Lyttelton

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Christchurch Tram
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Christchurch

Christchurch Tram

7.4
4.7/5
75 reviews
The Christchurch Tram is a retro-style sightseeing tram route that loops around the city center. Christchurch had trams running through its streets as early as the late 19th century. After tram services ceased in the 1950s, a fleet of meticulously restored vintage carriages returned to the tracks in the 1990s. With their wooden interiors, brass handrails, and the crisp "ding-ding" of bells, riding one feels like stepping onto a time machine. The full loop around the city center takes less than an hour, with over ten stops along the way, allowing you to hop on and off at your leisure and spend as much time as you like at each attraction. The tram connects key highlights of the city center: Cathedral Square, the colorful Spanish-style shops of New Regent Street, the food-filled Riverside Market, the lush Botanic Gardens, and the Arts Centre composed of Gothic-style heritage buildings. A stop is also located near the Avon River punting jetty, while the Cardboard Cathedral, built from paper tubes, is within walking distance. Families with children can let the little ones run wild at the Margaret Mahy Playground. Outside the windows, century-old buildings alternate with post-earthquake landmarks, while the driver provides a guide to the history of these streets—from the reconstruction story of the cathedral to the memorial significance of the Bridge of Remembrance—making the ride both engaging and informative. A few details are worth noting during your experience: the outer sightseeing seats are not fully rainproof, so choose inner seats on rainy days; eating, drinking, and phone calls are not allowed onboard; for photography enthusiasts, waiting for the tram to pass the colorful facades of New Regent Street or cross the stone bridge over the Avon River yields particularly striking shots.Christchurch · 10.4km from Lyttelton
International Antarctic Centre
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Christchurch

International Antarctic Centre

7.7
4.6/5
257 reviews
The International Antarctic Centre is an important gateway to understanding Antarctica, located near Christchurch International Airport. Here, you can learn about various aspects of the Antarctic Circle, including its history and geology, through sound, light, and electrical displays. 1. The architecture of the International Antarctic Centre draws inspiration from unique Antarctic landscapes such as icebergs and glaciers, with interiors designed to reflect the climate and icy conditions of Antarctica. Upon entering, visitors first encounter displays of outdoor conditions at Antarctic bases and real-time photos and data transmitted from Scott Base. 2. The Antarctic storm chamber features real snow and low-temperature fans, allowing you to experience the sub-zero cold of Antarctica firsthand, complete with simulated blizzard winds. Visitors must change into warm clothing and shoes before entering. 3. Penguin feeding show in the penguin introduction area further along is the penguin introduction area, where you can also watch feeding shows. Here, you'll see the world's smallest little blue penguins, which are incredibly adorable. If you're particularly interested in these blue penguins, you can join the penguin encounter tour to explore backstage facilities, learn about penguin quarantine zones, their daily routines, and dietary habits, and even get up close with them.Christchurch · 18.9km from Lyttelton

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Experiences you can't miss in Lyttelton

Featured Culture & history in Lyttelton

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Christchurch Highlights Audio Tour: City Icons
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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Christchurch: Sea Kayaking Tour 8hrs Inc Lunch & Transport
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 8 hrs
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From Christchurch: Sheep Farm Experience with Lunch & Winery
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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FromAU$264.16AU$278.07
Christchurch: Akaroa Day Tour with Nature Cruise
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
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Historical, Heritage & Earthquake Christchurch walking tour
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5.0/5
· 11 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Christchurch: Historic Landmarks, Earthquakes & Rebirth Walking Tour (2-Hour)
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Duration: 1.6 hrs
English
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Christchurch: Waka Paddling & Cultural Experience (75 min)
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4.3/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 75 mins
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FromAU$75.80AU$79.79

Featured Outdoor & sports in Lyttelton

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ZIPCHCH Signature Tour - NZ's Highest & Longest Ziplines
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
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Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram
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4.5/5
· 848 reviews· 49 booked
Duration: 24 hrs
English
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Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo
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5.0/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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Christchurch: Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket
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4.7/5
· 158 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour
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4.8/5
· 68 reviews
Duration: 10 hrs
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Christchurch: Arthur's Pass + TranzAlpine Scenic Train
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4.7/5
· 200 reviews
Duration: 10 hrs
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25 consecutive positive reviews
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FromAU$342.54AU$360.57

