Akaroa Shore Excursion: Comprehensive Christchurch City and Wildlife Reserve Tour

Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonders of Christchurch on this comprehensive shore excursion. Discover the city, explore the stunning Banks Peninsula, and get up close with New Zealand’s unique wildlife at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 6 days
Highlights
  • Akaroa Village Inn - First you will be collected at the park at the end of Akaroa Wharf (opposite the Akaroa Village Inn) at 10.30am and driven through the village of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula with stunning views of rolling hills, lakes and coastlines before arriving in Christchurch.
  • Christchurch Botanic Gardens - After boarding our…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Port pickup and drop-off
  • Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

See the sights of Christchurch when your ship is in Akaroa port, and explore the city on a comprehensive tour. Your Akaroa shore excursion also includes a trip through the beautiful Banks Peninsula and a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Meet the elusive kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird, along with exotic visitors including deer, wallabies,…

Location
The Britomart Cannon
From the Main Wharf in Akaroa, head down to the end where you will see the Akaroa I-Site and a small park on the right-hand side. Next to the Canon statue, a representative will be waiting for you. Please arrive by 10.15am for a 10.30am departure.
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
3.7
(26 Ratings)
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Jim_b
Jan 14, 2023
Fantastic LOTR Excursion! - 360 views of Harbour and city! Walking tour of outer shire movie sites. WETA visit. Best tour guide ever!
Review provided by Viator
Jeffrey_b
Dec 3, 2020
A terrific tour of Christchurch and environs. - Absolutely the best tour we had in New Zealand. Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We were taken places the large buses would miss;. All in all a terrific excursion. Well worth it!
Review provided by Viator
Nanciemoran1
Feb 4, 2020
Banks Peninsula and Christchurch tour - My husband and I enjoyed this excursion. Rob, our tour director, was very informative and we learned lots about the surrounding area and Christchurch. Although a 90 minute drive from Akaroa, it was worth it. The scenery along the way was lovely. The city tour was interesting, the botanical gardens were nice and the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve was not to be missed. We now have a better understanding of New Zealand's unique geography and biodiversity.
Review provided by Viator
Edmundo_de_abq
Feb 7, 2019
Good Tour Itinerary - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charles
Dec 29, 2018
A great zoo experience Time crunch otherwise - Beautiful trip from ship port Akaroa to Christchurch But consumes a lot of the time of the tour. The Willowbank zoo was excellent and the guide, Matt, was phenomenally informative about NZ wildlife. But just too short a time for other features, the museum and garden.
Review provided by Viator
Terry
Feb 22, 2018
Christchurch was some what... - <p>Christchurch was some what disappointing because on the ongoing earthquake repairs. Willow bank was informative and fun. Actually saw a Kiwi bird eating in the dark.</p>
Review provided by Viator
Gail_k
Feb 3, 2025
Too little time to do... - Too little time to do Christchurch justice. We enjoyed the reserve but you really can’t do both from Akaroa. Loved the drive there through the mountains. The tour should start as early as possible to allow more time.
Review provided by Viator
Stephenemeeks
Feb 10, 2020
Nice ride, nice refuge, too shallow. - The drive was very informative and good, but the tour of the refuge, even by the staff manager was disappointing.
Review provided by Viator
Steven
Mar 22, 2020
Kinda Disappointed - Not to our expectations - Very long ride to and from. We did not think there was much to see in Christchurch. The Wildlife Reserve was not up to our expectations - did get to see 1 Kiwi Bird - very dark and hard to see.
Review provided by Viator
Gary_s
Feb 3, 2025
A long bus ride - that’s all it is. - Would never do this again. We sat on the bus for forty minutes waiting for a couple that wasn’t even on the same tour. We then traveled over 1 1/2 hours to Christchurch where the guide dropped us off in a dead zone for 25 minutes - not enough time to see anything. We then went to a wildlife preserve which was sort of a combo zoo and petting farm only to take another 1/12 hour ride back to the ship. Expected more from what turned out to be money paid for a long bus trip. The driver tried to be informative and entertaining but making us wait really killed a good part of the day. I’d like a refund!!!
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
February 2025
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