Modern coaches and shuttle back to your cruise ship.Optional lunch at a local café.Afternoon tea with cakes and drinks.Expert driver/guide with commentary.Entry to all attractions, including the sheep farm.Does not include the TranzAlpine Train

Adult: 16 years +Children: 3-15 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 & High-Country Farm Shore Excursion from Lyttelton

South Island

Leisure Tours

from

US$189

per adult

Book Now

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

Experiences

Shore Excursions

Family-friendly Tours

Small Group Tours

South Island

Start: Lyttelton

Locations: Lyttelton, Christchurch

Duration: 1 day

Travel Time: 8 hours

This full-day shore excursion takes cruise passengers from Lyttelton across the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps, visiting Arthur’s Pass Village, Otira Gorge and Castle Hill before stopping at a high-country sheep farm on the return journey. Departing from Lyttelton township at around 9:00am, the complete tour takes approximately eight hours, with about two hours travelling to Arthur’s Pass, around 2.5 hours exploring the alpine area and village, and an hour at the sheep farm before returning to Lyttelton at approximately 5:00pm. Available as a cruise excursion and subject to minimum numbers, it includes coach transport, expert driver-guide commentary, scenic stops, short walks, entry to the sheep farm, sheepdog mustering and shearing demonstrations, afternoon tea and a shuttle back to your cruise ship. Lunch is optional and can be added when booking. It suits travellers wanting to experience the Southern Alps, native forest and traditional New Zealand high-country farming in a single port day.

Across the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps

Leave Lyttelton behind and travel through Christchurch before crossing the broad Canterbury Plains towards the mountains. Beyond Springfield, the road climbs through Porter Pass and across a high-altitude landscape of tussock country, small lakes and surrounding peaks. As you approach Arthur’s Pass, farmland gives way to rugged alpine scenery and native beech forest, revealing an increasingly wild side of the South Island.

From Arthur’s Pass Village, continue towards the summit before descending through the dramatic Otira Gorge to a viewpoint overlooking the impressive Otira Viaduct. Keep watch for kea, New Zealand’s inquisitive alpine parrot, and enjoy a leisurely walk through native beech forest before returning to the village for an optional lunch. The journey back also brings you to Castle Hill, where enormous limestone formations rise unexpectedly from the surrounding high-country landscape.

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

From Alpine Wilderness to High-Country Farm Life

The return journey introduces another side of Canterbury at a working high-country sheep farm beside the Waimakariri River. Watch skilled sheepdogs muster the flock and see how farmer and dog work together across open country — a tradition that remains an important part of New Zealand’s rural heritage. You’ll also have the opportunity to get closer to the sheep before watching a live shearing demonstration.

During the shearing, learn about different types of wool and what happens to the fleece after it leaves the sheep, with commentary directly from the farmer adding a personal perspective on high-country life. Finish the farm visit over afternoon tea with tea or coffee and homemade cakes before settling back for the final journey to Lyttelton and your waiting cruise ship.

This tour is only available to cruise passengers 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.

*Please note that minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed.

Tour code: LT06AWTCS / LT06BWTCS

Modern coaches and shuttle back to your cruise ship.
Optional lunch at a local café.
Afternoon tea with cakes and drinks.
Expert driver/guide with commentary.
Entry to all attractions, including the sheep farm.
Does not include the TranzAlpine Train

Adult: 16 years +
Children: 3-15 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.

Itinerary

⚠️ Please note: The itinerary may vary slightly depending on cruise ship schedules and weather conditions.

08:30: Meet in Lyttelton township for your Arthur’s Pass Shore Excursion.

09:00: Depart Lyttelton, travelling through Christchurch and across the Canterbury Plains. Arrive at Springfield, a rural town at the foothills of the Southern Alps. Continue through Porter Pass, crossing a high-altitude plateau with small lakes and pasturelands, surrounded by snow-covered peaks. The journey then intersects with the TranzAlpine Railway as you head towards Arthur’s Pass Village.

11:00: Upon reaching Arthur’s Pass Village, continue by road to the summit of the pass, passing through dense native Beech Forest. Descend through the Otira Gorge, leading to the historic railway settlement of Otira. Stop at a viewing platform to see the impressive Otira Viaduct and possibly spot Kea, a native New Zealand parrot. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely walk through another section of native Beech Forest.

12:30: Return to the village, where you have the option to enjoy lunch. If you wish to include lunch, please note it during booking.

13:30: Depart Arthur’s Pass, retracing the morning route back to Springfield. Along the way, stop at scenic spots like Castle Hill, famous for its appearance in the Hobbit movie, providing excellent photo opportunities.

14:30: Arrive at a High-Country Sheep Farm along the Waimakariri River. Observe sheep mustering as skilled sheep dogs gather the flock. Enjoy a close-up experience with the sheep, and watch a sheep shearing demonstration with insightful commentary from the farmer. Learn about the different types of wool and the post-shearing process. Conclude your visit with afternoon tea, featuring tea or coffee and homemade cakes.

15:30: Depart the farm and return to Lyttelton.

17:00: Arrive back in Lyttelton township, where a shuttle will transfer you to your cruise ship.

The total tour duration is 8 hours.

Please note that minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed.

This Excursion can be purchased including lunch – option