FERRYMEAD HERITAGE PARK                          We are open under the Traffic Light system in Green, Orange and Red settings: 

10.00am to 4.30pm

Ferrymead owes its importance in history to the hills dividing Christchurch from the port of Lyttelton.  Pioneers transported their goods over the steep Bridle Path from Lyttelton to Heathcote, where punts were used to cross the river into early Christchurch. Later traffic came by sea up the estuary. In 1863, the first railway in New Zealand was opened, running from Ferrymead into central Christchurch. This railway line was the inspiration for Ferrymead Heritage Park and the restored railway line follows part of the route today. 

Ferrymead Park features an early 1900s (Edwardian) township and the park has a variety of restored cottages plus a school house, church and businesses which reflect the period and allow visitors to experience life for the early residents of Christchurch including the smell of a coal range and the sounds of a tram rattling past the door. 

There are a large array of heritage exhibitions and displays that are open for viewing, particularly on Sundays. These displays are owned and operated by individual societies and manned by their volunteers. They have restored and displayed their collections for you to enjoy and these include tractors, fire engines, aeroplanes, trams, trains, cars, printing, post and telegraph, model railway, photography and much much more. If you are interested in a particular society's display, please contact the society in advance of your visit, to ensure that volunteers will be on site. 

Trams run on weekends and are not included in the admission. Tickets can be purchased from reception.

Ferrymead Alive (formally known as Steam Sunday) runs on the first Sunday of every month, tickets are not included in the admission and can be purchased from Moorhouse Station inside the park.