Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City and Giants House Tour
Overview
A unique shore excursion from Akaroa which combines a tour of the Banks Peninsula and Christchurch with a guided tour of the famous Giant's House. While your ship is berthed at port, travel from Akaroa to Christchurch via the Akaroa Highway affording some beautiful views of the Banks Peninsula. After a brief stop at the Botanical Gardens, set off on a guided tour of the city centre which highlights the earthquake damage of 2011 with its rebuild efforts and surviving landmarks. Here you'll make a stop with time to explore on foot. Afterwards, head up to the Sign of the Takahe on the Port Hills with some incredible views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, before heading back to Akaroa where a guided tour of the famous Giants House, with its stunning sculptures and gardens, have been arranged for your enjoyment.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Driver/guide
- Guided tour of the Giants House
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Entry/Admission - The Giants House
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Akaroa Village Inn, 81 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand
First you will be collected at the park at the end of Akaroa Wharf (opposite the Akaroa Village Inn) at 10.30am and driven through the village of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula with stunning views of rolling hills, lakes and coastlines before arriving in Christchurch.
Pass By: Banks Peninsula, 575 Summit Road, Christchurch 8081 New Zealand
Travel from Akaroa to Christchurch via the Akaroa Highway, with great views of the Banks Peninsula, Lake Forsyth & Lake Ellesmere.
Stop At: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Ave, Christchurch New Zealand
After boarding our coaches from the Akaroa Port, we'll take you through to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens & Christchurch Museum via the scenic Banks Peninsula. Explore on your own for 30 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Christchurch New Zealand
After a some time at the Botanic Gardens, your driver will take you for a sightseeing tour of the central city and highlight the Earthquake damage of 2011. After which, stop for a 45 minute lunch break (own expense) in the city.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Sign of the Takahe, 200 Hackthorne Road, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand
After departing the city, head to the Sign of the Takahe in the Port Hills for some magnificent views of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains. On a clear day, you'll be able to see the incredible Southern Alps and the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges.
Stop At: The Giants House, 70 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand
Make your way back to Akaroa Township and make a stop at the Giant’s House, with its beautiful gardens and mosaic sculptures, where a guided tour has been arranged for your enjoyment. Finally, your coach can take you back to the wharf or alternatively you can continue exploring on foot.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Akaroa Village Inn, 81 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand
First you will be collected at the park at the end of Akaroa Wharf (opposite the Akaroa Village Inn) at 10.30am and driven through the village of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula with stunning views of rolling hills, lakes and coastlines before arriving in Christchurch.
Pass By: Banks Peninsula, 575 Summit Road, Christchurch 8081 New Zealand
Travel from Akaroa to Christchurch via the Akaroa Highway, with great views of the Banks Peninsula, Lake Forsyth & Lake Ellesmere.
Stop At: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Ave, Christchurch New Zealand
After boarding our coaches from the Akaroa Port, we'll take you through to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens & Christchurch Museum via the scenic Banks Peninsula. Explore on your own for 30 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Christchurch New Zealand
After a some time at the Botanic Gardens, your driver will take you for a sightseeing tour of the central city and highlight the Earthquake damage of 2011. After which, stop for a 45 minute lunch break (own expense) in the city.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Sign of the Takahe, 200 Hackthorne Road, Cashmere, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand
After departing the city, head to the Sign of the Takahe in the Port Hills for some magnificent views of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains. On a clear day, you'll be able to see the incredible Southern Alps and the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges.
Stop At: The Giants House, 70 Rue Balguerie, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand
Make your way back to Akaroa Township and make a stop at the Giant’s House, with its beautiful gardens and mosaic sculptures, where a guided tour has been arranged for your enjoyment. Finally, your coach can take you back to the wharf or alternatively you can continue exploring on foot.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Follow the safety guidelines as issued by the New Zealand Government and maintain good hygene and social distancing measures. Do not travel if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms. If the city in which you are departing from is in alert level two, then please wear a facemask for all transport.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
SewingGolfer
January 2020
The tour bus seated sixteen people. The seats were narrow with virtually no leg room. My husband I and were so uncomfortable that when the bus made it's first stop we asked for a transport vehicle to come and get us and take us back to the wharf. We were more than willing to forfeit seeing Christ...
