International Antarctic Centre

We had a wonderfully knowledgeable guide and driver who took us from Akaroa on the Banks peninsula to Christchurch. I was very interested in the rebuilding of the city after the earthquake. The botanical garden was a welcome stop after an hour long bus ride and the Antarctic Museum was fascinating. The Haglund vehicle ride was a hoot. The museum cafeteria was the only lunch option with very limited time, choices and service. Otherwise a wonderful day in New Zealand.

Scotty was a great guide. We were lucky the cafe at the Antarctic center was pretty empty so we all were able to have a bite to eat. Loved the Hagglund ride!

We had an excellent tour! Rob our tour guide was amazing! He had so much information to provide. We had lots of time to enjoy the International Antarctic Centre. Plus, we got back to Akaroa with enough time to enjoy a beer before boarding the ship. Awesome tour!

Loved the Antarctic centre - but not enough time there. Perhaps it should be 2 separate tours. Felt rushed. But guide was fantastic.

Guide/driver was fabulous. Could have done with more time at Christchurch - a stop at the white chair memorial would have been good. Antarctic centre visit was excellent as was the guide

Great Tour. Our guide Scotty was excellent. Christchurch was very nice. The Antartic experience was unforgettable.

Our driver, Scotty, was a wealth of information. He gave us a personal insight into life around Christchurch since the earthquake. He delivered his knowledge in a pleasing blend of facts and humour which truly enriched our tour. Christchurch is a beautiful place to visit. The Antarctic Center was interesting. .

I would have left a 5* review and Scotty and the guide at the Antarctic Centre were both excellent but had to deal with a majority of passengers who were in a group of Spanish speakers who did not understand English. This meant they talked a lot among themselves on the bus while Scotty was giving us information and they kept lagging behind at the Antarctic Centre. Really interesting to learn about the problems they have had in Christchurch and the reasons for recovery taking a number of years. Scotty had an enormous amount of knowledge to share with us. The Antarctic Centre visit was good but seemed a bit rushed due to problems mentioned above.

The tour was very interesting and we enjoyed it. The reason it loses a star isn’t really their fault, but did cause some stress due to the timing of the tour. Our ship came in later than most ships arrive. We had to deal with tenders and passengers who didn’t get an early tender. People were divided into buses a little haphazardly because of the groups not arriving at port together. We were an early group so we had time at the beautiful botanical garden in Christchurch. We took a city bus tour (could be shortened to allow more time at the Antarctic Center which is what we really wanted to see). The center was very cool and different.