Beautiful Corsair Bay is a quiet sheltered swimming beach suitable for children and young families.

There is plenty of parking, changing rooms, picnic tables, toilets and a playground.

The Coast Track between Cass Bay and Corsair Bay is a beautiful walk around bays with nice picnic areas, swimming spots, pretty scenery, and views of harbour and mountains. It's a relatively short walk but be prepared for some steep sections and stairs on the way. A public toilet is located halfway along.

Car parks are open from 7am to 9pm summer, 7.30am to 5:30pm winter.

Ōtamahua / Quail Island is an inner harbour island, reached via a short ferry ride from Lyttelton. It's Canterbury’s largest island but is easily explored in a day.

Easy grades make the walks on this island suitable for small children and family groups.

Take your lunch and swimming costumes with you for a great family day out.

If you wish to have an overnight adventure on Quail you have two options, both need to be booked in advance through the DOC Website.

The fortified pa was built on Ripapa Island in the early nineteenth century by Taununu, a Ngai Tahu chief who had moved south from Kaikoura.

A sketch made of Ripapa in 1872 shows bastions that would protect the defenders and provide them with a clear line of fire. Deep ditches were dug behind earth ramparts, and a second line of ramparts and ditches protected an inner section of the pā. Several skirmishes were fought on the shores and slopes surrounding Ripapa. Ngāi Tahu occupied Ripapa until about 1832, when the chief Te Whakarukeruke left to help defend Kaiapoi against Te Rauparaha.

Black Cat island cruise information can be found here.

Legend says Diamond Harbour earned its name when an early settler saw sunlight sparkling on the water, and it reminded him of countless shimmering diamonds.

Diamond Harbour remains one of the sunniest, most untouched destinations on Banks Peninsula, perfect for day trips. Whether you’re up for a vigorous hike to Mt. Herbert, a leisurely cliff-top walk, or a simple café visit for delectable food and coffee, there’s something for everyone.

The Diamond Harbour Ferry, operating since 1888, is the recommended mode of transport, bridging Diamond Harbour with Lyttelton. Just a brief 5-minute stroll from the ferry jetty brings you to the heart of the township. With departures every hour, the journey is both convenient and scenic.

This route was first constructed in 1850 for Canterbury's first European settlers travelling between Lyttelton and Christchurch. A steep track but stunning views over the city to the Southern Alps and of Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula make it worth while! There are a number of memorial seats on the way up and a stone shelter at the top to commemorate the pioneer women of Canterbury. The number 28 bus runs between Lyttelton and the city via Heathcote if you would prefer to only do the walk one way.

Duration of walk: 4.8km track, 2 hour return.

Start location: Either start on the city side from the Bridle Path car park, just below the Christchurch Gondola or Lyttelton side from Bridle Path road.

Governors Bay is a little town in the Lyttelton Harbour nestled against the Point Hills. Beautiful and quaint, it is an ideal holiday retreat affording stunning views.

Governors Bay activities include boating, swimming, hiking and fishing.

Stay or dine all day at the beautiful and historic Ōtoromiro Hotel, established 1870.

Stroll along the foreshow and out int the Harbour on the newly restored Governors Bay Jetty.

NO DOGS ALLOWED

Orton Bradley Park is a private 650ha rural property situated on the southern shores of Lyttelton Harbour open 365 days a year.

They are a fantastic family friendly location, with large open spaces, fantastic sunsets, and park like settings.

Over 25km of walking tracks cater for all ages and abilities.

The property has a large children's adventure playground, with flying fox, situated next to a small stream, and we also have a number of short mountain bike tracks suitable for all members of the family. The park is the perfect location for family picnics, birthday parties, school camps and wedding functions. Home to one of the largest trees in New Zealand, Orton Bradley planted over 160 exotic trees of which you will notice some of the trees are numbered.

Cafe Hours: Friday to Sunday 10.30am to 3.30pm

One of the most popular walks in the city. Steep in parts but great views of the city, estuaries and ocean walking up and views over Banks Peninsula at the top. The top is the Summit Road which can be accessed by road and also good for linking to other tracks at the top if you want to carry on or return the same way. Well formed track. good for off-road prams.

Duration of walk: 7km, 2 hours return.

Start location: Parking on Rapaki Road or nearby roads.

Urumau reserve, which covers 26 hectares, is located on the prominent lava flow ridge that encloses Lyttelton on its eastern border. It is less rugged than Whakaraupo, the other Lyttelton reserve on the opposite side of town. Urumau is a good place for picnics and walking as well as mountain biking. It is bounded on its northern boundary by a block of land owned by Lyttelton Port Company and on its eastern and southern sides by Sumner Road.

Considerable work has been done in developing the mountain bike track network by the Lyttelton Mountain Bike Club.

Primary Trail Type: All-Mountain & Downhill Land Status: Community Forest

Access Info: The official entrance to the reserve is from the end of foster terrace

Find more local bike trails here.

The Fox II is your premier choice for private charters, weddings, team-building events, and company functions. Private charters can be booked for a minimum of two people, but our vessel can accommodate up to 30 passengers per trip, and for larger gatherings, we’re happy to collaborate with other charter operators to meet your needs.

Private charters are relaxing, fun and different. Our team can arrange food and drinks for every occasion, making the event-planning effortless, and your whole experience stress-free.

We have a BBQ on board as well as a full galley with cooking facilities.

Typically, private charters include sightseeing, sailing, and then anchoring out of the wind somewhere scenic and relaxing.

Black Cat’s Dolphin Swimming adventure offers an intimate experience with only 12 swimmers allowed per vessel. This ensures more opportunities for close encounters with the dolphins. Due to the limited spots, cruises often sell out quickly, so advanced booking is crucial. Participants must be at least 8 years old to swim. Children aged 8–12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cruise through the magnificent Akaroa Harbour and encounter the wild Hector’s dolphins in their natural habitat. It’s essential to note that we respect their space: no touching or disturbing them. It’s a genuine and respectful encounter on their terms.

Allocate 3 hours for your dolphin swim experience. This includes 2 hours on the water and an additional hour for preparation, safety briefings, and post-swim relaxation with hot showers.

A bit further afield in Akaroa, you can experience a magical moment with the curious and playful Hector’s dolphins, as they come right by the boat.

During three hours, you will come up close to the dramatic scenery of the Akaroa harbour and its unique geological features, spot little blue penguins and New Zealand fur seals, albatross, and, if you’re very lucky, the occasional orcas or whales that visit the harbour.

With a maximum capacity of 30 people, you will have plenty of room to move around and see the dolphins, seals, penguins or albatross!

Embark on our historical ketch, as our skipper narrate the history of Akaroa and point out the wildlife. If you fancy yourself a sailor, you could even take part as crew.