The tour bus seated sixteen people. The seats were narrow with virtually no leg room. My husband I and were so uncomfortable that when the bus made it's first stop we asked for a transport vehicle to come and get us and take us back to the wharf. We were more than willing to forfeit seeing Christchurch and the Giants House. The tour guide asked a shorter woman to change seats, which she did. The new seat was a sit better, but my knees still bumped the seat in front of me. Also, it was next to impossible to see any of the sights that were being pointed out. The three hour round trip to Christchurch should never be taken in a packed van of that size. I would have given 0 stars to the tour, except for the private tour of the Giants House by the owner. We chose to walk back to the wharf (almost a mile) rather than get back on that van.338LSK
January 2020
Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about both Akaroa and Chrsit Church. Christ Church is quite a distance from Akaroa which was a lovely seaside town. Felt a little rushed in Christ Church, but our time in port was limited. Was surprised to see still much of the ruins from the earthquake. Th...
Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about both Akaroa and Chrsit Church. Christ Church is quite a distance from Akaroa which was a lovely seaside town. Felt a little rushed in Christ Church, but our time in port was limited. Was surprised to see still much of the ruins from the earthquake. The Giants House was like nothing I have ever seen, an eccentric French artist has created usually beautiful creations in tile.Gogogram63
January 2020
We were a group of 6 senior adults who engaged Leisure Tours for this tour. The tour itself was as advertised. Christchurch was a bit disappointing as they have not really recovered yet from the destruction of 3 years ago and our time at the Gardens was too short. We spent too much time at The G...
We were a group of 6 senior adults who engaged Leisure Tours for this tour. The tour itself was as advertised. Christchurch was a bit disappointing as they have not really recovered yet from the destruction of 3 years ago and our time at the Gardens was too short. We spent too much time at The Giants House leaving less time at other venues. The reason I titled this "Exceptional Customer Service" is because we were on a cruise and when we arrived back onboard the ship I discovered that my pocket camera must have fallen out of my backpack. As the ship was pulling out of the pier I called Leisure Tours office. The manager listened my tale, said " that tour guide just pulled in let me check". He came back to tell me they had the camera. He then asked where the ship was going the next day, asked what tour we were doing and arranged for me to pick up my camera the next morning at the Information Center. Thank you for the exceptional customer service!757israelb
December 2019
The tour was great,excellent option,I love Churchrist and the giant house,the 2 are exccellent option to visit,I really recomend this tour
The tour was great,excellent option,I love Churchrist and the giant house,the 2 are exccellent option to visit,I really recomend this tourruthmC1267QX
December 2019
We had a lovely time on our tour and particularly enjoyed going to the Giant's House. We met the artist/owner who clearly has her own way of doing things. She was colorful and quirky and quite adamant about not taking any pictures inside the house. (You can buy a book with pictures of the insi...
We had a lovely time on our tour and particularly enjoyed going to the Giant's House. We met the artist/owner who clearly has her own way of doing things. She was colorful and quirky and quite adamant about not taking any pictures inside the house. (You can buy a book with pictures of the inside and of the artist.) We asked if we could take her picture and she said, "no." But she was happy for us to photograph all of the outside art. It's quite a collection. Our time in Christchurch was interesting but rushed. I would have liked more time to explore, particularly the areas still suffering from major earthquake damage and the memorial with the white chairs to the victims of the earthquake. I would at least have liked a few photo stops. It's not easy to get good pictures while on a moving bus. We did get a little time for lunch and a few minutes to wander in a pretty botanical garden, but an extra 30-60 minutes would have been helpful. For those of us on a cruise ship, our time was limited, but I think we could have managed that and still made it back with time to spare.L9464WQelaineb
November 2019
Our driver was very informative and gave us information about Christchurch City, and the earthquakes and damage to the area and the re-building of the city. Loved the Giants House Tour, it has many statues outside made up of broken tile, etc. and there are many plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees....
Our driver was very informative and gave us information about Christchurch City, and the earthquakes and damage to the area and the re-building of the city. Loved the Giants House Tour, it has many statues outside made up of broken tile, etc. and there are many plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Great tour, I highly recommend it.