About this tour
When Ben from our team ran this two-day Christchurch package, it stacked two pretty different experiences back-to-back without the usual filler. Day one covers the city proper — the Botanic Gardens, the Avon punting, the gondola up to the lookout — plus a solid lunch. Day two swings inland to Mid Canterbury for a jet-boat sprint up the Rakaia Gorge, a stop at the Blue Pub in Methven, then a proper soak in the hot pools. It's a neat way to see both the rebuilt city and the back-country in one trip, and the whole package runs in an air-conditioned van with a minimum crew of two.
Highlights
- Punting on the Avon River through central Christchurch gardens
- 45-minute jet-boat ride cutting through Rakaia Gorge
- Gondola ascent with city and mountain views included
- Lunch at the legendary Blue Pub in Methven township
- Two-hour soak in geothermal pools mid-journey
- Flexibly ordered — run Day 2 first if it suits your schedule
- No hidden costs: tramway, gondola, and punting all bundled
What to expect
Day one is the gentler half. You'll roll through Christchurch's regenerated core with a guide talking through the rebuild story, stop at the Botanic Gardens (genuinely pleasant), then board the tram and ride the gondola for views. The Avon punting is the standout — peaceful, unhurried, and a proper contrast to the rest of the day. Lunch is included; drinks you'll pay extra for.
Day two is where the energy shifts. The jet boat up the Rakaia is legitimately thrilling — 45 minutes of spray, speed, and gorge walls closing in. Methven is a small mountain town, authentic rather than twee. The hot pools are the wind-down: proper geothermal soak in an outdoor setting. Both days run in a comfortable van, and the whole operation feels genuinely unhurried rather than rushed tick-box tourism.
What travellers say
- Two distinct experiences — city and gorge — in one booking
- All major attractions pre-included: gondola, tram, punting tickets
- Jet-boat and hot-pools combination delivers genuine thrills
- Flexible day order to suit your schedule and availability
- Air-conditioned transport removes logistical faff
- Lunch covered; no surprise empty-wallet moments mid-tour
- Jet boat not safe for compromised cardiovascular fitness
- Spa treatments at Opuke are pricey add-ons, not included
- Minimum two-guest requirement rules out true solo travellers
- Alcohol and extra meals will bump your final bill considerably
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You get two totally different sides of the region — urban renewal and raw back-country — without booking separate operators. The jet boat and hot pools combo is genuinely fun, not a token activity. The included gondola and tramway tickets save mucking about with separate bookings. Small-group minimum keeps it intimate.
The jet boat isn't suitable if you've got any heart or breathing concerns — it's vigorous. The day is physically mixed; you're up and moving most of the time, though the soak lets you recoup. Opuke spa treatments aren't included (they cost extra), so budget for massage if you want more than just the soak. Drinks at lunch add up quickly. The tours can run in either order depending on demand, so confirm your preference when booking. The two-person minimum means solo travellers either pair up or skip it.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.