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Christchurch Gondola, Christchurch
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Christchurch Gondola, Christchurch

The Gondola high above Lyttelton Harbour. - Christchurch
The Gondola high above Lyttelton Harbour.
by Kakapo2
Christchurch Gondola tips and photos posted by real travelers and Christchurch locals.
• 28 Photos
• 16 Reviews

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Christchurch Gondola: Christchurch Gondola - for a stunning view!!
  • Tip Rating:
  • knerten
  • By knerten on July 21, 2004
  • Christchurch Page by knerten
  • Christchurch Gondola - Christchurch
    Christchurch Gondola
    by knerten
    Enjoy a fantastic 360 degree view of Christchurch, the Alps, Lyttelton Harbour and the Port Hills.
    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.

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  • 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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    Christchurch Gondola: Great View at the Gondola, Insight at Time Tunnel
  • Tip Rating:
  • Kakapo2
  • Updated By Kakapo2 on November 18, 2007
  • Christchurch Page by Kakapo2
  • The Gondola high above Lyttelton Harbour. - Christchurch
    The Gondola high above
    Lyttelton Harbour.
    by Kakapo2, 3 more photos
    To tell you that you will have fantastic views from the Gondola on a clear day, over Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, the Kaikouras and the Southern Alps, would be like carrying coal to Newcastle.

    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. Cavendish
  • Phone: (03) 384 0700
  • Directions: 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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    Christchurch Gondola: CHRISTCHURCH GONDOLA
  • Tip Rating:
  • balhannah
  • By balhannah on September 12, 2008
  • Christchurch Page by balhannah
  • Lyttelton Harbour - Christchurch
    Lyttelton Harbour
    by balhannah, 1 more photos
    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 return
  • Website: www.gondola.co.nz
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    Christchurch Gondola: High and exciting
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  • unaS
  • By unaS on August 18, 2008
  • Christchurch Page by unaS
  • View downwards from Gondola about 1/2 way up. - Christchurch
    View downwards from
    Gondola about 1/2 way up.
    by unaS,
    3 more photos
    Take the Gondola up to the top of the Port Hills.

    Lovely walk around the extinct volcano.
    Great views of Lyttelton harbour.

  • Address: 10 Bridle Path Road
  • Phone: +64 3 384 0700
  • Directions: 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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    Christchurch Gondola: Christchurch Gondola
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  • frankcanfly
  • By frankcanfly on December 18, 2004
  • Christchurch Page by frankcanfly
  • Looking down from halfway up - Christchurch
    Looking down from halfway up
    by frankcanfly
    Another nice diversion from the City. You can ride your individual gondola up to the summit for some great views of Christchurch, The Southern Alps and the Banks Peninsula.

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  • 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 return
  • Website: www.gondola.co.nz
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    Christchurch Gondola: Gondola and mountain bike down
    Kaytie
  • By Kaytie on May 1, 2006
  • Christchurch Page by Kaytie
  • 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
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Christchurch Gondola: Stunning views, and mountain biking!
    ShelleyKeating
  • Updated By ShelleyKeating on September 20, 2006
  • Christchurch Page by ShelleyKeating
  • Christchurch Gondola - Christchurch
    by ShelleyKeating
    A great thing to do on a stunning Christchurch sunny day is to catch the Christchurch gondola(formerly known as the Mt Cavendish Gondola) to the top of Mt Cavendish, and enjoy a beautiful view of the city, Littleton harbour, the coastline, the Canterbury plains and surrounding hills. Then hire a mountain bike to ride on one of the tracks down to the bottom. NZ mountain biking is excellent.

    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.

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  • 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$17 return
  • Website: http://www.gondola.co.nz/
  • Other Contact: http://www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz
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    Christchurch Gondola: Update Time Tunnel at the Gondola summit
    Kakapo2
  • By Kakapo2 on November 18, 2007
  • Christchurch Page by Kakapo2
  • Two Gondola cars crossing the Summit Road. - Christchurch
    Two Gondola cars crossing the
    Summit Road.
    by Kakapo2
    Additional information about the update of the Time Tunnel and the resulting charge of NZ$ 4 for people who arrive on foot:

    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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    Christchurch Gondola: Go up the Gondola
    sunshinejo
  • By sunshinejo on August 20, 2005
  • Christchurch Page by sunshinejo
  • View of Lyttelton Harbour from the Gondola - Christchurch
    View of Lyttelton Harbour from
    the Gondola
    by sunshinejo
    Christchurch's Gondola sits on top of Mt Cavendish, to the southeast of the city. On a clear days it offers fantastic views over Christchurch, Lyttelton Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and inland towards the Southern Alps. We decided to take a trip up at sunset on our first evening in NZ. We got up there about an hour before dark, which gave us time to do a short walk around the top of the area, and allowed us to take in the stunning views. Although the cafe was shutting as we arrived there's also a restaurant, should you wish to eat while enjoying the sunset. It's a bit pricey there though, so we didn't bother with this. There's also a little museum - the Heritage Time Tunnel, which describes the history of the area, from how it was formed to the arrival of the Maoris and later the Europeans. We found this really interesting and thought it was very well presented. Return tickets cost $18 for adults and $8 for children aged 5-15 and the Gondola runs daily from 10am - 9pm.

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  • Address: 10 Bridle Path Road, Christchurch
  • Phone: 64 3 384 0700
  • Directions: 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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    Christchurch Gondola: Getting a great view
  • Updated By littlemissneve on June 24, 2005
  • Christchurch Page by littlemissneve
  • Christchurch Gondola - Christchurch
    by littlemissneve
    Few ways to get to the gandola
    Either get the normal bus which goes up around the site where it starts so you can't miss the stop or pay and get one of the tourist buses that takes you around all around the tourist sites. That bus isn't bad as you get a comentary of the area as you go

    The way up is a bit unnerving for people not comfortable with heights as the carriage is a wee bit shakey and it stops every now and then.

    The view when you get to the top is beautiful. I would advise you to go just as it is getting dark so you can see Christchurch as night.

    There is a wee museum at the top whcih takes you through the Maori legend of how the mountains came to be and the history of the people who emigrated

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 10 Bridle Path Rd
  • 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
  • Website: http://www.gondola.co.nz/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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