Lyttelton Travel Guide

 
by Kimi_the_Bear
 
  •   Lyttelton
    by Kimi_the_Bear
  • Leaving Lyttleton for Diamond Harbour
      Leaving Lyttleton for Diamond Harbour
    by Wojtek_R
  • View from the top
      View from the top
    by Wojtek_R
  • A sign of the good times... ;-)
      A sign of the good times... ;-)
    by Kakapo2
  • A volcanic rock formation along the walkway.
      A volcanic rock formation along the...
    by Kakapo2
 

Pro

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 Magic landscapes and views, some nice cafés 


Con

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 few 


In a nutshell

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 More than just a place to park your boat 

 

Explore Lyttelton

Things to Do  

The oldest house is back to its former glory

The oldest house is back to its former glory, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update 2010 - updated in January 2012I am very pleased to announce that the region's oldest non-prefabricated workers cottage - named Grubb Cottage - is back to its former glory. It had been fenced off for ages, with no work happening for four years. Finally this year... 

Update: Timeball Station Reopened after Vandalism

Update: Timeball Station Reopened after Vandalism, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update on 1 May 2007 Just as renovation works were going to be finished the Timeball Station has been hit by vandals in mid April. Stone walls in the so called Wedding Garden were dismantled, an at least 60 year old cabbage tree was broken in half and a sign stolen from the... 

Restaurants  

Satchmo's has become Roots: A lost treasure

Satchmo's has become Roots: A lost treasure, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update April 2011/November 2012Satchmo's has survived the February earthquake but being located in a demolition zone, it has not been possible to re-open this restaurant yet.November 2012The place has reopened - but Satchmo's has gone. What a shame! A true... 

Fisherman's Wharf: The best restaurant view of Lyttelton

Fisherman's Wharf: The best restaurant view of Lyttelton, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update 27 April 2011In the meantime the place that once was the Indian Harbour restaurant has become a "Fish Bar" named Fisherman's Wharf. It opened two or three days after the earthquake on 22 February and, for some weeks, was the only open place in Lyttelton. As said... 

Governors Bay Hotel: The only Pub in Town is a Place to Stay

Governors Bay Hotel: The only Pub in Town is a Place to Stay, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update 27 April 2011It was great to see that the hotel/restaurant did not suffer any structural damage in the February earthquake and has remained open. The food is as good as ever. Just lately I had a wonderful pasta of the day, and my co-eaters were happy with... 

The Coffee Company: Strong Coffee and strong Words...

The Coffee Company: Strong Coffee and strong Words..., Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update April 2011Renovated in such a big effort, this place has also been hit hard in the February earthquake. The will exists to rebuild.Finally I have made it to one of the latest additions to the Lyttelton café scene, right beside the Wunderbar. Two young guys... 

The Lyttelton Times Café: Great Coffees, Culture and History

The Lyttelton Times Café: Great Coffees, Culture and History, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update April 2011Sorry to say - but the Lyttelton Times Café has been badly damaged in the earthquake on 22 February. It is surrounded by fallen bricks and fenced off. Looks like one of the places that will be demolished soon. The damaged buildings in London... 

Fish'n'Chips Shops Everywhere: Do Lytteltonians Eat Nothing Else?

Fish'n'Chips Shops Everywhere: Do Lytteltonians Eat Nothing Else?, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update April 2011The only place in Lyttelton where you can get fish'n'chips at the moment is the newish Fish'n'Chips Bar in the premises of what was formerly known as the Indian Harbour restaurant. They had been working on the renovation for quite a while, were... 

London Street: Third attempt with three new owners

London Street: Third attempt with three new owners, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update January 2011The steak house which had opened in the premises of the fine London Street restaurant has closed down quite a while ago. The place has now reopened with three young new owners. The menu is not extensive but offers something for everyone, so surely worth a... 

