Ships

Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours Passenger Vesselsh

Bank's Peninsula sits to the east of Canterbury Plains. It consists of steep ridges of volcanic stone, with valleys and harbours throughout. The two biggest harbours are the Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. Lyttelton is the port of Christchurch. It has an inner port that is protected by a mole. The outer port is for the larger container and coal ships. [Apr 2013].

The Lyttelton was a steam tug for the busy port of Lyttelton. It went into service in 1907 and was initially named Canterbury. It was renamed Lyttelton in 1911. Here the old steam ship participated in the celebration of 150 years of railways in New Zealand. [Oct 2013].
In 1971 the Lyttelton was retired. The ship was not scrapped, but preserved. The Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society was formed in 1973 and since that year the tug is used to carry passengers. Here, it enters the inner harbour of Lyttelton while the ferry to Diamond Harbour leaves the port. [Mar 2013].
Lyttelton particulars: length: 35.2m; width: 7.65m; speed: 12.4 knots; passengers: 99. [Mar 2013].
The steam tug Lyttelton arrives back in the inner harbour while two ferries leave the port. [Jan 2020].
The remains of the first steam tug in Lyttelton, the Mullogh, sit now beached at Quail Island. Its prominent boiler is visible. Alongside it are the remains of the first steam tug named Lyttelton. Immediately to their right are the remains of the steam launch Waiwera, which was used as a ferry between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. The prominent remains belong to the large barque Darra. Beyond that sailing ship are the remains of the schooner Frank Guy. Just the shadowy outline of the barque La Plata are visible in deeper water. [Jan 2024].
A ferry service operates between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. It is normally operated by the catamaran Black Diamond, which was specifically built for this service. Here the ship leaves from the wharf in Diamond Harbour. [Jun 2020].
Black Diamond particulars: Length: 12.0m; Width: 4.0m; Speed: 22 kn; Passengers: 45; Builder: Q-West, Whanganui, New Zealand. The Black Diamond entered service in 2001. [Jun 2020].
The Black Diamond arrives in Lyttelton alongside the steam tug Lyttelton and the other harbour ferries. She has just passed a bulk ship discharging fertiliser. [Sep 2020].
The Black Diamond was built in 2001 specifically for the service between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. It replaced old, historic ferries, such as the Onawe. Here the ship arrives in Lyttelton. [Jan 2021].
The wharf in Diamond Harbour is an old structure that is due to be partly replaced. The Black Diamond moves away astern from the wharf. [Jan 2021].
The Black Diamond is owned by Black Cat Cruises. This company formed in 1985 as Akaroa Harbour Cruises to operate tourist vessels on the Akaroa Cruises. It later expanded to Lyttelton and changed its name to Black Cat Group Ltd in 1999. [Jan 2021].
The Black Diamond arrives in the Lyttelton Inner Harbour after crossing over from Diamond Harbour. [Sep 2023].
The tug Lyttelton was out of service at the time when the Black Diamond motored from the Lyttelton ferry wharf through the port. [Oct 2023].
The Black Diamond travels across Lyttelton Harbour. In the background is the large quarry from which rocks for the reclamation in Lyttelton were taken. [Oct 2023].
By late 2023 the wharf in Diamond Harbour had been upgraded. It now has a floating pontoon, so that it is easier to get on and off the ferry at all tidal levels. The Black Diamond arrives in Diamond Harbour. [Oct 2023].
The old part of the Diamond Harbour wharf was renovated. New plastic planks now cover the wharf, which is mainly used for fishing now. The Black Diamond has departed from Diamond Harbour. [Oct 2023].
The Black Diamond has departed from Diamond Harbour on a nice spring day. [Oct 2023].
The Black Diamond also operates some of the trips to Quail Island. This island is in Lyttelton Harbour and is now a reserve. It has beautiful beaches, regenerating bush and a hut, where people can stay overnight. [Oct 2023].
The Quail Island jetty is on the south-eastern side of the island. The Black Diamond has arrived at Quail Island just after midday. Several passengers have disembarked and now walk ashore along the jetty. [Jan 2024].
The Black Diamond has left the Quail Island jetty and returns to Lyttelton. The view through the Macrocarpa trees shows that the jetty is not in a sheltered bay of the island. [Jan 2024].
The Black Diamond makes its way across Lyttelton Harbour to Quail Island. Quail Island is now administered by the Department of Conservation. Black Cat Cruises provide a commercial ferry service up to three times a day to the island. No doubt part of the fares is paid to the Department of Conservation under a concession. [Jan 2024].
On its usual run between Diamond Harbour and Lyttelton, the Black Diamond passes the dramatic backdrop of Banks Peninsula. [Jan 2024].
The Black Diamond at Diamond Harbour. From Diamond Harbour there's a walking track to Mt Herbert, the highest mountain on Banks Peninsula at 919 m above sea level. [Feb 2024].
The Black Diamond turns to leave Diamond Harbour for Lyttelton. [Apr 2024].
That day a humpback whale swam in Lyttelton Harbour. [Apr 2024].
