From Wikitravel

Lyttelton is the seaport satellite town of Christchurch, New Zealand.

[edit] Understand

Lyttelton was established as a seaport in the late 1840's. It provides a safe sheltered deepwater harbor as it lies in the caldera of an extinct volcano. The town's steep streets are a novelty for many Christchurch drivers, who rarely encounter a hill (unless they deliberately drive to the hill suburbs on the edge of the city).

In the early years, Lyttelton provided a trans-shipment point for cargo bound for Christchurch. Passengers and light cargo would travel over the Bridle Path on foot or horseback. While heavier cargo was shipped in shallow draught coastal vessels back around the coast, across the treacherous Sumner Bar and into the Estuary to Ferrymead or, later, Steam Wharf, just down the Heathcote River from where the Tunnel Road meets Ferry Road.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

There are four ways by car from Christchurch into Lyttelton:

• Through the Lyttelton Road Tunnel. The Tunnel is probably the best bet if you're unfamiliar with driving on the left and squeamish about steep twisty turns on hills. Although New Zealand roads are pretty good and you do get a great view going over the hills.
• Over the Port Hills along Dyers Pass Road (past the Sign of the Takahe)
• Via the seaside suburb of Sumner, over Evans Pass and the Sumner road. This route is an alternative to the road tunnel if you are already on the southeast side of the Estuary.
• Via Gebbies Pass, though this is a rather indirect route and is probably only a practical alternative if southwest of Christchurch.

[edit] By bus

Take the number 28 bus from the Bus Exchange to Rapaki/Lyttelton.

[edit] By foot

Walk the Bridal Path from Heathcote.

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Ripapa Island, an old WWI-era military base, now occasional tourist curio.
• The Timeball Station, a relic from the days before GPS and Atomic Clocks. One of 10 timeball stations around the world that was modeled on the Greenwich Observatory's timeball.
• Harbour Light, [1]. Listen to live music while enjoying drinks and a bite to eat. See website for schedule of performances.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Swim at Corsair Bay - A sandy beach at the bottom of a steep sided cove, one bay west from the port and town.
• Sail on Lyttelton Harbour

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Lyttelton Farmers Market is an authentic farmers market in the School grounds every saturday morning, 10am - 1pm. Not necessarily the cheapest food in town, but always fresh, local, and seasonal. Food available ranges from fruit & veggies to bread, coffee, home-baking, farm eggs, local honey and cheeses, preserves and relishes, etc etc. There is usually some live music and always a lively collection of marketgoers, great people-watching.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Freemans, 47 London Street, tel: +64 3 328 7517, [2]. A favorite among locals. Upscale but reasonably priced, Italian inspired. Owned and run by an award-winning London chef. Bookings essential.

• Volcano Cafe, 42 London Street, tel: +64 3 328 7077, [3]. Good food, fun atmosphere. Offers a range of cuisines - steak, enchiladas, curry, seafood, vegetarian.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Wunderbar, 19 London St, tel: +64 3 328 8818. Cafe/bar that hosts offbeat live performances such as poetry reading.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Tunnel Vision Backpackers, tel: +64 3 3287576, [4].

[edit] Get out

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