Christchurch – Sightseeing and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Highlight tour of Christchurch on a beautiful day plus admission for self guided visit to Willow Park animal preserve. We got to see a kiwi in the nighttime created environment for the kiwi. Wandered through to see all the bird & animal residents. Our guide, Joseph was quite knowledgeable (first hand) of the devastating earthquakes in the area. As an engineer, he was able to answer some technical questions. He had an easy going manner and was a talented juggler! He got us back to the shuttle with time to spare despite some traffic challenges.

We started 30 minutes late because two passengers didn’t arrive on time. The guide said he needed to rush through our city tour because we needed to be at a certain location by 11:00 so certain members of the group could break off and make their next excursion. On the return we had another guide who should have returned us by 3:00 or 3:30 (at the latest) and didn’t return us till 4:20. He independently added his own small city tour though we were all on a tight schedule to return to our ship. While it was generous of him it caused unnecessary stress that we would get back to the ships shuttle on time. This is the only time I have experienced this type of incident with Viator.

Joseph was an engaging and enthusiastic guide who made our day very enjoyable. Being a local for many years, Joseph provided lots of insights into Christchurch both pre and post the earthquake. He was really able to make clear the dramatic influence of the quake on Christchurch and its surrounds. We were able to explore some of Christchurch on our own after Joseph pointed out key landmarks. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was interesting as well. With the wildlife guide, we got to see some NZ birds and learn about these. There were also plenty of other animals. We would thoroughly recommend this, especially for people with young kids.

This tour is an easy and relaxing trip. The pace was just right- not rushing from place to place. Our Guide/Driver, Joseph, was very organized and calm even though two passengers on our tour got lost wondering through Mona Vale Garden Park.
The Mona Vale Garden was beautiful with roses and other flowers.
The visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was very interesting - seeing a lot of exotic animals.
The bus ride along the shoreline was a sight to behold with green rolling hills/mountains and shining reflection of the aqua color water.

This tour provides you with a mix of city highlights and wildlife. The wildlife portion has a guided section including a lot of information on the kiwi bird. Then you get time on your own to explore. This tour doesn’t feel rushed

The highlights of Christchurch are approached and explained in detail. A walk in Mona Vale Garden Park is also included. The highlight, however, was the extended visit to the Willobank Wildlife Reserve.

Scotty our guide was excellent gave great commentary. Very informative. Wildlife park small but we saw the new Zealand animals we came to see. Our only complaint was with the inconsiderate people on the tour. 1st stop had to wait for 20minutes for 2 to get coffee
Next were the 2after lunch who strolled back late. No consideration for fellow passengers.

Fabulous experience. Worth every penny!!!! I missed this tour when my husband had to have his appendix out. So glad I got to do this. Christchurch is a beautiful little city with the river running through it, and wonderful gardens. The animals were really fun to see and the distance wasn’t terrible, so lots of viewing time.

Whole experience was wonderful thanks yo our driver who provided excellent info and stops were wonderful. Highlight wax the Reserve again excellent guide who provided a great knowledge of all animals!

This is a big bus tour driving through the city. Cannot see what the driver is describing with many on/off stops. Didn’t appreciate having to search for lunch and hurry to eat. The ONLY reason the tour received 3 stars is the wildlife preserve. Did not have 2 hours at this stop as described.

We absolutely LOVED the nature reserve. The excursion came with a personalized tour which really made the experience even better. Learned so much and got to see some really great animals.
Christchurch has lots to offer and definitely worth spending time in town.
Our guide, Alan, was nice and gave us some good information although clear instructions about times and meet up spots would have been helpful.

We spent way too much time driving in town. Passed some places 3-4 times. Kiwi reserve place is best done on your own. Avoid this tour

Joseph our guide was very passionate about Christchurch! He gave us a lot of info about Christchurch and how it was devastated by the 2011 earthquakes - amazing to see how they have rebuilt a lot of the city.
Willowbank wildlife Reserve was very good - Had a guide explain to us about the work the reserve is doing to save the native species- highlight was seeing the native NZ birds including the KIWI bird! there were lots of native animals too. The Riverwalk Market was a bustling place with lots of food choices and shopping - we wish we had more time!

Our guide was great. We stopped at a botanical garden which we didn’t expect. It was very good and our guide was very knowledgeable of all the trees and bushes. The highlights were the views and the seals. Highly recommend this tour. There were only 10 of us the small 4 Wd van which is so much better than the 45+ size bus. A big bus could not get to where we went.

My mom and I enjoyed the tour very much. Especially in a van with a small group of tourists. The personalized service from the tour guide is excellent.

Great tour of the city and very knowledgeable guide. Day ended with a guided tour of Willowbank reserve that was fantastic. Loved seeing and learning about the local birds especially the kiwi.

Since Joseph was born and raised in Christchurch, we were especially fortunate to have him got our guide. Driving throughout the city and surrounding area, he shared not only a great deal of information about the history and the earthquake, but shared personal stories and his perspectives as well. We enjoyed our time on our own in the preserve song several birds in natural habitats.

