Things to do in Lyttelton
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Black Cat
Black Cat operates two-hour Christchurch Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour, where you may see rare Hector’s dolphins, blue penguins and various seabirds. A free shuttle bus for participants leaves Cathedral Sq in Christchurch at 12.50pm. Black Cat also shuttles across to nearby Quail Island, and to pretty Diamond Harbour (adult/child $10/5; 23 times daily).
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Timeball Station
The neo-gothic Timeball Station, built in 1876, was where (for 58 years) a huge time ball was hoisted on a mast and then dropped at exactly 1pm, Greenwich Mean Time, allowing ships in the harbour to set their clocks and thereby accurately calculate longitude. The time ball is still dropped at 1pm on days when the station is open. Access requires a short, steep climb.
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Monster Yakitori
Classic cocktails and boutique Kiwi beers and wines provide the liquid sustenance for an extended bout of grazing and drinking at this quirky anime-themed yakitori bar. All the skewered goodies are grilled as you wait; one of the favourites here is the ebi bacon – prawns wrapped in bacon with plum wasabi. DJs kick in most Saturday nights from 10pm.
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Governor’s Bay Hotel
The Governor’s Bay Hotel serves tasty burgers, fish and chips, and more innovative meals of char-grilled tuna or curry prawn laksa. Enjoy a beer on the cool veranda dotted with memoirs of the hotel’s 140 years of history. Upstairs there is accommodation in simple but sunny rooms with shared bathrooms (doubles $100).
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Harbour Light
This wonderful old theatre (built in 1916) straddles old and new Lyttelton with regular live gigs showcasing jazz, Celtic and world music. Check the website for what’s on; there’s normally gigs around three nights a week. On show nights, drinks and food are served.
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Wunderbar
Wunderbar is a top spot to see NZ’s more interesting acts, from raucous rock to late-night/early-morning dub. The funky decor alone is worth a trip to Lyttelton. Look for the sign on London St that says ‘Sorry, nice people only’ and head down the steps. Be nice.
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Lyttelton Roasting Company
The best coffee in town – and maybe in all of Canterbury – is roasted daily at this bohemian spot with incredibly high ceilings and an eclectic breakfast and lunch menu. Try the Armenian yoghurt cake as you linger for the regular Saturday afternoon live music.
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Ground
Check out Ground at ground zero for the best of Kiwi food, wine and beer. For a quick bite there’s mega-sandwiches ($6.50) and an excellent brunch menu ($7 to $18). If you’re staying the night in Lyttelton, it also does gourmet takeaway meals.
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Lyttelton Museum
This Museum has interesting maritime exhibits such as wreck-recovered artefacts and ship models, plus Lyttelton memorabilia including a 19th-century pipe organ and an Antarctic gallery (both Scott and Shackleton used the port as a base).
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She Chocolat
She Chocolat serves excellent brunches and lunches with an organic and new-age tinge. After kumara (sweet potato) oatcakes, make room for locally made Belgian chocolate and take in the harbour views.
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Lyttelton Lounge
Dub reggae, freshly baked muffins and supercharged coffee feature at this atmospheric wood-lined haven. Linger for a while before looking for treasures at the vintage and secondhand shops just down the hill.
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Volcano Cafe
The vaguely Mexican but exceedingly friendly Volcano is a festive, retro-style cafe serving seafood risotto, enchiladas and good curries and pastas. The attached Lava Bar has a cheaper bar menu.
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Farmers Market
Lyttelton’s growing rep as a foodie destination is enhanced by the Saturday farmers market held in a local school on Oxford St.
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