Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic

Outty Ranking 77 5.0 · 70 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $350

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$350
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 70 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic worth booking?

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic is a 5-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $350 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 5/5 rating across 70 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
5/5 (70)
Duration
5 hours
From
$350 per person

Experience the spectacular scenery of Godley Head on a full-day guided coastal hike designed for cruise ship guests visiting Lyttelton Port. Meet your local guide at the port before travelling to the seaside suburb of Su

What you get

  • Local guide
  • Walking poles
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Port pickup
  • Tea and coffee

About this experience

Experience the spectacular scenery of Godley Head on a full-day guided coastal hike designed for cruise ship guests visiting Lyttelton Port. Meet your local guide at the port before travelling to the seaside suburb of Sumner in a 12 seater van, where you'll enjoy hot drinks overlooking the ocean. A short drive brings you to Taylors Mistake Beach, where your walk begins along a beautiful coastal track. Set within an ancient extinct volcano, the 8-10 km (5-6 mile) loop track takes in restored WWII gun emplacements, Scott's Cabin, and panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean, Pegasus Bay, Lyttelton Harbour, and the Southern Alps. Enjoy snacks and a gourmet picnic lunch while keeping an eye out for seals, dolphins, and native birdlife. Your guide will share stories of the area's history, wildlife, and volcanic landscape. With approximately 3.5 hours of walking, this small-group experience offers a relaxed pace and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery before returning to Lyttelton Port.

What's included

Included

  • Local guide
  • Walking poles
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Port pickup
  • Tea and coffee
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Not included

  • Gratuities

What you'll see and do

  1. Sumner Beach (Cave Rock)

    After meeting your guide at Lyttelton Port, you will be transported in a 12-seater van to Sumner Beach (approximately 10 minutes drive), where 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.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  2. 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 · Admission included

  3. Godley Head

    The next three hours will be spent walking Godley Head Loop Track, undoubtedly one of Christchurch's most beautiful hikes. The track is undulating and well-maintained. 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.

    180 minutes here · Admission included

  4. Lyttelton

    Upon completion of your walk, your guide will drop you back to Lyttelton Port. Alternatively, if time allows, you can request to be dropped into Christchurch City to explore, and then make your own way back to Port.

    30 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Christchurch

Get the free shuttle bus from the ship to Norwich Quay (5 minutes drive), where your guide will be waiting opposite Canterbury Street with a sign.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Get the free shuttle bus from the ship to Norwich Quay (5 minutes drive), where your guide will be waiting opposite Canterbury Street with a sign.

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

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 2Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 3Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 4Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 5Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 6Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic in Christchurch, photo 7

Good to know

Duration
5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
12+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
25
Verdict
Strongly Recommended

Why this scores 77

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)95
Review evidence (18% weight)69
Booking momentum (14% weight)63
Value for money (12% weight)24
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)83
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.

How much does Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic cost?

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Prices start at $350 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 Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic take?

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Plan for about 5 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 Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 70 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic?

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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 Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic?

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Around 25 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?

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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic start and how do I get there?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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