2 Reserve Terrace, Lyttelton

Lyttelton Timeball is located at the top of a steep hill with spectacular views over Lyttelton and Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. Small children and those with mobility challenges may find the climb difficult but will be fascinated by the timeball dropping at 1pm.

The adjoining castle-like building that was once such a feature is still no more than a set of foundations, but the tower itself has been meticulously recreated with the original stone, now concealing a sturdy, earthquake-proof interior. It sits in a pretty garden with an apple tree and a flagstaff – and there is a cute bronze statue of Skippy, a local dog who used to come running when she heard the ball being raised, to bark when it dropped.

It's an easy walk up there from the town centre and you're rewarded with a wonderful view of the town, the port, the harbour, its islands and the Diamond Harbour settlement across the water, all of it enclosed by the rocky shattered rim of one of the two volcanoes that formed what is now Banks Peninsula.

There are no toilets located at Lyttelton Timeball. Public toilets are located at The Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre, on Oxford Street.

Friday – Sunday 3pm on.

Perhaps this one might not be for the kids if you’re doing this as a family, but if you’re an adult and want to check out a German Art Bar, pop on up the stairs.

From the masses of weird and wonderful artwork, to the amazing solar system disco balls in the back room, there’s plenty of eye candy here, and a stunning view of the harbour.

Bill Hammond painted Traffic Cop Bay in 2003 in the Masonic Lodge, Canterbury St, Lyttelton.

The work was exhibited at Peter McLeavey Gallery, Wellington and purchased by Te Papa.

LAF was wrapped with this incredible artwork in early 2024.