What you need to know when visiting the International Antarctic Centre

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The International Antarctic Centre is a world-class tourist attraction, with education and entertaining experiences that appeal to all ages. The centre has over 70 exhibits, a café, gift shop and interactive experiences that are fun for families and educational for adults.

Arguably the best place to experience what the Antarctic has to offer in Christchurch is at the International Antarctica Centre. It’s an indoor visitor center with plenty of information about Antarctica and its history, as well as guided tours of an ice cave.

There are also several different attractions that you can enjoy here as well, including the Bluezone Snowzone, Icefall VR and the Southern Stargazer Observatory. This article will provide you with some helpful information regarding this great attraction so that you know what to expect when you visit.

Attractions at the International Antarctic Centre

The Bluezone Snowzone – This attraction is located on the first floor of the centre, and features a large indoor snow-making area, with two large ice rinks that can accommodate up to 400 people at a time. The snowzone is available from November to April, and is one of the best ways to experience real snow in Christchurch.

Icefall VR Experience at the International Antarctica Centre – This is located on the second floor of the visitor centre, and features a virtual reality experience that allows guests to explore an indigenous Kuwia village and experience a variety of native activities. This is a great way to get a unique look at native culture in Antarctica.

Southern Stargazer Observatory at the International Antarctic Centre – This is a unique astronomy experience that allows visitors to learn about the Southern Hemisphere, while also looking through a telescope. The stargazer observatory is located at the outdoor activity park, and can be enjoyed from December to March.

Activities at the International Antarctica Centre

The outdoor activity park is another great attraction at the centre, with a number of activities to choose from. Some of the activities available here include:

Ice climbing – This is a great activity for both beginners and experienced climbers, and allows guests to experience an authentic ice climbing experience without having to travel to an ice cave.

Frozen waterfall skating – This activity allows guests to enjoy the thrill of going down a frozen waterfall while also skating on an ice rink.

Ice stilts – This is a unique experience that allows guests to experience the thrill of ice stilt flying while also enjoying a scenic view of the city.

Climb onto a glacier – This is a unique experience that allows guests to climb onto a glacier and experience a unique ice cave without having to pay any entrance fees.

Shops and Gift Shop at the International Antarctica Centre

The centre also features a gift shop and a number of shops and restaurants, including the following:

Café – The central café is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and features a variety of food and drinks. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a snack after visiting the centre.

Gift shop – The gift shop is located on the first floor of the centre, and features a variety of souvenirs that are designed to commemorate visits to the Antarctic. The gift shop also sells books, jewellery, toys and apparel related to Antarctica.

Directions on how to get to the International Antarctica Centre

There are a few different ways to get to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. You can either take a bus, a train or a car.

Buses to the International Antarctic Centre: There are a couple different bus companies that run to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. The quickest way to get there is to take a bus from Christchurch Interisland Terminal. Another option is to take a bus from Paul Henry Terminal, which is the next closest bus terminal.

Train to the International Antarctic Centre: Another way to get to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand is by taking the train. Tranz Scenic runs daily trains that run from Christchurch to Omarama. From there, you can take a shared car service to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.

Car to the International Antarctic Centre: Finally, you can also get to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand by car. You can take a car ferry from Lyttelton Port to the visitor centre.

Who is the International Antarctic Centre perfect for?

  • Families who want to learn about Antarctica and the Antarctic research stations.
  • Families who want to experience virtual reality.
  • Groups who want to experience Antarctica at a reasonable cost.
  • People who want to do activities instead of watching a presentation.
  • People who want to learn about Antarctica and its history.
  • People who have a lot of time to spend at the International Antarctic Centre.
  • People who are interested in meeting scientists.
  • People who are interested in sustainable tourism.
  • People who are interested in experiencing different cultures.

Can I see penguins at the International Antarctic Centre?

Yes, you can see penguins at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The centre has over 70 exhibits and attractions, including a penguin exhibit, a seal exhibit and an emu exhibit.

  • The emu exhibit allows you to feed the emus, pet them and observe them in their paddock.
  • The seal exhibit allows you to feed the seal and observe them in their paddock.
  • The penguin exhibit allows you to walk through the penguin colony and view their eggs.

You can also go on the penguin tour, where you will go out onto the water and see penguins swimming and diving below you.

Ready to go?

The International Antarctic Centre is an amazing place with a lot of history and unique attractions. The centre has plenty of information about Antarctica and its history, as well as guided tours of an ice cave.

There are also several different attractions that you can enjoy here as well, including the Bluezone Snowzone, Icefall VR and the Southern Stargazer Observatory. This is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Christchurch.



November 30, 2022 by Your friends at Hotel 115



Previous Blog :

Next Blog :