Lyttelton itinerary

Lyttelton Harbour is a beautiful scenic harbour located just 15 minutes from the centre of the city of Christchurch. It offers the visitor spectacular scenery, a fascinating Maori and European history and an abundance of recreational opportunities.

The Journey

It’s just a short drive of 13 kilometres to Lyttelton Harbour and you’re in the middle of a long extinct volcano.

From Cathedral Square, in the heart of the city of Christchurch, drive along Worcester Street. Turn right into Fitzgerald Avenue and then left into Ferry Road. Continue along Ferry Road to the Tunnel Road round-about which is sign-posted for Lyttelton. Drive along the Tunnel Road through the tunnel to Lyttelton.

Alternatively you could catch the Number 28 public bus from the Bus station on Colombo Street.

The Activities

• The Timeball Station is set dramatically on the Lyttelton hills where it can be seen from any point in the inner and outer harbour. The castle-like structure was built in 1876 especially to house the time-ball, which was used to signal exact Greenwich time to the town’s busy port. With this information captains of coastal vessels and wool clippers could note the error of their chronometers. Time signals using the zinc ball continued until 1934 when radio signals took over. The system remains in working order and is one of only five left in the world known still to be intact.
• Bars and Cafes. There are many bars and cafes in the town. The Volcano, open for evening meals only is in an historic fish factory, converted with tiles and wrought ironwork and is popular for its variety of meals. There are cafes and bars open both during the day and the evenings, where you can get a meal or rest and relax while overlooking the harbour.
• Historic Buildings abound in Lyttelton, with many of them restored to their former finery. Colonial Victorian and Edwardian cottages, cling to the streets, and there are craft and antique shops
• Historic Walks – A brochure is available, to give you a fascinating look at the historic buildings around the centre of the town. It provides information about the Settlers, and points out places of interest. Enquire at the Lyttelton Information Centre
• Bridle Path Walkway. Relive the history and walk the original route from Lyttelton to Christchurch, used by the Canterbury Settlers. A large mural portrays an early scene of the women and children who walked this steep track, with their worldly belongings. Its called the Bridle Path because it was too steep to ride the horses over, and they had to be lead by their bridles.
• Quail Island – excellent walks and picnic spots. Launches leave from Lyttelton on a regular basis. You can spend half or a full day on the island, and there’s safe swimming during the summer months.
• Orton Bradley Park, A large reserve of forested hillsides and valleys. Its a historic farm centre, bequeathed to the public. There are beautiful walks through the rhododendrons in season, and mountain bike tracks, and walks round the hills.
• Private and Public gardens. Open to visitors to the Lyttelton Bays, enquire at the Lyttelton Information Centre.
• Christchurch Wildlife Cruises, daily harbour cruises to view the Hectors Dolphins and weekly visits to Ripapa Island. Also regular ferry trips to Diamond Harbour and Quail Is.

Option

Depart Christchurch, drive own Colombo Street towards the Port Hills and continue onto Dyers Pass Road. Follow Dyers Pass Road until you reach the Sign of the Kiwi. At the Sign of the Kiwi you follow the road to Governors Bay. Then at Governors Bay you left to and continue onto Lyttelton.

Operation/Time to allow/Distance from Christchurch

• Timeball Station/30 minutes/1 hour 40 minutes
• Historic walks/30 minutes/1½ hours 30 minutes
• Bridle Path walkway/1½ hours/30 minutes
• Quail Island/2- 5 hours/1 hour
• Orton Bradley Park/2 hours/1 hour
• Christchurch Wildlife Cruises/2 hours35 minutes