Adult: 15 years +Children: 3-14 yearsInfants: 2 years and under, free if not occupying a seat

Cancellations & Refunds

8 days or more before departure: Full refund**Between 7 days and 24 hours: 50% refund**Within 24 hours: No refundShould the cruise ship not berth for any reason, other than rescheduling within 7 days, no cancellation fees applies**.Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Book now

Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill Shore Excursion from Lyttelton

Oct-Apr

South Island

Leisure Tours

from

NZ$335

per adult

Book Now

Native kea parrot perched on a rock with snowy mountains in the distance

Experiences

Shore Excursions

Family-friendly Tours

Day Tours

South Island

Start: Lyttelton

Locations: Lyttelton, Christchurch

Duration: 1 day

Travel Time: 8 hours

The Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill Shore Excursion is an 8-hour guided day tour from Lyttelton into the Southern Alps, travelling through Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Arthur’s Pass National Park. Meet in Lyttelton at around 8:45am, depart at 9:00am and return at approximately 4:30pm, with timing adjusted around your cruise ship. The day includes Arthur’s Pass Village, Otira Gorge, the Otira Viaduct lookout, a short native beech forest walk and time among the limestone formations at Kura Tāwhiti / Castle Hill. Lunch is at your own expense.

The route gives cruise passengers a full-day look at some of Canterbury’s most varied scenery, moving from broad plains and farmland into high-country basins, mountain passes and native forest.

This tour travels entirely by road and does not include the TranzAlpine train.

Worry-Free Guarantee: Ensuring timely return to your cruise ship or transfer to the next port of call if needed.

Elevated Otira Viaduct stretching across a steep alpine gorge in Arthur’s Pass

Braided river channels weaving through a golden valley near Arthur’s Pass at sunset

Straight road leading to Arthur’s Pass with dramatic Southern Alps mountain backdrop

Walking track through the limestone boulders of Castle Hill with snowy peaks in the background

Two kea parrots perched on a wooden railing above the misty Otira Viaduct in Arthur’s Pass

Visitors at Devils Punchbowl Waterfall lookout in Arthur’s Pass National Park

Couple enjoying the view from Devil’s Punchbowl lookout at Arthur’s Pass waterfall

Arthur’s Pass village store with visitors and a snowy mountain backdrop

Scenic view of a lush alpine valley and towering mountains in Arthur’s Pass

Hikers exploring the rocky trail in Upper Bealey Valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks

What are the highlights of this Arthur’s Pass shore excursion?

Travel from Lyttelton across the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps
Explore Arthur’s Pass National Park and Arthur’s Pass Village
See Otira Gorge and the Otira Viaduct from the lookout
Enjoy a short walk through native beech forest
Explore the limestone formations of Kura Tāwhiti / Castle Hill

What is included in the tour?

Air-conditioned coach transport
Return transport from Lyttelton
Driver-guide commentary
Arthur’s Pass National Park sightseeing
Otira Gorge and viaduct lookout
Short native beech forest walk
Kura Tāwhiti / Castle Hill stop
Cruise-timed return to Lyttelton

Not included:

Lunch
Other meals and drinks
Personal purchases

Lunch can be purchased at a local café in Arthur’s Pass Village.

This tour is only available to cruise passengers and DOES NOT include the TranzAlpine Train.

Tour code: LT06AWTCS

This tour is designed for cruise passengers visiting Lyttelton. Departure and return times may be adjusted to suit the ship’s arrival and sailing schedule.

A moderate walking ability is recommended for the short nature walks. Wear comfortable flat walking shoes.

Weather can change quickly in Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps, so bring a rain jacket and dress in layers even if conditions are mild in Lyttelton.

Minimum passenger numbers are required for the tour to operate. If minimum numbers are not reached, alternative arrangements or a refund may apply under the operator’s terms.

Passengers should be ready before the scheduled collection time, as the tour cannot be held for late arrivals.

Adult: 15 years +
Children: 3-14 years
Infants: 2 years and under, free if not occupying a seat

8 days or more before departure: Full refund**
Between 7 days and 24 hours: 50% refund**
Within 24 hours: No refund
Should the cruise ship not berth for any reason, other than rescheduling within 7 days, no cancellation fees applies**.

Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.