Activities

Activities

There are a wide range of enjoyable and interesting activities to do on and around the Peninsula, but due to our frequent earthquakes they can change overnight...please ring and check before turning up.

Stoddart's Cottage

Located to the back of the playing field and behind the shops of Diamond Harbour is tucked away a beautiful restored 19th century cottage and garden. Upkeep and maintenance continues on both cottage and garden and they are open for public visits most Sundays throught the year, often accompanied by a local arts/craft exhibition and sometimes Victorian cream teas. A gold coin donation towards the upkeep and maintenance of the cottage during your visit is much appreciated to help maintain this lovely historical cottage and garden.

For forthcoming exhibitions and events at the cottage, please see their website.

For further information, please contact: Fay Nolan (03) 329 4676 or Maddi Naylor (03) 329 4419

Sailing in and around Lyttelton Basin

What better way to experience the natural beauty of the Lyttleton Harbour and the Port Hills than from a majestic Classic Yacht on Lyttleton Harbour. Jack Tar Sailing offers a variety of chartered sailing trips in and around Lyttelton, a one of two major harbours on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand..

www.jacktarsailing.co.nz

Winery Tours

We do a number of tours, including a scenic day tour to Akaroa and our garden tour visits Ohinetahi in Governors Bay. We also utilize the Wildlife Cruise and Governors Bay Hotel for conference excursions. If someone books a private tour with us, then we will happily take them to Diamond Harbour (one of my favourite spots in Canterbury!). Our main tour is still the Waipara Wine Tour

Wine Tours around Canterbury

Orton Bradley Park

This park is about 10 minutes driving from Diamond Harbour and has a variety of activities. There is something for everyone at Orton Bradley Park, a private, working, farm park overlooking picturesque Lyttelton Harbour. The park's facilities include tennis courts, a golf club, children's adventure playground, picnic sites, a farm centre, horse riding, and tree and rhododendron gardens, as well as an interesting collection of historical farm machinery, and a water wheel, dating from 1880. There are several walking tracks, which vary in length from a short 20-minute stroll, to a four-hour, strenuous climb up Mount Herbert, at the back of this forested, valley park. There are great views from the top.

Orton Bradley Outdoor Education Centre

Professional Outdoor Education and School Camps run from Orton Bradley Park. We offer abseiling, high and low ropes, kayaking, coasteering, orienteering plus much more. At the park there is a private camping area with showers and kitchen facilities for up to 150 people.
Orton BradleyOutdoor Education Centre

Cruises in Lyttelton Harbour, Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa

Swimming or even getting up close to Hector's Dolphins is must for any wildlife enthusiasts. Why not try one of the other cruises of trips that the Black Cat group offer. There's plenty to see on their website..

www.blackcat.co.nz

Cycling on the Summit Road

Want to be out in the fresh air and get uninterrupted views of the whole peninsula then hiring a Mountain bike from the Garden Gallery and cycling on the Summit Road is the thing to do. Go to Governors Bay and go up over Dyers Pass to the 'Sign of the Kiwi' and follow the road either left or right onto the Summit Road. The views are spectacular from anywhere on this road. See the gallery for some of the views.

There is also the opportunity to try and do the "3 signs" - Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Packhorse and Sign of the Bellbird.

Go up Christchurch Gondola - CLOSED DUE TO EARTHQUAKE

See all around Diamond Harbour, all around the Lyttelton Harbour and then up the coast to Kiakoura, see the Southern Alps and the sea beyond Banks Pensinsula. The views from the top gondola station are fantastic on a clear day. They have a cafe for a snack with a view or stay and spoil yourself with a luxurious meal in their resaurant.

www.gondola.co.nz

Day Trips to Akaroa

Akaroa is a beautiful town settled by the French which is situated over the other side of Banks Peninsula from Diamond Harbour, about 45 minutes drive away. It is well worth a visit and the history of the town is very interesting. Drive around from Diamond Harbour or there is a daily bus that leaves from Cathedral Square in Christchurch.

www.akaroa.co.nz

Orana Wildlife Park

This is a wonderful wildlife park just outside of Christchurch towards the airport. It's well worth taking the time out to visit this park. See the giraffe, lions, monkeys and many more animals, all laid out in wonderful grounds.

www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz

Below is a list of other activities happening in and around Diamond Harbour - one thing you will never be if you come to visit us is ...bored!

More Activities in nearby Lyttelton:

Jack Tar Sailing Company
03 389 9259
mike@jacktarsailing.co.nz
Steam Tug Boat
03 322 8911
Quail Island Tours
03 328 9078
Volcano Harbour Adventure Agency
0800 212 628
Torpedo Boat Museum
03 328 09093
Timeball Station - CLOSED DUE TO EARTHQUAKE
03 328 7311
Christchurch - Akaroa Guided Walks
03 962 3280
Lyttelton Information Centre
03 328 9093