Activities
There are a wide range of enjoyable and interesting activities to do on and around the Peninsula. These include:
Salty Dog Charters on MV Angitu
Meet up with the Skipper, Charlie Hulbert and enjoy a fun day out. His vessel is equipped with fishing gear, a barbeque and it makes for a comfortable day out exploring the harbour and more. Charlie has a vast knowledge of the region and will keep you entertained. Private Charters, Fun Fishing, Barbeques.
Tel: 03 328 7021
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..
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
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.
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..
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.
Tours of Lyttelton's Timeball Station
The historic, stone, Lyttelton Timeball Station, on a hill overlooking Christchurch's picturesque Lyttelton Harbour, was built in an era when the region's only links with the outside world were by sea. For over 50 years, from 1876, the Lyttelton Timeball signalled Greenwich Mean Time to all ships in the busy harbour below, helping to ensure maritime safety. The building is one of about twelve "timeballs" in the world still working. Built by prisoners from the nearby jail, the Timeball Station is an important example of mechanical engineering of the times. This interesting castle-like building is also worth the climb for the great harbour view. See the bottom of this page for contact information.
Go up Christchurch Gondola
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.
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.
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.
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!
| Activity | Price | Contact Details | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool-fun and Farmstay | $225 per person | Bergli Hill Farmstay Teddington 03 329 9118 (Rowena & Max) 027 4829 410 (NZ only) bergli@ihug.co.nz |
from 1pm day1 to 1pm day2 |
| Golf | $15 per round or part round | Charteris Bay Golf Club Charteris Bay 03 329 4853 |
Every day but Saturday (12-4) |
| Tennis | $5 court hire (honesty box) |
Charteris Bay Tennis Club Charteris Bay 03 329 4339 |
Dawn to Dusk! |
| Horse Treks | $35 per hour $65 for 2½ hrs |
Orton Bradley Horse Treks Orton Bradley Park 03 329 4900 info@obhorsetreks.co.nz www.obhorsetreks.co.nz |
7 days |
| Hiking Picnics Barbeques Historic Centre Outdoor Education Centre |
$3 Adult $1 Child $8 Car |
Orton Bradley Park Charteris Bay 03 329 4730 ortonbradley@xtra.co.nz |
8 am to sundown |
| Harbour Cruises Quail Island Ripapa Island |
$45 Adult $15 Child $10 Adult $5 Child $19 Adult $9.50 Child |
Christchurch Wildlife Cruises Lyttelton 0800 436 574 03 328 9078 www.blackcat.co.nz Connecting ferry from Diamond Harbour Free |
Phone for timetable & reservations. |
| Mountain Biking Kayaking Craft Workshops |
$7 per hour 2 hrs minimum $75 Mosiac $65 Hypertufa (2 mornings) |
Garden Gallery Diamond Harbour 03 329 4555 025 608 5529 0274 345 707 |
Tues - Fri : 10 - 4 Sat & Sun : 10 - 5 Half day Hire 9 - 1 and 1:30 -5:30 pm Please enquire |
| Diamond Harbour Historical Walk | 50 cents for Map | Diamond Harbour Historical Walk Map purchase at Diamond Harbour Country Store or Church Bay Services |
Dawn to Dusk at your leisure |
| Mt Herbert Walk/Cliff Walk | $1 for map | Map purchase at Diamond Harbour Country Store or Church Bay Services | Dawn to Dusk at your leisure |
| Port Levy Mail Run | $12 per person inc morning tea. Up to 3 people |
Port Levy Mail Run Phone & Fax 03 329 4521 03 329 4483 (John the mailman) jjsims@paradise.net |
Leaves DH post Office Mon-Fri 8:30 returns 12:30 |
| Mini Golf Kayaks |
$2.50 per person $5 for 30 mins |
Purau Bay Holiday Park Purau Bay 03 329 4702 |
9 - 7 every day |
More Activities in nearby Lyttelton:
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
03 328 7311
Christchurch - Akaroa Guided Walks
03 962 3280
Lyttelton Information Centre
03 328 9093