Kia Ora! In this blog post, I want to highlight two of my favorite places that I visited in Christchurch – the International Antarctic Centre and the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve! There is a shuttle that runs between Cathedral Square, the Antarctic center, and Willowbank. It only costs $15 for a pass, and you can ride between all three locations! At the Antarctic Centre, there are many immersive exhibits, each conveying information about the history and exploration of Antarctica. One of my favorites was a winter storm simulator, where the temperature projected on the screen plummeted below zero and the wind whipped my hair across my face. I also watched a 4-D movie, met a few huskies, and rode in a Hagglund, a Swedish-made all-terrain vehicle used in Antarctic expeditions. After thoroughly exploring the Antarctic center, I boarded the shuttle to the wildlife reserve, where I finally got to see live kiwis!! Their enclosure was much larger than I expected and was lit by dim red lights, mimicking a nighttime environment. Although I couldn’t take any pictures of them, I will definitely remember them! In addition to the kiwis, Willowbank had a wide array of animals – from other native New Zealand animals to more familiar farm or zoo animals. In addition to visiting the International Antarctic Centre and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, I also enjoyed walking around Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale Garden Park. Below is a photo of the botanic gardens! Overall, Christchurch is a very fun place to stay, and I highly recommend exploring it and making the most of your time there!