She Café and Restaurant, Governors Bay: Decadent Treats and Magic Harbour Views

She Café and Restaurant, Governors Bay: Decadent Treats and Magic Harbour Views, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update April 2011This place is fully operational.The only thing that turned me off for a long time was the new name of the formerly Governors Bay Café: She - the She Café and Restaurant. To me it sounds like fight of the genders, males excluded, and the brochures... 

The Volcano Café and Lava Bar: A Lyttelton Institution with Mexican Flair

The Volcano Café and Lava Bar: A Lyttelton Institution with Mexican Flair, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Earthquake update 27 April 2011This much loved place and the Lava Bar have been demolished last week. Something new - and never the same again - will spring up at some point but we have to be patient.The Volcano Café is no café at all but a restaurant, and the menu is a very... 

Harbour Master Café & Fuze Restaurant closed down: Touch of History in a beautiful old Building

Harbour Master Café & Fuze Restaurant closed down: Touch of History in a beautiful old Building, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update 18 May 2009This was a tip about the Harbour Master Café. I have just seen - yessss, it was a very updating walk today... ;-))) - that this place has become the Fuze Restaurant and Café. Until I can give you a review on the food (if I can ever afford it...), I just... 

Nightlife  

Wunderbar: A Place of Oddities

Wunderbar: A Place of Oddities, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update November 2012Oh dear, I have just seen that I have not earthquake-updated my Wunderbar review! So let me tell you that the place has less oddities than under the previous owner but still great live music events - and it re-opened for business about half a year ago. I... 

Wunderbar: Eclectic Nightspot

Wunderbar: Eclectic Nightspot, Lyttelton

 swissballs Says:  The Wunderbar is one of the most unique (odd) places you can go to in NZ. From the dolls head collection to the assortment of board games that you can use, this place is a great night out. The back room is like something from a B grade Sci Fi movie and the regulars are just... 

Transportation  

#28 and #35 buses to Lyttelton

#28 and #35 buses to Lyttelton, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  -Earthquake update June 2011Since the February earthquake only the #28 bus is operating at a limited schedule, meaning every 30 minutes. It leaves at .20 and .50 past the hour.Also the route has changed as Christchurch's CBD is cordoned off. Terminal in Christchurch now is... 

Local Customs  

The Daily Fire Alarm

The Daily Fire Alarm, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  In former times the Timeball Station informed the ships in the harbour about the exact hour with a big bang every day. The sound we can now hear nearly every day are the roaring horns of the fire brigade, following the deafening alarm.The number of alarms is absolutely... 

Summer Street Party in February

Summer Street Party in February, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  On a Sunday in summer we have the traditional Lyttelton Summer Street Party. This year (2009) it took place on Sunday, 22 February (10am-6pm).It is just an occasion to hang out and sample from the food stalls, listen to live music and have a look at arts and... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Governors Bay (4): Ye Old Vicarage/St. Cuthbert’s

Governors Bay (4): Ye Old Vicarage/St. Cuthbert’s, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Update 18 Oct 2010This lovely church has suffered extensive damage in the September 4 earthquake that rattled the region and the following aftershocks. The church has been secured with a special supporting structure bracing the roof. A precious stained glass window has been... 

Cass Bay - Swimming, Kayaking,

Cass Bay - Swimming, Kayaking,, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  Located about 3 km from the Lyttelton Road Tunnel, this is another nice bay with a swimming beach with changing and toilet facilities. It is wider than the bay and beach at Corsair Bay. As many little boats are sitting in the harbour the view, coming from Corsair Bay, is... 

Favorites  

The Daily Bread Crisis in a Bakery without Bread

The Daily Bread Crisis in a Bakery without Bread, Lyttelton

 Kakapo2 Says:  My comments and tips about Lyttelton may seem a little too enthusiastic to you, and now I have finally come to the point telling you what I absolutely hate about this place - apart from my neighbours with the cats and the dogs ;-)I was so close to recommend having a coffee... 

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Map of Lyttelton