13km south of Christchurch, on a sheltered natural harbor formed by the crater of an extinct volcano, is the port of Lyttleton (pop. 3000). It is named after Lord Lyttleton, a leading member of the Canterbury Association (Christchurch, History), which during the 19th C. was the gateway of New Zealand for many thousands of immigrants. The pilgrims of Christchurch landed in 1850 on the northwestern shore of Lyttleton Harbour, which is still the city's port. The arrival of the pilgrims is commemorated annually on December 16th by the Bridle Path Walk (8km) from the harbor over the steep hills to Christchurch.
A railroad tunnel was driven through the hills in 1867, followed in 1964 by a road tunnel; both provide good connections between Lyttleton and Christchurch.
The best features in the town can be seen by following the Lyttleton Historic Walk. Information can be obtained in the excellent Lyttleton Historical Museum on Gladstone Quay, which in addition to its material on local history has sections on oceanography and Antarctic exploration.
Notable buildings are Holy Trinity Church (1860; Anglican), St Joseph's Church (1865; RC) and the Presbyterian Church (1864) in Winchester Street.
Very few of Lyttelton's stone-built heritage buildings remained intact following the September 2010 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. By June 2011, six buildings on London Street in Lyttelton had been demolished, along with another four on Norwich Quay.
There are a number of trails on which the hilly peninsula can be explored, including the Mount Herbert Walk and the Summit Road Scenic Walk. The Banks Peninsula Track is a 4 day walk.
The best known of the trails is the Bridle Path, which runs between Lyttleton and Christchurch, the route followed by the first Christchurch settlers.
On the tiny Ripapa Island in Lyttleton Harbour there was once a Maori pa. In 1885, when there was concern about a possible Russian invasion, a fort was built on the island. For a time the island served as a quarantine station and a prison. Among the prisoners detained here was the 'Sea Devil' Count Felix von Luckner after his daring flight from Motuihe Island.
Timeball Station suffered significant damage from the earthquake on February 22, 2011 and has been dismantled.
The Timeball Station (1875) in Reserve Terrace, which signaled the time by lowering the ball, operated until 1935. The building was erected by convict labor.
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