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You will see
- Flowers in the steamy tropical heat of the conservatories
- New Zealand's only World Peace Bell.
- The Botanic Gardens
- The Rose Garden containing 150 different varieties
The Botanic Caterpillar Tour offers informative and fully guided electric shuttle tours through Christchurch's spectacular Botanic Gardens. Established in 1863, the 75 acre gardens host the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand.
Explore one of the world's most historic Botanic Gardens on the Caterpillar Tour. Our tour guides really know their stuff and can answer all sorts of questions. Which trees are best for making bows and arrows? Can corks be made from trees? Do bananas grow in Christchurch?
Leaves entwine and flowers flourish in the steamy tropical heat of the conservatories. Compare the sub-Antarctic daisies, tough enough to survive wind and sleet. Appreciate the outdoor circular Rose Garden containing 150 different varieties. Crush a leaf and smell each herb in the Blind Garden. See New Zealand's only World Peace Bell.
You can get on and off the Caterpillar shuttle at various stops throughout the gardens or stay aboard for a full 1 hour guided tour. A great family activity at any season of the year.
Visitors have the flexibility of staying on board for the whole one hour journey or getting on or off at any of the marked stops around the circuit. The four electric and solar powered vehicles are environmentally and wheel-chair friendly. Each shuttle can carry up to 20 passengers.
Please check the "Summary" tab for dates when this tour is sold out due to block bookings by the cruise line.
- Full commentary by our expert tour guide
Instructions
- Dress warmly on the day you go exploring, and wear comfortable shoes
- Our all-weather vehicles are easy to board, requiring one step to get on or off, and have safety handrails.
Restrictions
- For safety reasons, children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children are classed as being from 5 to 15 years of age.
- Please note that this tour is already sold out for the following dates:
10 October 2017
27 October 2017
29 October 2017
7 December 2017
8 December 2017
15 December 2017
22 December 2017
more dates for 2018 to be added when they come to hand
Experience Schedule Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| start time | end time | |
Experience Prices (current) | |
|---|---|
| Adult price | NZ $30.00 |
| Child price (5 to 15 yrs) | NZ $15.00 |
| Family price (max adults 2 max children 3) | NZ $82.00 |
NOTE: Prices may vary depending on your Date of Travel.
Our Booking procedures quote the applicable prices before you commit to a Booking.
How long does the full circuit take?
The full circuit, with commentary by our expert tour guide and driver, takes approximately one hour.
If I am on the Christchurch Highlights Tour what time must I book for?
The only time option you have is the 1.30pm start time, this will be after our lunch stop. Our guide will meet you at 2.30pm at the and of the garden tour for the return trip to the ship.
Can we get on and off the shuttle if we want?
Yes, Visitors have the flexibility of staying on board for the whole one hour journey or getting on or off at any of the marked stops around the circuit. But you will need to be back at the meeting point in good time for the return to the ship in Akaroa.
