International Antarctic Centre

Christchurch has been a departure point for Antarctic expeditions since Scott and Shackleton, and the airport still hosts the operational bases of the New Zealand, United States and Italian Antarctic programmes - aircraft leave for the ice from here every season. The visitor centre sits in that campus. Its best-known exhibit is the storm room, where the temperature is dropped below freezing and a wind machine simulates an Antarctic blast, jackets and overshoes provided. There is a colony of little blue penguins, all of them rescued birds unable to survive in the wild - injured, blind or with damaged flippers - and a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride over a purpose-built course. The 4D theatre and some displays are dated. It works best as an explanation of why New Zealand has an Antarctic role at all.

What you actually see

• The storm room - sub-zero temperatures and simulated Antarctic wind.
• The penguins - rescued little blues that cannot be released.
• The Hagglund ride - the tracked Antarctic vehicle over rough ground.
• The gateway story - Christchurch's role in Antarctic operations.

When to go

Any season; indoors throughout. Penguin feeding times are worth timing for. Quieter on weekday mornings.

Honest expectations

Priced as a full attraction but takes two to three hours. Some exhibits are dated. The Hagglund ride is often an extra charge. The storm room is short - a few minutes.

Nearby

Christchurch Airport is next door; Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is close.