Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets

The International Antarctic Centre is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm, every day throughout the year. It is located directly across from Christchurch International Airport. Contact the centre to confirm hours during public holidays or for any seasonal variations.

The centre is at 38 Orchard Road, Christchurch, directly opposite the main terminal of Christchurch International Airport, approximately a 5-minute walk from the airport. It is 15 minutes by car from central Christchurch. Free parking is available on site. Public buses from the airport and the city centre stop directly outside.

The Storm Experience is a sealed chamber that simulates summertime Antarctic weather conditions. The temperature inside drops to minus 8 degrees Celsius and the wind and snow simulate a genuine Antarctic storm. Thermal gear is provided to all visitors. The experience lasts several minutes and runs throughout the day.

The Hagglund is an all-terrain tracked vehicle used for field operations in Antarctica, capable of crossing broken ice, crevasse fields and rough terrain. At the International Antarctic Centre, visitors ride in an actual Hagglund over an off-road course for approximately 20 minutes. The Hagglund ride is included in the standard admission ticket.

Little Blue Penguins, also called kororā, are the world's smallest penguin species, standing approximately 25 to 30 cm tall. The Penguin Rescue area at the International Antarctic Centre cares for injured and recovering Little Blue Penguins. Visitors can observe the penguins in their enclosure and watch feeding sessions at scheduled times.

Yes. The Antarctic Centre is one of Christchurch's most popular family attractions. The Storm Experience, Hagglund ride and penguins engage children directly. The scale of the experiences is appropriate for most ages, though parents should supervise young children in the Storm Experience and be aware of the cold temperatures involved.

Since December 2024, the International Antarctic Centre has been owned and operated by Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, the family-run wildlife park also in Christchurch. The centre was previously operated by RealNZ and was originally developed by Christchurch International Airport to showcase the city's Antarctic research connections.

Yes. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is approximately 2 kilometres from the International Antarctic Centre. Both are now under the same ownership and each requires a separate ticket. Visiting both on the same day is practical, particularly if you arrive at the Antarctic Centre when it opens at 9 am and proceed to Willowbank after midday.