Lyttelton (Christchurch) – Gardens, Wildlife & Farm Life
Today was another group tour with Travel with Mandy Loo, and we met up to head off the ship together once again—this time exploring Lyttelton, a suburb of Christchurch.
We all loaded into a van for the day and started off driving through town, learning bits of history along the way. I love murals, so of course I had to snap a few photos whenever I spotted them.
A Little Time in Town
We stopped in a small town center just as a farmers market was being set up. It’s always fun seeing the different local offerings and getting a feel for the community.
As we wandered, I found myself drawn to all the contrast—modern tiled buildings sitting across from more traditional structures, statues tucked into corners, and yes… another mural for good measure. It was all eye candy to me.
Mona Vale Garden Park
Next stop was Mona Vale Garden Park, and this place was just beautiful.
We walked along a peaceful path beside the water, what I’d probably call a slough. Everything was so well manicured and impeccably maintained. As we wandered, there were little garden offshoots, water features, and tucked-away spaces that made it feel like you could explore forever.
We reached the manor (though didn’t go inside), then continued through what they called a bathhouse—which looked more like a stunning greenhouse.
Further along, we found a rose garden on one side and a water feature on the other, along with another greenhouse structure. There was so much to take in, I’m sure I missed some details just trying to see everything.
One thing that really stood out? Everything felt big and mature—even the thistle and the bumblebees seemed oversized.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
From there, we headed to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a behind-the-scenes experience.
First up were the kea birds, and they were hilarious—like little toddlers following their handlers around. We watched as they were trained and tested, and they were incredibly intelligent.
Then came the kiwi experience.
I had no idea kiwis are nocturnal, so we entered a darkened habitat where photography wasn’t allowed. It took a while for our eyes to adjust, with only small red lights guiding the way.
You could hear them moving through the brush—quick little scurries—and occasionally catch a glimpse of a shadow darting by. They felt so elusive, which made the experience even more special.
We also met a few other animals along the way… including some pigs who were apparently on a diet (no more snacks from visitors!).
A Taste of Farm Life
Before heading to our next stop, we grabbed box lunches for the road and set off toward a working sheep farm.
The drive alone was worth it—rolling hills, wide open spaces, and glimpses of water along the way. Absolutely beautiful.
At the farm, we learned what daily life is like for a sheep farmer. He explained how wool is graded, showed us the machinery used to process it, and gave us a demonstration of his award-winning shearing skills.
But the real star? His sheepdog.
Every command was done by whistle, and watching the dog guide the sheep felt like a choreographed dance—so impressive.
We even had the chance to shop for products made from lanolin, from lotions to clothing, before ending our visit with tea and biscuits (and yes, those butter cookies were delicious).
Wrapping Up the Day
After a full day of exploring, it was time to head back and say goodbye to Lyttelton.
New Zealand continues to impress me at every stop. There’s so much to see, and I honestly feel like I could spend so much more time in each place.