08.45 Meet and greet in Lyttelton township for your Christchurch Highlight Tour with Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.
09.00 Depart Lyttelton and travel via the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour to Governors Bay and then via Dyers Pass to the Sign of the Kiwi. Dyers Pass climbs up the old volcanic crater wall to the summit.
09.30 The tour arrives at the Sign of the Takahe, a Scottish-like castle that has a viewing platform providing magnificent views over the City of Christchurch, Pegasus Bay, the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps. Access to the viewing platform is via a gentle 5-minute walk.
09.50 Depart the Sign of the Takahe for Mona Vale, a stately home and magnificent gardens.
10.10 Arrive at the front gate house of Mona Vale and stroll through the grounds, following the Avon River which acts as one of the property's boundaries. The coach will then travel around to the rear gatehouse where your tour guide will meet you once you have had the opportunity to explore the grounds.
10.30 Depart Mona Vale and travel into the central city of Christchurch which was completely devastated by the Christchurch earthquakes in February 2011. Your guide will explain both the history of the city and the effects of the earthquake, you will see for yourself both the destructive powers of nature and the rebuild which has and is taking place. The central city tour will conclude in Cathedral Square where you will be given time to explore this central part of the city on foot & time for some lunch.
12.45 The tour will depart Cathedral Square for Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where a guided tour of the reserve has been arranged. The tour will illustrate some of the species that make up our totally unique native wildlife and flora. Here you will see some of our most endangered species, including kiwi, and learn about what is being done to preserve them.
15.15 Depart Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and return to Lyttelton via the Eastern Suburbs, the estuary, and finally the beach suburb of Sumner with its sand and surf beaches and the Pacific Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see.
16.20 A stop will be made at a viewing platform on the harbour side of Evans Pass which overlooks the ports container and coal terminals and affords great views of both the harbour and the historic Timeball station.
16.30 The tour returns to Lyttelton township where your awaiting shuttle transfers you back to your cruise ship. Tour Duration 7.5 hours.