International Antarctic Centre

Amazing exhibitions and 4D showcase. You can see cute little penguins and huskies there. The snow storm simulation is fascinating. If you’re going in group tour and have a staff guide that’d be much more awesome. I personally think they can add more stuff inside to make the entire experience more fruitful.

It was great to visit the International Antarctic Centre again after 29 years! There were some standout experiences—like the penguin feeding and the chance to step inside a mock aircraft with an old-school video playing inside. Honestly, it’s probably the same video I watched 29 years ago—which gave me a good laugh! The storm room was fun, with wind chill temperatures dropping to -25°C. That said, there were definitely some underwhelming aspects. The huskies looked completely bored out of their minds, which was quite sad to see. The whole place feels like it’s trying to appeal to everyone—kids, teens, adults, international tourists—but doesn’t quite hit the mark for any particular group. I would never pay full price for this experience. Thankfully, we booked tickets through BookMe, which made it considerably cheaper than purchasing on the day. A few things to note for families: the layout isn’t stroller-friendly and can feel crammed at times. It’s not the easiest to navigate, especially during busier periods. One recommendation I’d make is to create a designated breastfeeding area. When we asked about family-friendly spaces, we were told to try the private function area upstairs, but mixed communication led to staff questioning our presence there, which was awkward. Also, the baby change room sign says it’s for “disabled people or females with a baby,” which really needs updating for inclusivity. If you want to soak up the full experience—meaning read every single word on the walls and take in all the exhibits—you’ll want to allow 2–3 hours. I’d recommend arriving early. But for families or casual visitors, you might get through it much faster. If I’m ever going to return, they’d need to improve the layout, be more inclusive, and cater more clearly to different demographics. If you want children to come and connect with the experience, offer more interactives, find ways to truly engage them, and bring some passion into the storytelling—help them become guardians of tomorrow. The one big takeaway from today is that Christchurch has a lot of fun and reasonably priced activities. This could be one of them, with just a little more care.

Quite a costly place to visit and genuinely not worth the money you pay. There's not a whole lot on offer and nothing has changed since I last visited 20yrs ago as a kid. The snow room is neat and staff are informative. Not many penguins were out and about doing anything which can happen. Where the Huskies hang out for lunch or in general is quite pathetic and you feel nothing but sorry for them. The Haaglund ride which costs a little extra is ok and a bumpy ride trying to experience what Antarctica may be like. Overall just a pretty disappointing place and in the price paid, very little to show it's worth going to.

A very dated experience. Seems like they have not moved on with the times. The viewing glasses in the penguin display needed cleaning. It was sad to see the place is not maintained when the ticket is such an exorbitant price. The husky zone had no huskies. The chill room was good, and the storm with fans tested us, but it needs to offer a lot more if it needs to stay relevant. If you are a tourist and have already seen the penguins safely, skip this attraction.

The museum: very informative The snow dog speaker: very friendly and answered many, many questions The simulator: great to see what it would be like in the Antarctic but would be nice if there was a breeze too The 4D experience: a little underwhelming but would be great for children The Haaglund ride: really fun 10 minutes Penguins!!

Very educational and informative place. I recommend this to people who would like to visit Antartica. Penguins are not that many to see but it's not that bad. Seen the penguins swim and swim. The staff are also very friendly and approachable.

We enjoyed the experience and learned about the work NZ is doing in the Antarctic. Enjoyed the storm room and the ride on the Hagglund. Coffee in the cafe was nice and staff were very helpful and pleasant. Definitely worth a visit.

International Antarctic centre offers alot of things for one to learn it had a great source of knowledge and my main attraction was of course like every other was Penguin and Husky encounter,well i was amazed to watch rescued penquins and how crew takes care of the rescued penguins and the way they gave info about them and they were facinated to serve them felt good as well as husky owner was quiet good at story telling and dogs were really good mannered lastly we had adventure activity with Russian truck it was funny too also we experience 3d movie of antartic story abiut people and creatures… Just with all of what I experienced i felt the ticket price bit expensive

Like others, i found this place so interesting and worth my time as well as my money. Because it is within walking distance of the small Christchurch airport, I walked over after landing. they will secure your luggage for free at the center. The hagglund ride was more fun than i expected; wish it could have lasted longer and that i could have taken better/more photos, but i was hanging on tightly! the penguins were, of course, cute, but you may have to be patient to catch them out of their homes where they can't be seen. patience was well-rewarded. this is probably the closest i'll ever get to the antarctic; am so glad i spent several hours here. ate lunch, here, too; good food.