The whale came closer to Diamond Harbour and surfaced a couple of times, gracefully arching back into the water. [Apr 2024].
The Black Diamond arriving at Diamond Harbour. [Apr 2024].
The Black Diamond leaves Diamond Harbour. [May 2024].
On a rainy day the Black Diamond is on its way to return to Lyttelton. [Jul 2024].
The Fiordlander I was built in 1963 for tourism on Lake Manapouri in Fiordland. In total 7 vessels of the Fiordlander class were built. Here, the Fiordlander I is leaving Diamond Harbour. [Jan 2023].
Fiordlander I particulars: length: 16.4m; Passengers:92 pax. [Jan 2023].
The Fiordlander I was used for some time as a backup vessel for the Diamond Harbour - Lyttelton ferry service. Here the ship arrives at the Diamond Harbour wharf. [Jan 2023].
This is the interior of the Fiordlander I from the back. It shows the upper cabin and then the lower cabin. Clearly, the vessel looks quite old inside by now. [Jan 2023].
With Mt Herbert in the background, the Fiordlander I arrives in Lyttelton after crossing over from Diamond Harbour. It seems that by late 2023, the Fiordlander I was no longer in service. [Apr 2023].
The Canterbury Cat was used in Lyttelton Harbour for cruises and to bring day trippers to some of the islands in the Harbour. Here the Canterbury Cat is tied up in Lyttelton. [Jan 2021].
Canterbury Cat particulars: Length: 16.90m; Passengers: 83 to 92 pax. The vessel was built in the late 1980s and has been part of the Black Cat Cruises fleet since 1988. [Jan 2023].
This is the view from the top deck of the Canterbury Cat as it approaches the jetty of Quail Island. [Jan 2024].
The Canterbury Cat cruises across the Lyttelton Harbour on its way to Quail Island. [Jan 2024].
With Mt Bradley in the background, the Canterbury Cat turns to land at the Quail Island jetty. Mt Bradley is named after the Bradley Family. Rev Robert Reginald Bradley arrived in New Zealand in 1856 to become the Vicar of Papanui at St Paul's Anglican Church. He took on farming to supplement his income and later moved the family to Charteris Bay. The farm was later taken over by his son Orton Bradley, who later gifted it as a private park for all visitors to enjoy. [Jan 2024].
The Canterbury Cat has left Quail Island to return a load of day trippers to Lyttelton again. Meanwhile the few people that are staying overnight on the island have it more peaceful now. Ōtamahua Hut can accommodate up to 12 people. There is also a camping ground, where people can pitch their tent. [Jan 2024].
The Canterbury Cat on Lyttelton Harbour. The New Zealand Red Ensign is flown. This is often regarded as New Zealand's naval flag. In fact, New Zealand ships may fly the standard New Zealand flag or the Red Ensign. [Jan 2024].
The Canterbury Cat leaves Lyttelton on its way across the Harbour. [Apr 2024].
In late 2023, the Spirit joined the fleet of Black Cat Cruises to replace the Fiordlander Ias a standby vessel for the Diamond Harbour Ferry or other Lyttelton Harbour vessels. The Spirit is 14 m long and can carry 49 passengers. [Oct 2023].
In September 2024 a new vessel was launched to operate the ferry service between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour. The Black Pearl was built by Icon Custom Boats in nearby Rangiora. It has a far greater capacity of 95 passengers. On busy days passengers had previously often been left behind. [Sep 2024].
The four Lyttelton-based vessels of Black Cat Cruises are seen together in Lyttelton, together with a port tug. The Canterbury Cat is used for charters and trips to the islands around Lyttelton Harbour. The Black Pearl is the new ferry between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour, occasionally also undertaking trips to the islands. The Black Diamond is still retained on standby to cover for the other two vessels, and may still sometimes be seen on the ferry run to Diamond Harbour. The Spirit is a further backup vessel for more charters or when things get really busy. We'll see how long all these vessels will be retained. [Sep 2024].
Black Pearl particulars: Length: 16.0m; Width: 5.45m; Speed: 22 kn; Passengers: 95; [Sep 2024].
Inside the Black Pearl is spacious and light with large panorama windows. The inside cabin is also heated and has comfortable seats. This is the view from the front starboard seats. [Sep 2024].
The Black Pearl has left Diamond Harbour and travels back across Lyttelton Harbour to Lyttelton. The large antenna on top of the peak Sugar Loaf stands out on the Port Hills. [Sep 2024].
The Black Cat is the ship after which Black Cat Cruises is named. It was built in 1993 in Australia and came to the Akaroa Harbour in 1997. Here it is at the wharf in Akaroa. [Jul 2022].
The Black Cat was used for many years as the main dolphin viewing vessel in the Akaroa Harbour. The Hector's Dolphin is one of the world's smallest dolphins and is at home in the sea around Bank's Peninsula. [Jul 2022].
Black Cat particulars: length: 17.35m; width: 7.25m; speed: 18 knots ;Passengers: 99 pax. [Jul 2022].
The Cat 2 was built specifically for swimming with the dolphins. Here it is in Akaroa. [Jul 2022].
The Cat 2 is here in Lyttelton Harbour, where she briefly was a support vessel. Cat 2 particulars: length: 12.80 m; Passengers: 25 pax. [Sep 2023].
The Akaroa Dolphin is owned by a Akaroa Dolphins, another company offering dolphin cruises from Akaroa. The vessel was launched in 2019. It is 14.67 m and can carry up to 50 passengers. [Jul 2022].