ANTARCTIC GUIDED TOUR

Your tour includes expert insights into Antarctic exploration, science and history, stories about life on the ice, and talks about our rescued kororā, little penguins. You'll also experience a Hägglunds ride, the Antarctic Storm Experience and the 4D Theatre.

Your ticket includes full General Admission access, so you can explore the International Antarctic Centre at your own pace either before or after your guided tour.

We recommend booking online in advance to help secure your preferred tour time.

Check our booking page for current availability.

The Antarctic Guided Tour is a two-hour, fully guided experience led by one of our Antarctic Guides. Your ticket also includes full General Admission access to the International Antarctic Centre, so you can explore independently before or after your tour.

We recommend allowing 3–4 hours for your visit to enjoy the guided tour and make the most of everything the Centre has to offer.

The Antarctic Guided Tour is not suitable for children under 16 years of age. If you're visiting with younger children, General Admission is a great alternative, allowing your family to explore at your own pace.

General Admission is self-guided, so you can explore at your own pace. The Antarctic Guided Tour is a two-hour experience led by an Antarctic Guide, with additional stories, insights and information. General Admission is included in the Guided Tour ticket.

The Hägglunds Field Trip has a strict minimum rider height of 1.2 metres, with no exceptions.

Some experiences also have health and safety restrictions. Pregnancy, broken bones, and neck or back problems may affect your ability to take part in the Hägglunds Field Trip or 4D Theatre. The 4D Theatre may also not be suitable for people who experience motion sickness or have light sensitivity.

Our Antarctic Guided Tour is not suitable for children under 16 years of age.

If you have any health concerns or are unsure whether an experience is suitable for you, please speak to our team before participating.

The Storm Experience recreates the extreme conditions of an Antarctic summer storm. The room stays at around -8°C, with wind chill making it feel as cold as -18°C once the storm begins.

We provide a warm jacket for you to wear, or you’re welcome to bring your own. We recommend wearing closed-toe footwear to keep your feet comfortable.

The storm lasts around five minutes and gets dark, windy and loud. If you need a break, you can leave at any time or take shelter in the igloo inside the room.

Storms run throughout the day, with our team using countdown timers so you know when the next one is due to begin. If you’re visiting with young children who might find the storm a little scary, you can enter the room between storms to explore without experiencing the full effects.

Absolutely! Whether it’s a rainy day or a hot Christchurch summer’s day, most of our experiences are indoors, making the International Antarctic Centre a great option whatever the weather.

Some experiences, including the Hägglunds Field Trip, take place outdoors, so we recommend dressing for the conditions. Rain or shine, there’s plenty to discover at the International Antarctic Centre!

Yes! We offer free luggage storage at the International Antarctic Centre, so you can enjoy your visit without carrying your bags around.

Please note that our luggage storage is a shared space rather than individual lockers. If you're travelling with large items, such as skis or snowboards, or visiting as part of a large group, please email or phone us ahead of time so we can arrange additional space where possible.

Yes! The International Antarctic Centre has an on-site café, open daily from 9am to 3.30pm, where you can take a break and grab something to eat or drink during your visit.

Free on-site parking is available for visitors. If our car park is full, you can also use the overflow parking at Spitfire Square, where we have permission for visitors to park.