A great place to visit - I bought our tickets online direct with company before I left home so when you arrived you do not need to line up to buy them, you need to line up but shorter line for entry. The staff were amazing, and it was lovely reading lots about the Antarctic and the penguins were so cute. A lovely thing to do as adults and children would love it.

Fleeting visit well worth while - I'd walked past the International Antarctic Centre a few times but never really knew what was behind the doors. On this occasion I had a few hours to fill between flights and didn't want to venture too far from the airport. I was greeted outside by one of the staff who briefed me on some of the 'must see' activities and advised they could hold my luggage safely. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to do a field trip in the hagglunds, the all-terrain amphibious vehicles used on rough icy terrain. First, I got to check out the huskies: one was a Siberian husky and the other a Malamute. The owner of both dogs was there and was kind enough to answer all the questions about the dogs. She also talked about their fur and it was oh so soft. Interestingly they sweat through their paws and not their body, which makes total sense when you consider snowy weather. Next up was a snow storm experience. Again the staff are there every step of the way and will guide you on the best experiences. They gave me booties to put over my shoes and an extra quilted jacket. Before too long the high speed fans give an icy blast and the weather drops to -8 degrees with a wind chill of -18.4 degrees Celcius. There's a monitor on the wall so you can see what's happening. The blue penguin enclosure is in another section and I was lucky enough to see them frolicking in the water. Again, another staff member was on hand to provide lots of great information and answer any questions about them. I finished off with a 4D theatre experience with a boat voyage. I wish I'd had more time to explore but it only gives me the feeling of coming back for more next time. It is well worth the visit to get a glimpse of the mammoth task of a trek to the Antarctic.

Great attraction to visit - Amazing place, very informative. We could have spent more time, there is so much information to read. Ride on the Hagglund was a highlight

Unique and educational family experience - This is such a unique experience as you are completely immersed in the antartic experience. Our little boy loved exploring all the interactive learning activities, penguins and huskies. The simulated storm was intense and we sheltered in the igloo, which was quite warm. The 4d movie was amazing. Definitely go on the fieldtrip, its a bumpy ride but super fun. All in all a must do experience

Great time - It was great. I loved the exhibits, the guides and all the info. The Hagglund ride is not to be missed! I also particularly enjoyed the talk about the sled dogs.

Must to in CHC - Very informative and interesting, staff was extremely knowledgeable & excited to share knowledge, displays provided great information. Storm chamber was fun too!

A great day trip - Great day trip. Beautiful displays, staff are lovely. The ride was thrilling and a good laugh. The penguin backstage visit was fun as well

Fantastic experience - Visiting the International Antarctic Centre was an unforgettable experience. The centre does a fantastic job of combining education, adventure, and hands-on interaction. The Antarctic Storm room was a highlight as the wind chill and icy temperatures gave me a real sense of what it's like to be in Antarctica. I loved the Hägglund ride too as it’s bumpy, fun, and surprisingly educational. A must-do in Christchurch!

Huskies - My husband and I visited Christchurch Antartica in August 2025. Whilst the overall experience was informative and interesting, I was terribly disappointed at the lack of interaction with the huskies. I believe that these beautifully trained dogs were once allowed to interact with visitors and that no longer is allowed. I believe this firmly is impacting on the wellbeing of the dogs,as it is in their nature to interact with humans. They seemed very very “flat”,and it was incredibly sad to see. Surely something can been done about this, maybe a disclaimer, or some other system. I have not stopped thinking about this issue, and think it is totally unfair on those animals, to deprive them of interaction. Maybe you should get a few stuffed toys that look like huskies and put them on the exhibit. I for one would rather see that , than see those animals unable to interact for 8 hours a day. It is a terrible shame, and for an organisation like yourselves that professes to make the welfare of animals one of your primary concerns I strongly suggest that this current situation be addressed. I did think about reaching out to local media, but in all fairness to you I decided to express my serious concerns to you I would welcome any feedback you have Elaine Thomas

Dont use Trip Advisior - TripAdvisor is a total rip-off don't use this company. Activity was good but dont book through this company, cheaper to buy direct.