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Christchurch Tram
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Christchurch

Christchurch Tram

7.4
4.7/5
75 reviews
The Christchurch Tram is a retro-style sightseeing tram route that loops around the city center. Christchurch had trams running through its streets as early as the late 19th century. After tram services ceased in the 1950s, a fleet of meticulously restored vintage carriages returned to the tracks in the 1990s. With their wooden interiors, brass handrails, and the crisp "ding-ding" of bells, riding one feels like stepping onto a time machine. The full loop around the city center takes less than an hour, with over ten stops along the way, allowing you to hop on and off at your leisure and spend as much time as you like at each attraction. The tram connects key highlights of the city center: Cathedral Square, the colorful Spanish-style shops of New Regent Street, the food-filled Riverside Market, the lush Botanic Gardens, and the Arts Centre composed of Gothic-style heritage buildings. A stop is also located near the Avon River punting jetty, while the Cardboard Cathedral, built from paper tubes, is within walking distance. Families with children can let the little ones run wild at the Margaret Mahy Playground. Outside the windows, century-old buildings alternate with post-earthquake landmarks, while the driver provides a guide to the history of these streets—from the reconstruction story of the cathedral to the memorial significance of the Bridge of Remembrance—making the ride both engaging and informative. A few details are worth noting during your experience: the outer sightseeing seats are not fully rainproof, so choose inner seats on rainy days; eating, drinking, and phone calls are not allowed onboard; for photography enthusiasts, waiting for the tram to pass the colorful facades of New Regent Street or cross the stone bridge over the Avon River yields particularly striking shots.Christchurch · 40.3km from Akaroa

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Experiences you can't miss in Akaroa

Featured Culture & history in Akaroa

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Christchurch: Akaroa Day Tour with Nature Cruise
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
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Christchurch Highlights Audio Tour: City Icons
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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From Christchurch: Sheep Farm Experience with Lunch & Winery
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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Christchurch: Historic Landmarks, Earthquakes & Rebirth Walking Tour (2-Hour)
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Duration: 1.6 hrs
English
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Christchurch: Waka Paddling & Cultural Experience (75 min)
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 75 mins
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Historical, Heritage & Earthquake Christchurch walking tour
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· 11 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Christchurch: Sea Kayaking Tour 8hrs Inc Lunch & Transport
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· 1 review
Duration: 8 hrs
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Christchurch Guided Walking Tour with Optional Wine Tasting
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Featured Day tours in Akaroa

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Akaroa: Sun-Viewing Tour with Two Telescopes
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Duration: 30 mins
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Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Dolphin Nature Cruise
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4.7/5
· 64 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience
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· 1 review
Duration: 4.5 hrs
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Akaroa: Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour
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5.0/5
· 27 reviews
Duration: 2–4 hrs
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Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience
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· 3 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Akaroa: Stargazing Tour with 2 Telescopes & Souvenir Photos
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Akaroa Cruises

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Private Tours in Akaroa

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What travellers say about Akaroa

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_M1***4916 February 2026
5.0
When we arrived, it was raining. We were asked if we wanted the activity moved indoors due to the weather, and we were offered a refund or a reschedule. We didn't reschedule. Although the activity was indoors, the alpacas were just as cute, our mood was just as good, and the activity was just as wonderful. Thank you for the cookies; they were delicious.

Shamarra Alpacas

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thewazztraveller12 August 2025
5.0
Highly recommended to visitors who are arriving in Christchurch looking for a unique adventure! Though a 1.5hrs drive away - the journey out at sea is worth your time. Was fortunate enough to spot 4 dolphins and the Captain also brought us near enough to the rocky edges to catch a glimpse of the seals up close! Oh and also special shout out our friendly Dolphin Dog Albie on board for being the sweetest fur baby :)

Akaroa Dolphins

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_TS***4114 January 2026
5.0
What an incredible experience. Swimming with the world’s smallest dolphins. They would come very close to you. The thick wetsuits helped keep you warm! A big thank you to the team who were honest and advised that the dolphins had not been playful recently, therefore offered us a free date change or refund. However we took that chance and they did come out and play. A highlight of our New Zealand trip!

Black Cat Cruises

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_ce***9515 May 2021
4.0
For a young country like New Zealand, museums are mostly about Maori history.

Akaroa Museum

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小凌6013 September 2020
3.0
This is a garden. The biggest feature here is the use of various colorful building materials, such as tiles, wood boards or mosaics to form all kinds of strange shapes, which are quite good.

The Giants House

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🎀彡🐾22 May 2020
5.0
Banks Peninsula in Akaroa is a very beautiful peninsula with beautiful natural scenery of the strait. Dolphins and whales often appear on the sea surface of Banks Peninsula, which is also an excellent place for whale watching. Don't miss it.

Banks Peninsula

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Flora_Gu12 August 2025
5.0
Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, nestled between mountains and the sea, offers panoramic views of the city and coastline from the cable car. We followed the directions a friend had sent us and arrived near the summit. A short climb up brought us to the cable car station. There's an observation deck and a cafe on the second floor. This way, we only had to buy a one-way ticket down the mountain, which was significantly cheaper. A Chinese staff member at the ticket office told us about a "Time Tunnel" car showcasing the history of Canterbury, New Zealand. If you take the No. 8 bus to the base of the mountain, you can take the cable car up and then back down—perhaps a classic way to enjoy the experience.

Christchurch Gondola

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耳東氵罒幸一止24 August 2026
5.0
很好玩的一个体验,而且坐着电车绕城市看风景很轻松。我们都很高兴。在Trip平台买票也很方便,到地点就能轻松领取实体票然后上车,车上的领导也很细心的为每一个景点做介绍……👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Christchurch Tram

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Akaroa?

Don't miss these attractions in Akaroa: Shamarra Alpacas, Akaroa Dolphins, and Black Cat Cruises. If you like Culture & history, try Christchurch: Akaroa Day Tour with Nature Cruise. If you enjoy Day tours, try Christchurch Akaroa 1-day tour | Black Cat dolphin sightseeing cruise / optional dolphin swimming.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Christchurch Akaroa 1-day tour | Black Cat dolphin sightseeing cruise / optional dolphin swimming, Akaroa: Sun-Viewing Tour with Two Telescopes, and Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Dolphin Nature Cruise. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 2 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Akaroa is around PKR 5,764.51 – PKR 48,286.34. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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