Arrive into Christchurch

Choose through us how you arrive into Christchurch whether it is by air or land. We will ensure your travel preferences are in keeping with the arrangements we have made for you and we will make it easy to maximise the experiences you have chosen through us.

Our very special, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable host, local Geoff will be there to greet you personally and ensure your arrival runs to perfection. No delays in luggage or check-ins, everything is designed to run smoothly for you to maximise your journey with us.

As your luggage is stowed for you, sit back and relax and enjoy your private and very informative exploration around Christchurch with someone who can treat you to the “real” knowledge, the “real” stories, and the “real tips” on ensuring you know the Christchurch today, yesterday and through history.

Imagine after learning such interesting facts, arriving at your perfect evening retreat so you can freshen whilst Geoff arranges to have you taken and returned safely to your evening eatery when you are ready. Geoff as your personal concierge will have ensured the best table at the best place to dine all set up around his great knowledge of the local eateries and your favourites when it comes to cuisine.

Dine in the heart of the garden city and enjoy your company with each other before being returned to your gorgeous overnight escape with plenty of time to enjoy a great evening, a nightcap, and a perfect night’s sleep.

Day 2. Arthurs Pass TranzAlpine Train Journey

Arise to a new morning with a gorgeous breakfast hand-delivered to you and enjoy a morning of peace, tranquillity, and service.

An early morning escort to the train station by professional host Geoff will see you departing the Garden City at 8;15am. Travel on the world famous TranzAlpine train (included in your journey) across the mighty Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest flat area to the spectacular South Alps passing the ski areas of Porters, Cheeseman, Craigeburn and Broken River. Sit back and take in the sights and treat yourself to a fresh hot coffee and a tasty treat from the on-board cafe.

After an incredible train-ride through the Southern Alps, arrive in the picturesque Arthur’s Pass by 11:00am where your friendly and knowledgeable hosts will be there to personally greet you at the station. Your hosts, well-known environmentalists will share with you their own backyard with you, a stunning 4,000 acres of remote wilderness.

Enjoy the complimentary guided nature tours or farm activities, included in your journey, and discover the high country sheep farm where merino wool is sheared, take a relaxed walk to the McKay Moa forest and learn about the ‘bizarre’ moa shrubs or discover the mossy beach forest surrounding the lodge. Search for orchids, watch birdlife and see manuka (tea tree) recolonise the grasslands.

At night, join a guide to learn about the stars that illuminate the southern sky. Spot constellations, satellites and planets. The clean air and lack of light pollution makes for brilliant clear skies. A moment to lose yourself to the encapsulating beauty of nature.

A gourmet evening dinner will be prepared for you with the perfect matching wine from some of Canterbury’s finest cellar doors with the freshest of ingredients to bring the region alive on a plate. Start with the seared scallops, indulge in the braised wilderness lodge lamb shoulder and end with a kiwi favourite of sumptuous ‘sticky date.’ With a menu that changes daily, you will be spoilt with superb options.

Day 3. Christchurch Return

Wow – a morning of additional experiences. May we tempt you? Ask for our menu

After exploring many corners of the 4,000 acre secluded spot you now know so well, enjoy a scenic train ride and see the other side of the Southern alps on your return to Christchurch where your professional host will be ready and waiting to safely chauffeur you, should you have flown to the Airport for a swift and hassle-free departure after a weekend of wild wilderness and unique natural beauty. Now you know Christchurch and Arthur’s Pass better than anyone! Sssshhh, don’t tell your secrets but instead please recommend our “hosting from afar” services.

Extend your journey through us by visiting other destinations including Kaikoura, Akaroa, Maruia and Mt Cook Aoraki for the best way of maximising your time in the South Island. We can customise any journey to suit you by tailoring length of time and location, departing Auckland, Christchurch, or Queenstown.

Lots of Love from Love My New Zealand.

Discover New Zealand’s most English like city and its distinctive history from Gothic revival-architecture, the significant series of earthquakes over 2010-12 to the city’s most newly built structures. Christchurch has a unique story to tell, this story is best told by our trusted and professional host Geoff. A true local, he will share his very own passionate and personal experiences with you. Whether you have already visited Christchurch or are yet to arrive, this is a truly memorable tour of exclusive insight and background of the histories that have shaped the city and the surrounding Canterbury region – insight and value you simply cannot encounter on your own.

Stand and re-trace the steps where the first-ever European Pilgrim’s landed on the 16th of December 1850. Following the pilgrim’s path and local Maori history, Geoff will take on a special visit to Rapaki Bay, Lyttelton Harbour and view a unqiue Maori Marae in a beautiful tranquil setting.

On Saturday’s visit the Lyttelton Farmers Market which Geoff personally founded in 2001 and rated by Lonely Planet as one of New Zealand’s best before being driven to the picturesque Governors Bay, home to world-acclaimed children’s author Margaret Mahey. Fall in love with this beautiful settlement with one of the best Chocolaterie shops in New Zealand.

Explore the vast Canterbury Plains with a special visit to the Sign of The Takahe. An English styled Manor house designed by J.G Collins, one of the oldest architectural firms in New Zealand before being completed by Englishman Harry Ells in 1949. Appropriately named after the flightless native New Zealand bird, the Takahe.

Going on to visit ‘Deans Bush’ and the historic homestead, the only remnant of the original forest that covered the Canterbury plains, escaping huge fires that swept across the province during the Moa hunting period over 600 years ago.

