Christchurch is the final destination for the Top of the South Island road trip. The last night was a dinner and night tour combo at Willowbank Wildlife Reserves. I booked through an online website.

Just five minutes from the airport, this wildlife reserves is an easy drive and a fun idea for kids and adults alike. Willowbank focuses on conservation and education, including a nocturnal house for seeing the Kiwi. Arriving early to walk around before nightfall and to listen to the talks is highly recommended.

Fun facts about the famous Kiwi:

– Kiwis are part of an ancient group of flightless birds
– They are like a mammal, including their habits, their fur-like feathers, and those nostrils on the tip of their beak they use to locate food underneath the soil through smell and sensing the vibrations from their prey’s movements. You can even hear them snorting to clear out all that soil from their nostrils.
– Their eggs are ginormous. While they may not be the largest in size, they are in proportion, even as much as 20% of the bird’s body weight. All that yolk can sustain the baby chick who arrives fully feathered. Also, could the kiwi’s ancestors have been big birds?

Visitors can also see other New Zealand natives such as the Tuatara and the Brown Teal. Whether you have kids or not, Willowbank Wildlife Reserves is a great way to visit with animals and learn about them. They offer various encounter and guided tours.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserves
60 Hussey Road, Harewood | Phone: 03 359 6226