Location: Christchurch
Top Things to do in Christchurch
Top Restaurants in Christchurch
Things to do in Christchurch, South Island: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Christchurch abounds with arts, adventure, and optimism. It's the gateway to the beautiful Canterbury region, featuring dramatic vistas and adventure sports set against a backdrop of lofty peaks. In the central city, more and more attractions and businesses reopen to the public each day.
Restaurants in Christchurch
1. Orana Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,031 reviews
Set in 80 hectares within 15 minutes’ drive of Christchurch Airport, Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. We get you up close and personal with the animals. Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; seeing New Zealand's only gorillas; eye balling the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, or travelling through the Lion Reserve! Over 400 animals representing more than 70 species are displayed at the Park. Regular animal feed presentations occur daily and are accompanied by a presentation from a wildlife guide. Visitors can enjoy the antics of tigers, cheetah, Tasmanian devils, monkeys, meerkats and more. Two large walk-through aviaries enable you to see some of New Zealand’s unique native birds and Orana is home to a wide range of native reptiles. Visitors can pet domestic animals in the Farmyard. Orana is internationally renowned for its involvement in zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species. When you visit, you are supporting our conservation work. It’s a full day of fun for everyone at Orana Wildlife Park!
Reviewed By ants811 - Wellington, New Zealand
Absolutely in awe, i have seen animals in Zoos and they do not compare to the size of the animals in this wild life park. The enclosures were ginormous which let the animals freely move around. The Giraffes, Yaks, Buffalo, Lions, Tigers, Spider Monkeys, Gorillas, Orangutans, Cheetahs, Meerkats even the Turtles just seemed closer, bigger, more interactive and available to see. I feel like we must have come at the perfect time because we saw everything, my son loved the silver back, didn't want to leave.
2. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,043 reviews
See Kiwi in a natural environment - there is no glass! Get close to Kea, Tuatara and other native icons. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also home to introduced and exotic breeds. Make your own way around the park and animals will eat right out of your hand. Willowbank is open from 9.30Am daily - kiwis are able to be viewed from 10.30am until close.
Reviewed By 757denised - Parks, United States
Wonderfull done with lots of beautiful birds and original farm animals for this area and a great Kiwi habitat were you can see the birds up and personal. went to several other but this was by far the best.
3. Travis Wetland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Ezra710 - Christchurch, New Zealand
After a few months without visiting it was time to do the Travis Wetlands walk again. It was good to see more planting had been done and there were now signs identifying and describing some of the plants. Easy track, suitable for wheelchair and push chair in most places. Well formed [solid] dirt track, with boardwalk in some of the western sections.
4. Groynes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By owlesey - Kaiapoi, New Zealand
I regularly bring my dogs to the dog park. They love it. There is agility area, swimming in river and many fields to walk through. If your not with dogs there are many picnic spots, boat hire which is lots of fun, bush walks, small playground to name a few. All I say is well done CHCH council.
5. Spencer Park
6. Styx Mill Conservation Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By 29Kathie - Christchurch, New Zealand
Great place to get away from all, great walk, peaceful and de stressing, saw ducks, swans, pukekos. In town yet you feel miles away
7. Arion Farm Education Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
Arion Farm Park was established to provide a safe environment where children and adults can touch and feed a variety of farm animals and birds. You can learn about their history and contribution to the New Zealand economy. Also available are pony rides, horse treks and on site cafe with toilet facilities. Sheltered seating where you can bring a picnic or BBQ or enjoy an ice cream and drink from the cafe. Perfect setting for parties. Open every day except Christmas day.
8. Lake Ellesmere
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 8 reviews
9. Otukaikino Walk
Overall Ratings
2.0 based on 3 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