Move into the 21st century and view the brand new, vibrant Christchurch as Geoff takes you through the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 visiting the moving White Chair memorial and temporary cardboard Anglican Cathedral built in place of the city’s much beloved Christchurch Cathedral. Importantly, also passing by Al Noor Mosque showing our respects and meeting one of the most inspirational survivors of the Mosque Shootings – Farid Ahmed. His story and resilience will leave you in awe.

After a chance to freshen up at your accommodation, enjoy a gorgeous evening meal at a restaurant of your choice where your pre-booked table is awaiting your presence. Indulge in fine dining and the best of Canterbury cuisine before Geoff chauffeurs you back to your evening accommodation for the perfect evenings rest, the Britten Stables. A refurbished boutique luxury bed and breakfast where Kiwi mechanical engineer John Britten built his famous V1000 model motorbike. Relax in the contemporary ambience and allow your warm and knowledgeable hosts Isabelle and Tim to share with you their unique family story, an iconic slice of kiwi history.

Geoff has been involved in Tourism since August 1992. He is a past member of the Canterbury Tourism Council where he represented the local Adventure Tourism Industry operators. Geoff is extremely passionate and caring about what he does, and together with fellow awesome Kiwi staff, promises to give you the very best holiday experience possible while you explore our beautiful land, Aotearoa – New Zealand. Geoff is a past competitor in the famous “Coast to Coast” Endurance Race – World Championship event and has competed in numerous Marathons and Multi-sport races. Geoff absolutely loves our world – famous great outdoors, our majestic mountains, beautiful lakes and rivers, fiords, glaciers, ancient rain forests, golden sandy beaches, our unique Maori Heritage and much more. Geoff feels privileged to be able to share New Zealand’s beauty and special uniqueness with you.

Professional Host Geoff Venning

This is an experience that has been designed to take the heavy lifting out of trying to decide where to go and what to do. Instead Love My New Zealand makes it easy within our huge network of premium partners along with our superb hosting skills to deliver an already designed journey that you can simply go and enjoy. Here is what we include:

Luxury Accommodation

Beautiful and private luxury accommodation is included for your first and second evening. An evening dinner is fully included on night two and subsequently breakfast on both mornings. Please note dinner on evening one is at your discretion

Private Concierge and Professional Host

Private and professional concierge Geoff who will personally meet you either as you arrive into Christchurch airport on a regional flight or indeed at a predetermined location if you are driving your own vehicle.  Settling in at your accommodation before your professional host drives you through the history of Christchurch in either our vehicles or even your own, it really is at your discretion but a time to allow your knowledge of Christchurch to be expanded.

Organisation and On-going Service

A private booking system to ensure you have the perfect table at a restaurant that suits your culinary desires and that you are taken there and returned privately so that you can enjoy a wine or even two without the worry of driving or indeed that you have the same person who really cares about your experience making sure you arrive back safely.

TranzAlpine Train Journey Including Return

Your TranzAlpine Train journey is included as your superb mode of transport for this experience. One of the most scenic train journeys in the world that we are so lucky to have in our backyard. You will experience picturesque views from both sides of the Southern Alps from the comfort of spacious and roomy seating to the trains open-air carriage providing uninterrupted views. Be sure to pack a coat for the chilly winter months! The on-board licensed cafe will provide you with all the creature comforts including wine from the region’s best cellar doors, simply ask for their menu and order at your leisure.

Daily Guided Nature Walks & Farm Activities

Your evening accommodation in Arthurs Pass operates two excellent complimentary guided activities per day including High Country Sheep Farm Discovery, McKay Moa Forest Adventure, Stars of the Southern Sky and Birds & Special Plants of the Beech Forest. The perfect way to explore the 4,000 acres that will be at your disposal on days two and three.

Gourmet Dinner at Mount Rolleston Restaurant

Your evening dinner on day two is included in your journey as a 3 -course style dinner with two options provided for each course. The restaurant can cater to any dietary needs, simply let us know as you enquire so we can arrange for the chefs to prepare you something special.  The restaurant’s speciality is their fresh farm produce, offering ‘Wilderness Lodge Lamb’ as an option every second night. This top-quality merino-Hampshire cross lamb is raised with care on the property. The menus also feature bacon, ham, eggs, manuka honey and herbs off the Wilderness Lodge Farm.

Not Included:

• Day one – Your evening dinner due to everyone having a different requirement is not included.

• Any flights are not included however, we will be happy to arrange those flights on your behalf or indeed to work with you to make sure that all flights work appropriately in with your schedule.

• Day two & three – lunch meals are not included as we prefer to leave this at your discretion.

Price Per Adult from NZ$990.00 GST Incl.

Love My New Zealand can tailor any element of your journey to your wishes. Choose from our menu of experiences below and enquire about how we can customise your experience with us.

• Self-Guided discovery over a network of trails or the adjacent National Park, an absolute must-do during your stay
• Half and Full Day Guided Trips
• Exclusive Guided Tours including hiking and kayaking adventures accompanied with a picnic lunch and refreshments
• Thrilling Tandem Skydive
• Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Flight
• Punting on the Avon River
• Alpine Jet Boat Ride

We also offer Multi-Day Tours to Akaroa, Kaikoura, Maruia and Aoraki Mount Cook. We can tailor any South Island journey to suit you and extend your experience with us, please indicate your interest in the booking form below.