08.45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your Twin Harbour Shore Excursion. This tour option explores the twin harbours of Banks Peninsula, Lyttelton and Akaroa with great photo opportunities of some spectacular scenery throughout including Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere, the Canterbury Plains, the South Islands Southern Alps and Christchurch City from the Sign of the Takahe on the hills above the city.

09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then onto Gebbies Pass before joining the Akaroa Highway near Lake Ellesmere, here on a clear day you will have magnificent views across the lake to the Southern Alps. The excursion carries onto Lake Forsyth and then the rural township of Little River prior to ascending to the summit of Akaroa Harbour and the Hill Top. The stop at the Hill Top affords a magnificent view of the entire Akaroa Harbour and a fantastic photo opportunity. The tour continues onto the township of Akaroa, originally settled by the French and maintaining some of its French character.

10.45 Join a 2 hour nature and harbour cruise on the Canterbury Cat, with Black Cat Cruises, you will experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector’s dolphins (world’s smallest oceanic dolphin) as you hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. On the cruise you should see spectacular volcanic and sea caves, penguins and seals while enjoying a commentary on this beautiful area.

12.45 On the return of the cruise you will be transferred to a popular local waterfront restaurant Bully Hayes, where lunch will be served, (optional extra) Following lunch there will be time to explore the charming French settlement with the many fine craft and produce shops and old French colonial buildings.

14.30 The excursion departs Akaroa and on the return journey visit the Cheese factory in Barry’s Bay for a tasting of some of their fine European style cheeses. Continue through the Canterbury Plains and the southern suburbs of Christchurch City to the Sign of the Takahe, a park-like setting on the hills above Christchurch affording wonderful views of the city & beyond. Departing the Sign of the Takahe the tour travels through the Eastern Suburbs to the Lyttelton Tunnel, a two-kilometer road tunnel taking you through to the Port of Lyttelton approx 5pm where your awaiting shuttle transfers you back to your cruise ship.