Search icon

South Island

Start: Christchurch
Duration: 30 minutes

A Timeless River Journey Through the City

Punting on the Avon is one of Christchurch’s most iconic and relaxing experiences. Glide along the beautiful Avon River in a traditional flat-bottomed punt, guided by an expert punter in classic Edwardian attire. This 30-minute Avon River punt tour departs from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds and offers a peaceful way to enjoy the city’s gardens, waterways, and heritage — perfect for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Christchurch.

Play
YouTube Embed

A Romantic and Nostalgic Christchurch Experience

Here you’ll slow the pace and take in Christchurch from a completely different angle, as punting on the Avon River reveals quiet corners of the city you can’t see from the streets. With live commentary from your punter, you’ll learn about local history, landmarks, and the traditions behind this classic river tour. The gentle rhythm of the punt, combined with leafy scenery and calm waters, makes this experience ideal for unwinding between sightseeing stops or marking a special occasion in the city.

With departures throughout the day, punting on the Avon fits easily into any Christchurch itinerary, whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a longer stay. The central location makes it simple to combine your Avon River punt tour with nearby attractions like the Botanic Gardens, cafés, and riverside walks. It’s a timeless Christchurch experience that suits all ages and travel styles, and one that many visitors rate as a highlight of their time in the city.

  • Punts depart from and return to the Antigua Boat Sheds, 2 Cambridge Terrace.
  • Punting hours: 9:30am-4pm daily winter, 9am -5pm daily summer (from 16 September)
    • Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. Please contact us after purchasing your pass.
  • Adults: 16 years +
  • Children: 5-15 years
  • Infants: Under 5 years go free.
  • Family Pass: 2 adults and up to 3 children
  • All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
  • 2 days or more: Full refund*
  • Between 2 days and 24 hours: 75% refund*
  • Within 24 hours/No Show: No refund

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.*

Frequently asked questions

Both our standard shared ride and private ride options last 30 minutes.

The ride departs from either the Antigua Boat Sheds or Worcester Bridge, depending on the tour option you choose. If starting at the Antigua Boat Sheds, the ride returns to the same location. For rides starting at Worcester Bridge, the journey ends at Victoria Square. Due to health and safety regulations, there are no opportunities to disembark before the designated end of the ride.

Christchurch winters can be chilly, but we provide blankets at both departure points to keep our guests warm. We also offer umbrellas and waterproof blankets to ensure guests stay dry during rainy or showery weather.

Unfortunately, Punting on the Avon is not fully wheelchair accessible. However, both the Antigua Boat Sheds and Worcester Bridge landings are accessible by wheelchair, allowing guests to step out of their chair and board the punt. For guests who remain in their wheelchairs, parties are welcome to lift the chair in and out of the punt if preferred.

Please contact us for more details.

Related Tours

Some other tours you might be interested in

Sign up to our newsletter for special deals & exciting news.