The Antarctic Attraction
4.1 68 reviews
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The Antarctic Centre is a solid half day out, especially if the weather has turned on you. Christchurch can serve up some grey days and this place is genuinely well suited to them. There's a good range of things going on across the whole centre, enough to keep adults and kids both engaged, and most people seem to land around the 2-3 hour mark before they've seen the lot.
The Little Blue penguins are the highlight for most. Aim for the 10.30am or 3.30pm feeding times if you can. The Hägglunds ride gets consistently good marks too, particularly with kids. The storm room splits opinion a bit, a few people found it a little tame, but the -18 degree cold room is the real deal. The 4D theatre is worth doing.
One honest note on price: it comes up regularly in reviews. Most people feel it's worth it, but it's definitely in the "costs what it costs" category rather than a bargain. That said, promo code RANKERS gets you 10% off, which helps take the edge off a little.
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The Antarctic Attraction
The Antarctic Attraction is a fun, exciting and hands-on experience for the whole family. It includes the indoor Snow & Ice Experience, the Penguin Encounter - a viewing area featuring Little Blue penguins and an adventure ride in the Hagglund.
The Antarctic Attraction at the International Antarctic Centre, located next to Christchurch International Airport allows you to experience Antarctica in a fun, exciting all weather environment.
Experience real Antarctic conditions with Audiovisual and Touch Screen technology and feel 'genuine' Antarctic wind chill or slide down a snow slope in the Snow & Ice Experience.
The New Zealand Penguin Encounter is New Zealand's first combined indoor/outdoor penguin viewing area with capacity to hold up to 26 rescued Little Blue penguins in a Banks Peninsula natural themed environment that can be accessed on two levels.
While you're enjoying the attraction, take the chance to enjoy the great Antarctic Haggland Ride. The International Antarctic Centre, twice winner of the prestigious NZ Tourism Awards for Best Attraction also offers exclusive Antarctic Product in the Antarctic Shop and delicious meals in the Cafe and Bar.
Meeting rooms available. Spacious function area for themed events.
Set aside 2-3 hours for your visit and make time to have a meal in the Antarctic Café & Bar.
The attraction is open seven days a week from 9am.
Details
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Organisation |
The International Antarctic CentreCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Open daily from 9:00am to 4:30pm. The gift store and cafe operate daily from 9:00am to 5:30pm during summer opening hours. |
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Promo Code Save 10% |
Use discount code RANKERS with The Antarctic Attraction and save 10%. |
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Theme Parks
Zoos and Aquariums
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Reviews
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To much money for the experience.
VenesJ -
Very Informative.
Simon Chettleburgh -
Lots of interaction, kids enjoyed it.
Jeff Cerjan -
Family orientated.
Johnnie -
Is pricey but unique.
Kimothy
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Since going to Antarctica was not an option this is a real cool way to get at sense of the cold south.
There are many cool things to do for both adults and kids - seeing the penguins up close is cool and petting the huskies was a highlight for our daughter. It's very informative and highly recommendable - especially on a rainy day in Christchurch. We spent 3 hours here in the beginning of February.
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Nice place to spend a rainy day in Christchurch.
We hadn't thought about Antarctica a lot beforehand. This centre gives you quite a good idea and offers a lot of fun activities for the whole family.
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Very interesting museum with so many activities on the Antarctic.
People there are very kind.
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Go for it , spend about 3hrs to enjoy varies activities you can only experience in Antarctic here.
Don't miss the 10.30am or 3.30pm blue penguins feeding time where you can have close encounters with them, 4D extreme Theatre is a must too , very beautiful amazing !
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Fantastic show - drive on the ice tractor depicts just what it is like to drive on ice in Antarctica.
The 4D movie of the ship travelling to the South Pole is so realistic, you even get showered with spray coming over the bow of the ship. Seats move with the ships movement over the waves.
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Very detailed information provided.
Great activities such as the cooling room which got down to -18 degrees.
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Great attraction - three hours well spent - don't go for the short visit unless you really don't have time for the whole thing.
My only complaint - the snowstorm was a bit tame...
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Kind of a museum about the Antarctic and everything around.
Rides in a snow mobile and standing in an arctic storm - quite expensive!
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This was a really interesting place about Antarctica.
They even had a snow storm room where you can see what real cold is like. Definitely worth visiting. Christchurch is a beautiful city and we had a great night out at the bars in Riccarton
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Quite expensive but interesting.
Young children got quite bored. Hagland ride was included in the price.
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We were disappointed in this for the price we paid.
Haggling ride was good, and storm room not too bad, but the rest was ordinary.
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Not at all brown away with this experience.
The highlight was the Hagland ride.
We took a 6 year, who expected to see more Penguins. The storm was too noisy and scared her the 4D movie was not really suitable for under 10's, the screaming from all the kids was not a good experience.
It was OK, but the price didn't feel right. $160 for three of us ?
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A fun activity for the kids, but way overpriced and they haven't added or changed much since we were there about 5 years ago!
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Since going to Antarctica was not an option this is a real cool way to get at sense of the cold south.
There are many cool things to do for both adults and kids - seeing the penguins up close is cool and petting the huskies was a highlight for our daughter. It's very informative and highly recommendable - especially on a rainy day in Christchurch. We spent 3 hours here in the beginning of February.
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Nice place to spend a rainy day in Christchurch.
We hadn't thought about Antarctica a lot beforehand. This centre gives you quite a good idea and offers a lot of fun activities for the whole family.
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Very interesting museum with so many activities on the Antarctic.
People there are very kind.
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Go for it , spend about 3hrs to enjoy varies activities you can only experience in Antarctic here.
Don't miss the 10.30am or 3.30pm blue penguins feeding time where you can have close encounters with them, 4D extreme Theatre is a must too , very beautiful amazing !
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Great attraction - three hours well spent - don't go for the short visit unless you really don't have time for the whole thing.
My only complaint - the snowstorm was a bit tame...
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Fantastic show - drive on the ice tractor depicts just what it is like to drive on ice in Antarctica.
The 4D movie of the ship travelling to the South Pole is so realistic, you even get showered with spray coming over the bow of the ship. Seats move with the ships movement over the waves.
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Very detailed information provided.
Great activities such as the cooling room which got down to -18 degrees.
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Kind of a museum about the Antarctic and everything around.
Rides in a snow mobile and standing in an arctic storm - quite expensive!
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A fun activity for the kids, but way overpriced and they haven't added or changed much since we were there about 5 years ago!
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Not at all brown away with this experience.
The highlight was the Hagland ride.
We took a 6 year, who expected to see more Penguins. The storm was too noisy and scared her the 4D movie was not really suitable for under 10's, the screaming from all the kids was not a good experience.
It was OK, but the price didn't feel right. $160 for three of us ?
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We were disappointed in this for the price we paid.
Haggling ride was good, and storm room not too bad, but the rest was ordinary.
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Quite expensive but interesting.
Young children got quite bored. Hagland ride was included in the price.
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This was a really interesting place about Antarctica.
They even had a snow storm room where you can see what real cold is like. Definitely worth visiting. Christchurch is a beautiful city and we had a great night out at the bars in Riccarton
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Very good for a 1/2 day experience but would have been diffiult to fill a whole day.
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Is pricey but unique.
Was expecting more from the snow storm - am used to Wellington winds so 40km ph felt like a breeze. Penguins were cute. Kids loved the haggling ride, especially my 3 yo. The Luggage lockers were really handy.
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Great fun way to learn about the Antarctic.
You even get to experience a blizzard, well worth a visit.