Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 165 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch worth booking?
Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch is a 6-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $340 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 165 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (165)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $340 per person
Enjoy a stunning guided walk along the Godley Head Loop Track, one of the most breathtaking hikes in Christchurch. Your guide picks you up from your accommodation and transports you to Taylors Mistake Beach, where the ad
What you get
- Local guide
- Walking poles
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
About this experience
Enjoy a stunning guided walk along the Godley Head Loop Track, one of the most breathtaking hikes in Christchurch. Your guide picks you up from your accommodation and transports you to Taylors Mistake Beach, where the adventure begins. Take in world-class views as you traverse the ancient crater of an extinct volcano and enjoy one of New Zealand's most beautiful coastlines with an experienced local guide. This well-maintained loop track spans 8-10 km (5-6 miles) and takes approximately 3 hours to complete, allowing plenty of time to soak in the scenery. Hot drinks at a local café, morning snacks, and a gourmet picnic lunch are all included. Along the way, you'll see recently restored historic WWII landmarks, an Antarctic cabin, a penguin colony, and charming little huts. Visit Boulder Bay, a secluded beach with views over Pegasus Bay and the majestic Southern Alps. Wildlife sightings may include seals, dolphins, and native birds. This day tour begins and ends in Christchurch City.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Walking poles
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup (within a 5 km radius on the city)
Not included
- Hotel pickups more than 5km outside of the city centre
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Sumner Beach (Cave Rock)
After hotel pick up, your guide will entertain you with the history of Christchurch on the 20-minute drive to Sumner Beach in a 12-seater van. Here you will enjoy a hot drink on the deck of a seaside cafe overlooking the ocean and Cave Rock. This is a beautiful landmark and a great start to the day.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Taylors Mistake - Awaroa / Godley Head Walk
Your next stop is Taylors Mistake Beach (10 minutes drive), a beautiful black sand surf beach, with quaint little baches. Here your guide will hand out backpacks, poles, lunch, water bottles, and snacks, and prepare you for the walk.
30 minutes here
Godley Head
The next three hours will be spent walking Godley Head Loop Track, one of Christchurch's most beautiful hikes. Sights include Scott's Hutt (an Antarctic Cabin), WW2 Gun emplacements, a penguin colony, and coastal views in all directions. Picnic lunch will be enjoyed at a remote beach along the way with historic cabins, where we often encounter wildlife such as seals, dolphins, and many birds. Your walk returns to Taylors Mistake Beach, for a relaxing drive back to your pick-up location.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Christchurch
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Crater Rim Walks
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 165 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
165 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Crater Rim tour Christchurch
Nicole was a great tour guide, she was very professional, on time, easy to talk to and knowledgeable. We were pleasantly surprised with the early beach spot , which was an excellent way to start. Riharri was also a great guide and provided an Moriori perspective that was very valuable to us All in all a wonderful experience which I would highly recommend
Response from the operator: Thank you, so great to hear you enjoyed your day with Nicole & Rihari, feedback much appreciated.
via Tripadvisor
Super worth it!
Highly recommended for nature lovers! Nicole decided to push through with this walk even though I am a solo traveller. That alone already made me special. She was very accommodating and light hearted I did not even feel I was walking for 2 and a half hours. She was also excellent in taking stunning photos which added to the quality of this walk. Healthy snacks and hearty lunch were also served. Godley Head and Crater Rim Walk turns out to be one of my highlights while in Christchurch and is definitely worth multiple tries.
Response from the operator: Thank you Reggie! It was really fun spending the day with you, and it's so nice to hear it was a highlight for you. I hope the rest of your trip goes really well - come back again soon! Nicole
via Tripadvisor
A glorious April day on Godley head.
This full day walking tour was wonderful, for two main reasons. 1) Our guide Ita was a delight, very pleasant and kind, a good listener, and full of knowledge. 2) The weather was absolutely perfect, it could not have been better! The pace of the walk could have been a little slower, but then that’s an individual preference. A yummy morning tea and lunch was supplied. Thoroughly recommend this guided walking tour.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed the day with Ita:-)
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful walk along the Crater Rim
We did a 6-hour excursion with our wonderful guide, Heidi, today. It exceeded our expectations and the photos don’t really do it justice. The whole experience was just perfect with amazing views and a really enjoyable tramp along the coastline.
Response from the operator: Thank you this is lovely to hear. All the best with the rest of your time in NZ.
via Tripadvisor
This was an incredibly...
This was an incredibly beautiful, 6 mile hike along the permitter of a volcano crater and Godley Head. Our super friendly hike leader Dee gave us historical and cultural information. of the ares. A delicious picnic lunch was also served along with group photos sent to us after the hike. Kudos yo Crater Rim Walks in Christ Church!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much! Glad to hear you had a great time with Dee and also enjoyed the lunch and photos.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 58
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Crater Rim Walks, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.9.
See everything Crater Rim Walks runsWhy this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.
How much does Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch cost?
+
Prices start at $340 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Christchurch usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch take?
+
Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Christchurch is not rushed.
Is Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 165 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 6-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch?
+
Around 58 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Christchurch can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Christchurch and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Christchurch within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Christchurch?
+
On Outty we rank every Christchurch experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip, Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch.
Pick your date