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What travellers say about Lyttelton

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耳東氵罒幸一止24 August 2026
5.0
很好玩的一个体验,而且坐着电车绕城市看风景很轻松。我们都很高兴。在Trip平台买票也很方便,到地点就能轻松领取实体票然后上车,车上的领导也很细心的为每一个景点做介绍……👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Christchurch Tram

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Thinh03047 October 2026
5.0
My friends and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Punting On The Avon at the Antigua Boat Sheds, and it was an absolutely excellent outing from start to finish. We were looking for a relaxing group activity, and this completely exceeded our expectations. The scenery and natural environment along the river are stunningly beautiful, making it a perfectly tranquil escape that contributed to a fantastic atmosphere.  Our overall enjoyment was top-tier; gliding along the water while taking in the picturesque sights was both peaceful and incredibly fun to share with friends. Everything was incredibly well-organized, and we all felt that the exceptional service provided outstanding value for money. If you are traveling with a group of friends and looking for a highly rated, memorable experience on the water, we cannot recommend this enough!

Punting On The Avon (Antigua Boat Sheds)

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Flora_Gu12 August 2025
5.0
Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, nestled between mountains and the sea, offers panoramic views of the city and coastline from the cable car. We followed the directions a friend had sent us and arrived near the summit. A short climb up brought us to the cable car station. There's an observation deck and a cafe on the second floor. This way, we only had to buy a one-way ticket down the mountain, which was significantly cheaper. A Chinese staff member at the ticket office told us about a "Time Tunnel" car showcasing the history of Canterbury, New Zealand. If you take the No. 8 bus to the base of the mountain, you can take the cable car up and then back down—perhaps a classic way to enjoy the experience.

Christchurch Gondola

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E04***8015 December 2025
5.0
To see the cardboard church, it's important to understand its origins and story. When I visited, I happened to encounter a Maori students' choir, and the headmaster gave me a brochure about the church's reconstruction after an earthquake.

Cardboard Cathedral

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O7 July 2025
5.0
基督城植物园真是一个让人陶醉的地方!走进园内,仿佛置身于一个绿色的童话世界。玫瑰园里,250多种玫瑰竞相绽放,色彩斑斓,香气扑鼻。漫步在小径上,可以看到雅芳河静静流淌,河面上不时有轻舟划过。园内还有各种主题花园,比如香草园、石楠园,每一片都有独特的风景。这里不仅是植物的天堂,也是放松心情的好去处,让人流连忘返。

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

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小凌6014 September 2020
3.0
The art center is actually not very big, and there are no particularly shocking works. It is filled with some cheerful and modern handicrafts. I feel there is nothing to lose by just looking at them, and it can be regarded as a place to kill time.

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora

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M23***5215 October 2026
5.0
It's suitable for a half-day trip; if you have enough time, it's quite nice to experience the various activities. Our flight was in the afternoon, so we spent the morning sightseeing, had lunch at the cafe, and then checked in at the airport.

International Antarctic Centre

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Satisfied guest18 December 2023
5.0
Avon River should not to be missed. we will be carried by a punter dressed in traditional Edwardian attire! You will be slowly be brought along the water quietly past woodlands, weeping willows with the leafy banks of North Hagley Park along side the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. You can also take a Punt ride from Worcester Street Bridge through Christchurch’s central city.

Avon River / Ōtākaro

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123-traveller25 April 2023
5.0
I originally thought that Mona Vale Garden Park was connected to Hagley Park, but later I found out that they are not the same thing. Mona Vale was originally a private garden, but now it belongs to the government. However, Mona Vale is still very close to Hagley Park.

Mona Vale Garden Park

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M49***8823 September 2026
5.0
This is a very unique zoo, quite different from those in China! Chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds roam freely, with the enclosures primarily restricting visitors rather than the animals. The park also features farm animals such as cows, sheep, piglets, and ponies. The highlight is the kiwi bird exhibit. After adjusting to the light in a darkened enclosure, you can observe them. Photography is prohibited. The kiwis will approach the glass and move right at your feet; seeing them up close is truly magical and well worth a visit.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

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