Modern coaches and shuttle back to your cruise shipGuided tour at Willowbank Wildlife ReserveVisit attractions: Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale gardens, central Christchurch (including Cathedral Square), Sumner beach, Evans Pass, and viewing platform overlooking the port and Timeball stationExpert driver/guide with commentaryLunch NOT includedGroup size 50 people

Adult: 16 years +Children: 3-15 yearsInfants: 2 years and under, free if not occupying a seat

Cancellations & Refunds

8 days or more before departure: Full refund**Between 7 days and 24 hours: 50% refund**Within 24 hours: No refundShould the cruise ship not berth for any reason, other than rescheduling within 7 days, no cancellation fees applies**.Note: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Book now

Christchurch & Willowbank Wildlife Shore Excursion from Lyttelton

South Island

Leisure Tours

from

US$96

per adult

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Nocturnal kiwi bird walking through ferns at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Experiences

Shore Excursions

Nature & Wildlife

Family-friendly Tours

South Island

Start: Lyttelton

Locations: Lyttelton, Christchurch

Duration: 7.5 hours

This full-day shore excursion takes cruise passengers from Lyttelton through the Port Hills and central Christchurch before continuing to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a guided wildlife experience. Departing from Lyttelton township, the tour runs for approximately 7.5 hours, from around 9:00am to 4:30pm, including sightseeing, time in central Christchurch and the Willowbank visit before returning via Sumner and Evans Pass. Available on selected cruise-ship days, it includes coach transport, a guided Willowbank tour, sightseeing stops, expert driver-guide commentary and a shuttle back to your ship; lunch is not included. It’s particularly well suited to cruise passengers who want to combine Christchurch’s scenery and city highlights with the chance to see New Zealand wildlife, including kiwi, in one day.

From Lyttelton Harbour to the Heart of Christchurch

Begin the day among the volcanic hills surrounding Lyttelton Harbour, travelling through Governors Bay before climbing Dyers Pass towards the Port Hills. Stops at the Sign of the Kiwi and Sign of the Takahe reveal sweeping views across Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains and, on a clear day, the snow-capped Southern Alps — a striking introduction to the landscapes that surround the city.

Continue to Mona Vale, where manicured gardens and the Avon River provide a peaceful change of pace before heading into central Christchurch. Around Cathedral Square, learn about the city’s history, the impact of the 2011 earthquakes and the regeneration that has reshaped its centre. There is also time here to explore on foot, take photographs and purchase lunch before the afternoon wildlife experience begins.

Aerial view of Lyttelton Harbour and surrounding hills in Christchurch

A dawn view over Lyttelton Harbour with the lights of Lyttelton town and Diamond Harbour across the water, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Curator’s House in Gothic style at Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Historic Public Trust Office building in Christchurch

Colourful heritage buildings and outdoor dining on New Regent Street, Christchurch

Pathway alongside the Avon River in Christchurch with native trees

Tuatara resting on a mossy rock at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

New Zealand longfin eel swimming in a stream at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Two fallow deer lying on the grass at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Mother and son walking on a bush track at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Young boy smiling at a kea parrot on a rock at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Mother and son sitting by a kea parrot at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Family feeding an alpaca at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

A curious kea parrot perched on a rock at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Kunekune pig walking near an enclosure at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Raised wooden walkway through native bush at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Two children feeding an alpaca at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Close-up of a tuatara on forest floor at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Ring-tailed lemur resting on a log at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Kea parrot displaying its vibrant underwings at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch

Panoramic view from Sumner Beach over Christchurch city with the Southern Alps in the background.

View of the Sumner coastline and residential headland in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Meet New Zealand’s Wildlife Before a Scenic Coastal Return

The afternoon takes you to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a guided encounter with New Zealand’s distinctive native wildlife. Wander through natural surroundings while learning about native species and conservation, with the opportunity to see the elusive kiwi along with creatures such as tuatara and kea. The wildlife experience adds a completely different dimension to the day, moving from Christchurch sightseeing into the natural heritage that makes New Zealand unique.

After Willowbank, the journey returns towards Lyttelton through Christchurch’s eastern suburbs and the seaside community of Sumner. From the coast, climb Evans Pass for impressive views across the harbour heads and southern bays, with a final stop overlooking Lyttelton Port and the historic Timeball Station. It’s a scenic conclusion to a day that brings together harbour landscapes, city history, gardens, native wildlife and the Canterbury coast.

This tour is only available to cruise passengers.

Worry-Free Guarantee: Ensuring timely return to your cruise ship or transfer to the next port of call if needed.

Tour code: LT76ACS

Modern coaches and shuttle back to your cruise ship
Guided tour at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Visit attractions: Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Takahe, Mona Vale gardens, central Christchurch (including Cathedral Square), Sumner beach, Evans Pass, and viewing platform overlooking the port and Timeball station
Expert driver/guide with commentary
Lunch NOT included
Group size 50 people

Adult: 16 years +
Children: 3-15 years
Infants: 2 years and under, free if not occupying a seat

8 days or more before departure: Full refund**
Between 7 days and 24 hours: 50% refund**
Within 24 hours: No refund
Should the cruise ship not berth for any reason, other than rescheduling within 7 days, no cancellation fees applies**.

Note: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Itinerary

⚠️ Please note: The itinerary may vary slightly depending on cruise ship schedules and weather conditions.

08:45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your Christchurch Highlight Tour with Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

09:00 Depart Lyttelton and travel through the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay. Ascend Dyers Pass to the summit for stunning views of the harbour and Christchurch from the Sign of the Kiwi.

09:30 Arrive at the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish-style castle featuring a viewing platform with breathtaking views of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains, and the snow-capped Southern Alps. The platform is accessible with a short, easy 5-minute walk.

09:50 Depart the Sign of the Takahe for Mona Vale, a stately home with magnificent gardens.

10:10 Arrive at the front gate house of Mona Vale and take a leisurely stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River along the property’s edge. After exploring the gardens, the coach will pick you up at the rear gate house, where your tour guide will meet you.

10:30 Depart Mona Vale and head into central Christchurch, where you'll learn about the city's history and the impact of the February 2011 earthquakes. See the destructive power of nature and the ongoing rebuild efforts. The tour concludes at Cathedral Square, giving you time to explore on foot, take photos, and enjoy lunch.

12:45 Depart Cathedral Square and head to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for an enjoyable guided tour. Explore the reserve's unique native wildlife and flora, including some of New Zealand’s most endangered species like the kiwi, while learning about important conservation efforts.

15:15 Depart Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and return to Lyttelton via the eastern suburbs, the estuary, and the beach suburb of Sumner, known for its sand and surf beaches. From Sumner, the tour will return to Lyttelton via Evans Pass, which was closed for over 7 years following the 2011 earthquake due to cliff collapse. Evans Pass offers fantastic views of the harbour heads and southern bays.

16:20 Stop at a viewing platform on the harbour side of Evans Pass, which overlooks the port’s container and coal terminals, and offers great views of the harbour and the historic Timeball station.

16:30 Return to Lyttelton township, where your awaiting shuttle will transfer you back to your cruise ship.

Tour Duration 7.5 hours