Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

The drive through the peninsula was very pretty. Unfortunately we only had 30 minutes in Christchurch. It would be better after such a long drive to spend at least 1-1/2 hours there. Really enjoyed the wildlife reserve.

This tour started at 10:30am. The bus met us near the dock in Akoroa. It was about a 1.5 hour ride through the country to Christchurch. Our driver was conscientious and informative. We had a short stop at some botanical gardens before we took a quick tour of the city, which showed us some of the places that were still impacted from the earthquake Christchurch experienced in 2011. Our next stop was the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where we had a wonderful tour with Rachel. It held many birds and a kiwi exhibit. We actually got to see 4 of these birds in a habitat that has switched day and night. Very cool! Following that, we made our way back over the mountains to Ankoroa. This was a 6 hour excursion.

The drive from Akaroa where ships dock, through Banks Peninsula to Christchurch is a long but interesting drive where you see much of the countryside. Christchurch is a magnificent city. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a family owned and operated place where animals are displayed for public viewing. They advertise that they participate in conservation of Kiwi's and other wildlife. If you imagine that this is a vast wildlife sanctuary it's not. It was interesting to go inside the Kiwi habitat they've created and also to go inside the large bird enclosures.

I booked 3 excursions with you on internet. Dunedin tour, with Len? very good, a good overall tour; Banks Pen, wildlife, great tour & driver Robert, Christchurch still sad; Doug, Hobbiton tour, terrific, finally got there