An unmissable Christchurch experience, the Gondola offers stunning unique views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour and beyond from our summit station situated atop the Port Hills. A great family-friendly spot to explore for locals and visitors, a visit to the Gondola is a must-do activity.

Take in the spectacular 360-degree views and see Christchurch from a different perspective: gaze at the snow-capped Southern Alps, sprawling Canterbury Plains and the sparkling waters of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The summit station offers plenty to entertain: explore the many walking tracks and wide open spaces amidst fresh air, learn about the history of the area on the Time Tunnel ride (entry is free with your Gondola ticket or Annual Pass), and indulge in a spot of shopping at our well-priced gift shop. Sit back and take in the fantastic views with a snack from the licensed Red Rock Café.

Our 4-seat cabins allocated per group ensure exclusivity for your Gondola ride, and the changing weather and seasons mean a different view every time you visit. For frequent visitors we recommend our great-value Annual Pass – perfect for locals!

What you need to know

Duration

Allow 50-60 minutes to visit

Open hours

Daily from 10am – 4pm (last ride up)
Closed Christmas Day

Christchurch Attractions - Age Limit Icon

Minimum Age

There is no minimum age but for safety reasons children must be accompanied by an adult

What's at the top

Shop at the Top
Red Rock Café
Time Tunnel Experience
Free Wi-Fi
Spectacular 360 view.

TripAdvisor

More than 2,000 reviews on TripAdvisor

Looking for more?

Tram & Gondola Annual Pass

Unlimited rides on the Tram and Gondola all year! Great value for locals and frequent visitors Exclusive pass-holder discounts

TRIPLE PASS: TRAM, PUNTING & GONDOLA

Christchurch Tram City Tour Punting on the Avon River Scenic Gondola Ride

#1 SELLING COMBO: TRAM & GONDOLA

Scenic Gondola Ride Christchurch Tram City Tour

TOP SELLING COMBO: PUNT & GONDOLA

Scenic Gondola Ride Punting on the Avon River

Customer satisfaction first

We are committed to giving you the best experience possible. Whether you are a visitor to Christchurch or a local exploring your hometown sights, our friendly staff will show you the best attractions the city has to offer.

COMBINE AND SAVE!

Purchase our combo tickets for great discounts:
Combine TWO attractions and save $5
Combine THREE attractions and save $10
Savings valid for adult tickets

Daily Photos

Customer reviews

July 14, 2020

Value for money way to see the Port Hills and surrounding views. Very friendly and efficient staff. We were lucky to have a clear day - could see for miles!

Robyn B - Whangarei, New Zealand

July 7, 2020

Great way to get a birds eye view of the city and the Banks Peninsula. Great history boards as well.

FamilyChisholm - Te Awamutu, New Zealand

July 7, 2020

Good to be back at the gondola today to celebrate the reopening on such a beautiful day. We've been Annual Pass holders for some years and love the peace and beauty of the gondola come rain or shine. In fact, being up in the cloud and rain is sometimes more peaceful than on bright sunny days! The cable itself can hold some surprises as we have seen a kingfisher and an owl (in the middle of the day) sitting on it as we have travelled down. The views are always different and there are a number of walks easily accessed from the top. The cafe is a convenient stop to have food and drink and we have always enjoyed what they have on offer.

Alan F - Christchurch, New Zealand

March 28, 2020

For an introduction to NZ at the start of our 33day road trip this was a very pleasant experience. We had good weather dry and very sunny and fresh air!!

lampug - Essex, United Kingdom

The Base Station of the Gondola is nestled in Heathcote Valley where you will find plenty of parking for cars and coaches. The Summit Station – including the Time Tunnel, shop and café – is at the top of Mt Cavendish. The Gondola trip up to the summit takes approximately 10 minutes, we can stop the ride for guests requiring assistance, including wheelchairs (up to a maximum of 600mm in width). The cableway spans 862 horizontal metres and our Gondola cabins are very stable and comfortable, offering spectacular 360° views.

Daily Photos

Highlights

RED ROCK CAFE

For customers wishing to enjoy a private lunch with a view, our Gondola Restaurant is available for group bookings during our Gondola opening hours (please note a minimum of 20 people applies. Evening bookings are unavailable). Please contact us for further details.

Functions at the Gondola

The stunning views of Christchurch city, the ocean, Southern Alps and Lyttelton Harbour make a wedding, dinner, conference or meeting at the top of Christchurch’s Mt Cavendish incomparable. View our unique Gondola function venue for more information.

Shop at The Top

You can buy souvenirs, gifts, greeting cards and much more for a reasonable price at our Gondola Shop. We also have everyday bargain sales where you can buy quality products for a cheaper price.

Getting there

The Gondola is just a 15-minute drive from central Christchurch, and a large carpark is available at the Gondola Base Station for customers to use free of charge.

Transport to the Gondola is available on public bus number 28, departing from the City Exchange on Lichfield Street behind The Crossing Complex. The City Bus Exchange is located between Lichfield and Tuam Streets behind Ballantynes and Cashel Mall.

Please note that the Gondola Shuttle is currently closed with a planned re-opening later in 2021.

Time Tunnel Experience

At the summit, experience the Time Tunnel ride, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the region.

Christchurch Gondola

The 360° Views Are Unique

Book Now