Lyttelton

Things to do in Lyttelton

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Lyttelton

View all Attractions
Christchurch Tram
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Christchurch

Christchurch Tram

7.4
4.7/5
79 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 · 10.4 km from Lyttelton
International Antarctic Centre
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Christchurch

International Antarctic Centre

7.7
4.6/5
259 reviews

The International Antarctic Centre is located in Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. Christchurch is one of only five "Antarctic gateway cities" in the world, providing long-term logistical support for multinational Antarctic research expeditions, and this centre is a reflection of that unique status. The building's exterior was designed by Warren & Mahoney Architects, shaped like an ice wedge squeezed out from the Antarctic continent, echoing the geological features of the Antarctic ice sheet. Inside, there are multiple interactive experience zones. The Antarctic storm experience is one of the most popular attractions, with real snow laid indoors and low temperatures and fans simulating the onset of a blizzard, with perceived temperatures dropping to minus ten degrees or more. Before entering, visitors need to change into cold-weather jackets and shoe covers provided by the centre, and during breaks in the storm they can take photos in the ice cave area. The penguin rescue area houses little blue penguins rescued from the wild — the smallest species in the penguin family, with adults standing about 40 cm tall, each with its own name and story. Keepers hold scheduled feeding demonstrations, explaining each penguin's personality and rescue story while feeding them. Visitors who want a deeper understanding can also join the penguin behind-the-scenes tour, stepping into the keeper area to observe the penguins' daily care and feeding arrangements up close. The outdoor area offers the Hägglund all-terrain vehicle experience — riding this amphibious off-road vehicle developed by the Swedish military along a specially designed route that simulates Antarctic research teams crossing ice fields, climbing hills, and fording rivers, providing a bumpy and thrilling ride. The centre also features a 4D cinema showing immersive short films on Antarctic themes; the Antarctic science exhibition hall introduces Antarctica's geology, climate, ecology, and the research history of various countries through interactive exhibits; and visitors can learn about the real lives of New Zealand's Scott Base personnel in Antarctica. In addition, the centre keeps several husky dogs, and visitors can get up close and learn about the role of sled dogs in early Antarctic exploration.

Christchurch · 18.9 km from Lyttelton

Traveller favourites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Lyttelton

Featured Culture & history in Lyttelton

View all Culture & history
Christchurch Highlights Audio Tour: City Icons
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
FromPHP 448.84PHP 561.05
From Christchurch: Sheep Farm Experience with Lunch & Winery
󱌍
4.7/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPHP 12,144.30
Christchurch: Akaroa Day Tour with Nature Cruise
󱌍
4.5/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
Free cancellation
FromPHP 10,207.67
Christchurch: 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour with Quake City, Cathedral & Cardboard Cathedral
󱌍
Duration: 1.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPHP 4,006.33
Christchurch: Earthquake Stories, History & Hidden Gems Walking Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPHP 1,020.98
Christchurch: 8-Hour Sea Kayaking Tour with Lunch & Transport
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
FromPHP 15,804.79
Christchurch Guided Walking Tour with Optional Wine Tasting
󱌍
4.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
FromPHP 1,232.34

Featured Day tours in Lyttelton

View all Day tours
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram
󱌍
4.5/5
· 848 reviews· 46 booked
Duration: 24 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPHP 1,512.39
Christchurch: Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket
󱌍
4.8/5
· 161 reviews
Duration: 1 day
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
62 consecutive positive reviews
FromPHP 4,293.87
ZIPCHCH Signature Tour - NZ's Highest & Longest Ziplines
󱌍
5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromPHP 7,004.30

More things to do

Lyttelton Today's weatherMostly cloudy 19-21℃
Lyttelton weather for the next 2 days11/16: 10-23℃, 11/17: 10-17℃

Free things to do in Lyttelton

What travellers say about Lyttelton

user-avatar
Louiela AnnNovember 6, 2026
5.0
It felt like a fairytale ride around Christchurch during spring time❤️

Christchurch Tram

user-avatar
Thinh0304October 7, 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)

user-avatar
Flora_GuAugust 12, 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

user-avatar
E04***80December 15, 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

user-avatar
Bryan_22November 4, 2026
5.0
I recently visited the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and it was an absolutely breathtaking experience! The gardens are a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the city, perfect for a relaxing stroll or a family picnic.What impressed me the most was the stunning scenery, especially the magnificent cherry blossoms and vibrant floral displays. Walking along the serene river and under the canopy of ancient, towering trees felt incredibly refreshing. The entire grounds are meticulously maintained, offering beautiful photography spots at every turn. It is also an ideal place to unwind, read a book, or simply connect with nature.Whether you are a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a quiet escape, this place is a must-visit in Christchurch. Admission is completely free, which makes it even more wonderful. I highly recommend spending a few hours here to fully soak in the beauty

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

user-avatar
YoYo_1I8Q7O5OJuly 7, 2025
5.0
Christchurch Art Centre is a place full of artistic atmosphere. It was once the site of the University of Canterbury. The architectural style is very Gothic. The sandstone walls, pointed arches and flying buttresses make people feel like they are in an ancient European campus. Today, it has been transformed into an art center with 34 independent studios covering a variety of traditional crafts such as glass blowing and jewelry forging. The permanent exhibition hall in the south wing also displays the works of New Zealand artists in the 20th century. Walking through it, you can not only appreciate the exquisite works of art, but also feel the historical charm of the building. In addition, various art performances and handicraft markets are held here, which is full of vitality.

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora

user-avatar
DrKrisMNovember 6, 2026
4.0
We weren’t sure what to do on our last day in Christchurch before our 4:30pm flight, so we visited the International Antarctic Centre on someone’s recommendation.We arrived at 9:30am and booked the Hägglund ride for 10:40am. Beforehand, we experienced the snowstorm, watched the penguins being fed and patted the huskies. Luckily, we did these activities early, as school and tour groups arrived after our ride, making the centre much busier.We then explored the museum displays and watched the 4D movie and other videos, finishing around 11:30am. The centre was smaller than we expected, but it fitted nicely into our morning.Afterwards, we walked to Woolworths for chocolates and Cookie Time flavours we can’t find in Sydney-much cheaper than at the airport! We walked to Maccas for a drink, then collected our luggage and car from the centre before returning the car at the airport. By 1pm, we still had half an hour before check-in opened.A fun way to spend our final morning!

International Antarctic Centre

user-avatar
铨上风满楼January 15, 2025
5.0
A free national park with a great value for money, Hagley Park is the largest park in Christchurch. Suitable for friends of all ages... A great place for a weekend picnic!

Hagley Park

user-avatar
Satisfied guestDecember 18, 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

user-avatar
M30***97August 29, 2019
5.0
The trip was amazing, especially in the winter when the mountains and other scenery are covered with snow, which is breathtaking. The return trip is a chance to revisit the scenery and catch up on the scenery you missed, and also see the reverse side (ie, the other side of the mountains, etc.)

TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth

Trip Moments in Lyttelton

Popular cities near Lyttelton

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Lyttelton?

Don't miss these attractions in Lyttelton: Christchurch Tram, Punting On The Avon (Antigua Boat Sheds), and Christchurch Gondola. If you like Culture & history, try Round-trip from Christchurch - 1-day tour to Castle Hill, New Zealand + Arthur's pass + alpine scenic train (English-speaking tour). If you enjoy Day tours, try Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram, Christchurch: Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket, and ZIPCHCH Signature Tour - NZ's Highest & Longest Ziplines. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 15, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Lyttelton is around PHP 1,512.39 – PHP 9,541.99. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.