We liked Christchurch very much and the tour provided excellent highlights of the the city. We also enjoyed the interaction with animals in Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

Joseph, our tour guide, was wonderful! He told us all about the history of Christchurch and the results of the earthquake that severely damaged the city. He was a fabulous tour guide. We also loved the wildlife preserve. Wonderful tour-highly recommend!

A very comprehensive tour of Christchurch. We learned a lot about the devastation from the earthquakes and the rebuilding of the city. Joseph, our guide provided us with a lot of inside access to botanical gardens and other stops that the larger buses did not do. A very engaging and clever person. The wildlife preserve was good but we never saw a kiwi. Apparently they are rarely spotted. A great overall tour that I would recommend.

The guide was engaging and very knowledgeable. He went out of his way to make sure we saw everything and had a great time.

Joseph was a font of local knowledge. He lives in the area and was able to give us first hand information about the 2012 earthquake devastation. He loves his town and took us to lots of extra special places that most bus tours would not be able to navigate. Arrival and return we're on time as scheduled.

I loved Mona Vale park and enjoyed Willowbank.I got to see and hear a kiwi!Our driver(forgot his name)was very nice and very informative.

Enjoyed it. Guide Kelly did a great job despite her ankle injury. Really liked to wildlife park with its native and exotic wildlife.

Such an amazing tour. Our tour guide Cali was so lovely and knowledgeable. A really great day in Christchurch

The visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was wonderful. The tour of the city was 4 hours of the guide talking about which buildings or city blocks collapsed in the 2011 earthquake and how stupid their government was. Would have been nice to hear more about the history of the city prior to 2011.

Great time to see a lot in Christchurch. The big bus had people for two tours but that wasn’t a problem in any way.We stopped at several spots on the way and rode a bit through the city and then had time on our own for shopping, lunch or sightseeing. Then the bus dropped some of us at the wildlife sanctuary and then took the rest to the Antarctic center. We were then picked up in the same order and came back to the cruise port.

Great tour with small group and an outstanding guide, Scotty from Leisure Tours. He was extremely knowledgeable and engaging in describing all the various places we visited on the tour. We had time at some places to walk out and view and take photos. We went then went to the Willowbank Wildlife refuge. Again, great guide where we enjoyed viewing various types of birds; sheep, deer, goats, cows, gibbons and more. Beautiful facility.

Great tour around Christchurch with Joseph. We were picked up just outside the port and took a scenic drive to Christchurch. The ride around the city was very nice and Joseph was very informative and had great passion for his city. A couple of beautiful stops and free time then a nice visit to the wildlife park. I would highly recommend this tour.

Loved the willowbrook wildlife park. Driver knew the city very well and pointed out the various sights. She gave us enough time for lunch during one of the stops. Great job Cali.

Our guide Jude gave a great tour of Christchurch and the surrounding area. We really enjoyed the visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. The visit included a guide, Sam. It was a pleasure to spending time learning about the animals from someone who has such love and passion for the work he does. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time there.

Joseph, our tour guide, was very talkative and gave out great information and facts about Christchurch. Willowbank wildlife reserve was good and got to see a couple of Kiwis in the dark.

So much information given. Saw a lot in the city. Took a hop on bus as plenty of time given to explore further. Willowbank was really lovely. Great trip.

3 hours was too long to be dropped off in downtown Christchurch. An hour on the tramway and another hour in town would have been plenty. Loved our walk thru Hagley park and the Willowbank animal preserve. Finally got to see a Kiwi!! Diane was a super tour guide, very knowledgeable and helpful! Good choice for an excursion.

Belle journée même si mère nature n'était pas de notre côté. Notre guide était excellente. Nous avons eus le temps de visiter et dîner.

Der Wildpark war wirklich schön und interessant! Natürlich wollten unbedingt Kiwis sehen. Das diese interessanten Vögel nachtaktiv sind wussten wir nicht und so haben wir einen einzigen Kiwi im halbdunkel gesehen!

Seeing a actual kiwi at willowbank. Tour guide was knowledgeable and had lots of info re the Christchurch earthquakes.

Very knowledgeable, polite friendly . Passionate about his country. Couldn't ask for anything more. Explained in detail about how day would go . Gave plenty of time at each stop . Got us back to ship in good time . Was flexible

First point, my tour was cancelled because high winds closed the port of Lyttleton and our ship (Celebrity Edge) could not dock. That obviously is not the fault of the tour company. My issue is the "worry free shore excursion guarantee" which Viator specifically states if the ship cannot port, you get a refund. Well, I was charged $178 and only received $151 refund.
I contacted both the tour company and Viator and wasn't able to get a full refund. Again, this may be a great shore excursion - but don't advertise the guarantee if you aren't going to honor it.

We loved the Mona Vale Gardens , the Riverside Market, Cathedral Square and the Williwbrook wildlife park.
What a great day
Thank you

Very enjoyable day. We were able to have a couple hours in Christchurch where we had lunch on our own. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was fun and we got to walk through beautiful gardens too. Our driver/guide was very good too.