Lyttleton-Arthurs Pass with Lunch & Farm tour?

[elaine5]

Lyttleton-what to do? Is this a good excursion (with great scenery)?  We are on 13 day cruise, likely our only trip to NZ. We are active, early 60s, day prior is biking wine tour, so not super exhaustive stuff for this port.

Arthurs Pass with Lunch & Farm tour, to Springfield (at the foot of the stunning Southern Alps), then  ascending the Porter Pass to Castle Hill, Continuing to  Arthurs Pass village, traverse through peaks of the Arthurs Pass National Park, to Otira Gorge, Otira village, return to Christchurch via the Southern Alps and Alpine Passes. We will also visit a sheep farm. Other option is to go to CC or just DIY hike around Lyttleton. Thanks, Elaine

[Over from NZ]

Are you doing it by train or by Van/bus? Arthurs Pass/Otira is stunning. The first hour or so is a bit average.. but once you get past Springfield and into the Arthurs Pass it's very scenic. Castle Hill is interesting too (was used for one of the LOTR scenes). Would recommend that trip (unsure if the farm tour will be any good - that's up to you). 

 

If you don't do it.. Christchurch is only about 15-mins from Lyttleton. Wouldn't be a lot to do in Lyttleton for a day.. so would recommend heading over the hill to Christchurch.. do the Tram, Punting on the Avon, the Botanical Gardens etc.. and then if time on the way back, the Gondola. 

[elaine5]

2 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

Are you doing it by train or by Van/bus?

Bus shore excursion. The drive looks a bit harrowing. We might just hike around Lyttleton that day up the hill. 

[Over from NZ]

1 hour ago, elaine5 said:

Bus shore excursion. The drive looks a bit harrowing. We might just hike around Lyttleton that day up the hill. 

I wouldn't call it harrowing at all. Far from it - it's a great drive.. and would be even better from a bus (I drive it about 5-6 times a year and have done it by train also). Certainly not harrowing at all though. 

[Dinosuitgirl]

Personally I think that's a long drive for a nice view, but your missing so much by getting all the way to Arthur's pass and not going on any hikes... But then again you don't have that luxury of that kind of time on a cruise. (We spent 8mths towing an 8m travel trailer around the South Island) 

 

For us Lyttleton is nice but won't fill a morning even if the market is on... There are a few nice walks up in the hills especially around the gondola but it's a mission to get to without a car. 

 

I personally would get to Christchurch and do the tram around town find a nice bar or a bite at riverside, Christchurch city area is mostly new and flat and easy and has a pretty river running through it. There's more than enough to fill a day in Chch.