Want to explore Antarctica without actually stepping foot on the continent? Visit the International Antarctic Centre to get an overview of what happens on the frozen land. So easy to get to the International Antarctic Centre with our guide Scotty. Booked a great tour of Christchurch and the International Antarctic Centre from the Shore Excursions Group. Adorable Little Blue Fairy Penguins. Hagglund Field Trip. A blizzard in the Storm Dome....and the cutest huskies! Started with a very bumpy ride on the Hagglund Field Trip. Sit back, buckle up and hold on. Get an idea of what scientists experience on the all terrain amphibious vehicles designed to explore the icy crevasses on Antarctica. Up, down, over and through. The little blue fairy penguins are so cute! Since they usually are out hunting fish during the day, they are hard to find in the wild until they come back in a parade at night. So nice to be able to see the family of tiny penguins that are native to New Zealand who have been rescued due to physical ailments or injuries. Adorable! Brrrrrrrrr..... Feel the chill of an Antarctic Storm up close and personal. Bundle up in a long coat, put on shoe covers and enter the Storm Dome. Every hour, an Antarctic Storm drops the temperature from minus 8 degrees Celsius to minus 18. Amazed at how well the coats provided keep you comfortable. But still, so cold! Explore Antarctica in the galleries. Watch the 4D movie. The 360 gallery had such beautiful images of the continent, penguins and whales. Loved learning about the research that happens with international cooperation and how the scientists prepare to live in Antarctica. Huskies!! Who can resist playing with huskies? So cute and so friendly. My parents especially loved this part. A great way to end the day at the International Antarctic Centre. Support the center with a purchase in the gift shop. They had a sale on two tea towels for $2 NZD. We also grabbed some magnets and beanies for friends and family back home. Thanks also to yelper Andrea who highly recommended this tour.

We got here by 10 when they opened & paid $59 admission that's reduced for children, students, seniors and families. Feeding penguins is at 10:30. There is a large café and gift shop. There were many children with their families enjoying the adventure. We spent 2 hours here but could have entertained ourselves for the day. We started with a video of Antarctica and then we went into a snow storm where it was a nice summer day 15°. We went into an igloo & rode snowmobiles wearing coats & boots. From there we watched the fairy penguins getting fed. We went on a flight simulator to Antarctica & we drove in simulated vehicles on Antarctica. We went into the husky zone with two sweet dogs to pet & post pictures with. We ended with a bumpy fun ride on a Hagglund vehicle. Our photos are perfect & available on line with a gold card that we were given. The museum was very interactive and hands on; just fascinating!

Great place to visit for all ages. Walking distance from the airport so if you have a long enough layover, this is a good place to kill time. Admission prices are fair as long as you plan to see everything they have to offer. Plan to spend around 2-3 hours here to see/experience all of the exhibits. The hagglund rides are included with the admission ticket. There are a lot of interactive exhibits here which I love, such as real live huskies you can pet, a "4D" film, experiencing an Antarctic summer storm, etc. I probably wouldn't have gone if it was just a bunch of reading and photos on walls. There is one section that is heavy on reading, and it would've been nicer to have them more spaced out or better incorporated into the interactive portions. Great as a one-time visit type of place, but probably wouldn't go again.

Honestly, I give this place one star but there are huskies so it gets two more. It's essentially like a tiny Disneyland for Antarctica stuff. I can't see that it's particularly educational, but it is very experiential. The Haaglund ride outside is incredibly bumpy and it is no joke. If you have health issues or injury to your body, this will only make it worse. I am a healthy person and I did not enjoy it at all as it was a violent, bumpy experience. Inside, we did the 4D movie, which was kind of weird because the motion didn't necessarily match the scene, but is better described as a jolt every so often with water thrown in your face. Not necessarily my cup of tea. We also did the snowstorm experience which was really effing ridiculous. It was just really effing cold. Really really cold. It is exactly what I imagined Antarctica to be like - very cold very windy and very dark. I made my way to the exit as there was no need for me to continue to experience that. Honestly this whole thing kind of sucked, but there were a bunch of huskies outside. Even as crummy as I thought the whole experience was, the 10 minutes outside with the dogs made this a five-star experience LOL. The goodest boys. 13/10. Would pet again. The gift shop was my second favorite part...This place might be good for the kids but for adults I think it's a total waste of time. Oh and there are penguins too.

