Lyttelton Harbour is a beautiful scenic harbour located right beside the city of Christchurch. It offers the visitor spectacular scenery, a fascinating Maori and European history and an abundance of recreational opportunities.

Lyttelton Harbour is the northern of two sea inlets on Banks Peninsula, the one prominent feature on the coast of Canterbury, New Zealand. Banks Peninsula was once a volcanic island and Lyttelton Harbour the sea-filled crater of a volcano that erupted 11 million years ago.

Lyttelton Harbour, Te Whaka or Te Whaka-raupo (the harbour of the bullrush reeds) has been home for the Maori for about 1000 years. Banks Peninsula was first sighted by Europeans on 16 February 1770 from the "Endeavour" during James Cook's first voyage to New Zealand. The harbour was originally called Port Cooper.

The Harbour runs westwards for eight miles from between two imposing headlands, Godley Head on the northern side of the harbour and Adderley Head on the southern side. At the entrance, Lyttelton Harbour is almost a mile and a quarter and beyond the township of Lyttelton, it opens out into three wide and shallow bays.

In the middle of the Harbour lie three fascinating islands - Quail, Ripapa and King Billy. During your trip with us, you will get an opportunity to see the many sights of the Lyttelton Harbour, we are sure you will love it.