread and soup. Main course – a selection of two cold meats, two salads, cheeses and pickles. Please feel free to make delicious sandwiches or just enjoy as a salad meal.
Summer: Depending upon your wishes, we can offer dessert instead of the soup starter. Dessert – fresh berries, a selection of fruit salad or homemade yoghurt.
Highlights of the tour – Christchurch Hiking Tour
• Coastal walking tour with stunning views over the harbour and inlets.
• Great photo opportunities en-route to Sumner and Godley Head
• Classic NZ pastoral scenery with Sheep grazing the steep hillsides.
• Often see hang gliders taking off and landing and one of Christchurch s best surfing beaches.
• See one of the most attractive coastal suburbs of Christchurch
Best Time to book
• I love October and November, when the seaside holiday homes wildflowers are in full bloom. This is an all year-round tour, with distant snow-capped mountains being equally beautiful in Winter.
Tour Duration
• 4 hours (add an additional hour, if you have selected the lunch option)
Tour Itinerary
| 12 (Noon) | Pick-up from your Central City accommodation. |
| 12.20 | Drive out to Sumner to view Cave Rock and enjoy a short walk along the Promenade. |
| 12.45 | Drive-up Evans Pass and out to Godley Head stopping for photos out over the Lyttelton Harbour or up towards the Kaikoura Mountains. |
| 13.00 | Hike along the coastal tracks, visit Captain Scott s Antarctic Hut and drop down into Taylors Mistake Beach |
| 15.30 | Head back to Central Christchurch |
| 16.00 | Transfer to your hotel or preferred location in Central City |
What’s included
• An Experienced & Knowledgeable, local Tour Guide
• Transport to and from Christchurch to Sumner
Rates
• Priced from $160 per person