This place was AWESOME!!! Educational: We had no idea that New Zealand was a departure point for Antarctica. There were informative displays about scientific and conservation expeditions to Antarctica. Polar Room: This was a chilled room (about 20 degrees F) with snow and ice. Every hour an antarctic blizzard/storm blows through with 40km/h winds and drops the temperature to -30 degrees F. FUN!!! They provide winter gear (gloves, jackets, etc.) for the experience. And they give you ample warning when the blizzard/storm is coming (there's a giant countdown clock). Penguin display (Little Blue Penguins). Watch them swim, eat and play. Lots of fun to watch. Hagglund ride. Cool, amphibious, all-terrain vehicle used in the Antarctic. We didn't do this while we were there, but should we ever go back, we're doing it for sure.

This was pricey but thoroughly enjoyable! It was really interesting to learn about Antarctic expeditions, especially with the headquarters of the expeditions located in buildings all around the museum. The museum is full of information and interactive exhibits. The Hagglund ride was excellent and surprising! The winter storm was entertaining. The penguins were fun to watch, and the feeder was friendly and full of information. I did think 4D movie was a bit much for me, but I don't usually like these. I would definitely recommend the visit!

The International Antarctic Centre is a great place to checkout and spend 2-3hours prior to leaving Christchurch. It's just a 5/10 minute walk from the Christchurch Airport and even has a cute cafe you can eat at rather than eating pricey food at the airport. Cons: Felt it was overpriced since it was $52, especially compared to a much cheaper and full day spent at the Orana Wildlife Park the day before. Next time if I go visit the Antarctic Centre , will definitely opt out of the 4D experience- it reminded me of a cheesy theme park ride gone-wrong with forced water being occasionally sprayed at your face. I remember seeing people trying to dodge the water spray during the movie because it would awkwardly hit you in the face and feel gross... Pros: The Polar Room was cute, it is a chilled room that has an antarctic blizzard/storm simulation that blows 40km/hr wind with temperature drops down to -30F. There's a countdown leading up to the storm simulation. Good photo opportunity before or after the storm simulation since they give you booties and a parka to wear for the blizzard simulation. Kids will have fun checking out the igloo. The two main highlights for me was the Penguin feeding and Hagglund ride. Penguin-feeding: Diane/Diana (I'm sorry I couldn't quite catch your name- I was having a hard time hearing with the kids all excited about penguins) did a fantastic job teaching us about the penguins while making it entertaining. She fed penguins both in the water and on-land to give everyone a different perspective. She was very knowledgeable and was engaging in both feeding the penguins and for the Q&A session! Hagglund Ride: COOL. It's an all-terrain vehicle used in the Antarctic and they take you on a quick demo ride through their outdoor obstacle course. The course kinda reminded me of a monster-truck/motocross course. It was a lot of fun and the driver did a great job keeping teaching us about the vehicle while adding in her funny commentary. If I do go back to the Antarctic Centre, will go on the Hagglund again! Overall, the center was good, but I felt it was overpriced since it was $45 for me at the student price/ $59 for adults. But that said, if you have 2-3 hours to kill before leaving Christchurch Airport and you have kids, I'd recommend checking out the Antarctic Center.

Must visit when you come to Christchurch, and have done so on a couple of occasions. The front admissions staff are very helpful & try and assist you with timing of viewing certain attractions so you can see as much as possible. I'm not a big person when it comes to museums and knowledge based attractions, so I normally get through these sorts of places fairly quickly. Visiting the penguin exhibition is very informative and you have to admit, they are cute & extremely cheeky. The 4D movie, along with the snow storm & ride out the back is pretty cool. But now comes the most important: the must do here is a backstage pass to the penguins. You get to learn much more about the penguins, the way they look after them at this centre and get to see them REAL up close. Take my advice and pay the extra. You might be better off to book this in advance, especially around peak times and weekend visits.

