 The Gondola high above Lyttelton Harbour. by Kakapo2 | Christchurch Gondola tips and photos posted by real travelers and Christchurch locals. • 28 Photos
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 Christchurch Gondola by knerten
Eat at the cafe.
Shop at the souvenir store.
Visit the mini-exhibition ("time-tunnel") on how the Banks Peninsula was formed.
Walk down the Bridle Path to Lyttelton and take the bus home if you don't want to take the Gondola down again.
Or, take the bus to Lyttelton, walk up the Bridle Path, and take the Gondola down.
Time needed: approximately 3-4 hours for an enjoyable trip. Leave a Comment Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it, you can't miss it. The Gondola runs from early morning until late (whatever that means). NZ$10 one way, NZ$17 return
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The Gondola high above
Lyttelton Harbour. by Kakapo2, 3 more photos
What you might not know is that a fantastic feature of the Gondola at the summit of Mt. Cavendish is the Time Tunnel and this is even free of charge. Not anymore! (See update here)
The first part of the Time Tunnel is an exhibition about the geological history of Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula, which were created by volcanic eruptions, and the settlement first by Maori and then the Europeans, and you learn about Maori mythology and life on board the first ships that landed at Lyttelton Harbour in 1850.
The second part is a film in a little movie theatre which once more takes you through those millions of years. This is very impressive because you can see animated pictures about the eruptions that shaped the landscape, and having just had the views outside you can imagine even better. You also see how Christchurch was developed and which ideas lay behind the construction of the Summit Road.
There are a fine dining restaurant and a cafeteria at the Gondola. I can recommend the first but not the latter, that one only for coffee, cake and chips... Do not expect much of the food.
In the souvenir shop you can get real bargains if you are interested in fleece vests and jackets of the Kiwi Stuff brand.
There are more ways than just take the bus or the car to the Gondola Station and then take the gondola ride up the hill:
1.) Walk up Bridle Path (to the right of the station), cross the fence behind the Pioneer Women's Memorial at the top, and carry on walking on the Crater Rim Walkway to the summit (40 to 50 mins).
2.) Drive to the Summit Road, park at Memorial, walk as just said (20 mins), or carry on to the carpark at the other side of the Gondola and walk up from there (easier and shorter). Address: The Gondola, Heathcote, Mt. CavendishPhone: (03) 384 0700Directions: Bus #28 to Lyttelton from the Bus Exchange, stop directly in front of the Gondola terminal. Then: ride the gondola (return tickets as Jan. 2007: adults $22, kids $10). See walking options above. No car access to the summit!Website: http://www.gondola.co.nz Other Contact: gondola@gondola.co.nz
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I think the Christchurch Gondola is a must. It takes you to the summit of the Port Hills , and from it you have wonderful 360degree views of the Alps, Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains. Have a look at the Heritage Time tunnel and enjoy the views from the cafe. Loved the views of the Harbour. The Gondola is enclosed, so you will not get wet or blown away. Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it, you can't miss it. The Gondola runs from early morning until late (whatever that means). NZ$10 one way, NZ$17 returnWebsite: www.gondola.co.nz
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 View downwards from
Gondola about 1/2 way up. by unaS,
3 more photos
Lovely walk around the extinct volcano.
Great views of Lyttelton harbour. Address: 10 Bridle Path RoadPhone: +64 3 384 0700Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it. Hours change according to the season of the year. Check the site below for exact hours.Website: http://www.gondola.co.nz/ Other Contact: email: gondola@xtra.co.nz
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 Looking down from halfway up by frankcanflyLeave a Comment Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it, you can't miss it. The Gondola runs from early morning until late (whatever that means). NZ$10 one way, NZ$18 returnWebsite: www.gondola.co.nz
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beautiful view
knackering ride down. Lots of uphill aswell as down! About 12 miles downhill Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it, you can't miss it. The Gondola runs from early morning until late (whatever that means). NZ$10 one way, NZ$17 return
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 by ShelleyKeating
You need to buy the Mtn bike ticket before you catch the gondola up, and you can select tracks of varying time and difficulty. If this isnt your cup of tea then catch the gondola back down again for another enjoyable ride. Leave a Comment Directions: Bus no 28 from the bus exchange will take you right to it, you can't miss it. The Gondola runs from early morning until late (whatever that means). NZ$10 one way, NZ$17 returnWebsite: http://www.gondola.co.nz/ Other Contact: http://www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz
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 Two Gondola cars crossing the
Summit Road. by Kakapo2
There have always been discussions about charging people for visiting the Time Tunnel. Initially everybody had to pay a charge. After massive protests the visit was free for many years. Now - after an update of the Time Tunnel which has not been to its best - they charge people who arrive on foot. They are mainly locals who take their guests on a walk to the Gondola summit for drinks or even a meal. As if walkers/hikers did not consume anything at the Gondola! We, for example, never leave without having had a coffee and a snack or cake.
I would not post the new policy as a tourist rip-off. First, $4 is not a real rip-off. Second, it would be more a locals rip-off, as they visit frequently, and bring their guests to the Gondola and even recommend a visit of the Time Tunnel. Many people do not even notice that there is a thing like the Time Tunnel up there.
To justify the charge of $4 for people who arrive on foot and not by using the gondola and cannot show their gondola tickets, they have updated the Time Tunnel to a silly adventure ride on even sillier train seats, and the super-silly girl at the entrance even wanted to make us believe that there has always been a charge, and when she saw that her lie was too transparent she said: "So we have changed our policy."
They move you through the exhibition on this train, and you cannot digest the information at your speed anymore. We met several very annoyed locals who complained about this rip-off and left swearing. And BTW You can still see the film on a TV screen in the souvenir shop. Of course, not as impressive as on a big screen.
Apart from that our friends had always enjoyed our comments, explaining where we had already been with them, and where we would still be going. This is not possible on separate two-seaters moving on the train tracks now. And of course, we would not pay $8 each time we take people to the Time Tunnel. Directions: Buses # 28 and 35 from the Bus Exchange (Colombo Street) and from Lyttelton have regular stops at the Gondola station. By car: Take the road towards Lyttelton and turn left to Heathcote and Gondola and follow the signs.
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 View of Lyttelton Harbour from
the Gondola by sunshinejoLeave a Comment Address: 10 Bridle Path Road, ChristchurchPhone: 64 3 384 0700Directions: Bus no 28 to Lytellton from the bus exchange in central Christchurch will take you right to it, you can't miss it.Website: www.gondola.co.nz
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