Review: International Antarctic Centre Christchurch New Zealand. Got some time to kill while waiting for a plane at Christchurch International Airport? You could consider going here, it is pricy, and I’m actually not sure it is worth the money. An adult is $65 NZD. You can easily spend a couple of hours looking at the various displays and the kids there seemed to be having lots of fun. There is a all terrain snowmobile ride that hurtles around the place, it is the same track driven tank like vehicle they use at the South Pole. There is a 4D movie, the 4th dimension being wind, some water spray, fake snow and rain… kids love it.
Essentially the centre is straight ahead as you exit the airport. It is about a 15 minute easy flat walk. As you get further from the airport it becomes increasingly obvious as it is a large building. There are also penguin footprints to guide you.
There is a little blue penguin pool, and you can see them swimming through glass both above and under the water, plus you can spy into their nests/burrows. There was an excellent audio visual show of just music and beautiful photography and video of Antarctica through the seasons.
Christchurch airport is also getting a much needed renovation. There is a lot more eating and shopping options. There is free wireless too and some excellent work stations to plug in and power up your devices.
Below is a photo I took just now, you can see my phone, coffee and keyboard, no iPad as it is taking the photo. I recommend the wireless keyboard if you are an intensive user as the popup cyber screen keyboards are a bit tiresome after a while, especially if you are a type by touch. Mine cost about $124 NZD, so not too bad for an Apple bit.