Loved it! Cheesy parts- yes, school kids loud and obnoxious-barely supervised but still loved it.

Get a coupon before you come. 2 for 1 may make it a little more realistically priced for the adventure. It was interesting and the ride in the hagglund was fun, but it is pricey.

Nice place to hang out with kids. The ride on the Antarctic truck was awesome. The recreation of the snow storm was great. Enjoyed the three hours here

This place is a real treat. Admission is fair, and the exhibits are great for people of all ages. My favourite exhibits were the Antarctic storm simulator, which included an ice slide to play on...and the ride in the hagglund ride, which takes place just outside the centre on a track. The museum is also at the site(s) of the Kiwi and U.S. Antarctic prep bases, so you can do a bit of wandering around the outside of these buildings and see some scientists walk around. It's a fun visit to this museum, and I h highly recommend it.

The coolest museum in the world. Literally. Located within a working Antarctic campus. This was a fun 2-hour visit. The polar room simulates Antarctic weather. Stuff yourself in the proffered parka and gloves and step into what is essentially a giant souped up freezer. Try the ice slide but climb the ice steps with care. I slipped trying to sit down at the top of the slide. Arms and legs askew, I slid before I was quite ready and my slide didn't earn me any style points. For less cold hardy guests, the polar room has a large picture window. This enables people-watching in comfort and the ability to laugh at your hapless friends floundering in the "blizzard." The Hagglund, all-terrain amphibious vehicle, reminded me of a cross between a tank (the caterpillar treads) and a hummer (the boxy cab with lots of serious knobs and dials). The ride was fun but on the day we visited, there was more mud than snow on the obstacle course. The track was like a monster truck or motocross course with hilly mounds of earth. Make sure to get to the meeting point and check in early for your ride. Rides are timed and your Hagglund may depart without you.

My family had a wonderful Antarctic experience here. We donned the ski jackets provided and felt the cold and wind that the centre simulated for the visitors. Interesting facts and information on Antarctica and expeditions can be found here as well as live specimens of the wildlife living near the South Pole (e.g. dogs, penguins). Would recommend this place to anyone visiting Christchurch.

We had a great time at this place. This place is very well thought out and designed. There's several fun experiences here such as the penguin feeding, the 4D show, the antarctic storm simulation etc. We enjoyed our half-day visit to the antarctic centre and would recommend it to people who are visiting the Christchurch area.

Other than the Hagglund ride and the blue penguins, the IAC was wholly disappointing. Granted, my expectations were quite high since I had previously been blown away by the Canterbury Museum's Antarctic exhibit and figured that an institution specifically dedicated to the explorations of the icy continent would surpass it. I was wrong. The IAC is definitely kid-friendly and tailored to grade school field trips, meaning it is light on the history/info and focused more on the "wow" factor. The "ice storm" was pretty silly -- yes, you are asked to don an overcoat and overshoes and enter the equivalent of a large refrigerator, but it's not like the experience was worth the trip or entry fee. The 4-D Antarctic cruise movie was like a bad DisneyWorld ride from the late 1990's with cheesy water spray special effects that seemed forced. For tourists looking at guidebooks and trying to get "the most" out of a day or two in Christchurch, this is one attraction that can be skipped unless you have kids under 10 that need a distraction.

Another one I've neglecting reviewing for awhile! This is a must stop when you visit Christchurch. Seriously, you have no excuse as its right next to the airport! Everything you could ever want to learn about Antarctica and Christchurch's role in the expeditions there in the past and today. You realize how far south you and close you are to Antarctica when in Christchurch as well. Super educational, but also fun. There's live penguins to see and even a room where you can put on parkas and experience the freezing temperatures you would encounter. A bit pricey, but worth the money and time. Great for kids and grown ups! I've been several times over the years.

Good for kids and travellers looking to kill time. There's not a huge amount to The Antarctic Centre and the content certainly never changes but it's great to take kids and an awesome place to check out if you're just visiting Christchurch. The penguins are cool and the haglund ride isn't too bad. It's a little overpriced but if it makes the kids smile it can't be all that bad!