Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City and Giants House Tour

Akaroa, New Zealand

6 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

If you're pulling into port in Akaroa, this shore excursion is designed to show you some of the sights of New Zealand's South Island. You'll explore the Banks Peninsula and the city of Christchurch, plus take a guided tour of the Giant's House. See how the city has rebuilt since the 2011 earthquake, and stop by places such as the Botanical Gardens. This tour allows you to relax on a pre-planned adventure instead of trying to find your own way around the area from the cruise ship port.

Discover the Banks Peninsula with a guide so you won't miss the top sights
Travel by vehicle with some time to explore on foot
Skip the stress of taxis or public transportation when you're in port
Pickup and drop-off provided in Akaroa

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Guided tour of the Giants House
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee

Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

The Britomart Cannon
Akaroa 7520, New Zealand
From the Main Wharf in Akaroa, head down to the end where you will see the Akaroa I-Site and a small park on the right-hand side. Next to the Canon statue, a representative will be waiting for you. Please arrive by 10.15am for a 10.30am departure.

Start time

10:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Akaroa Village Inn (Pass By)

Banks Peninsula (Pass By)

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Christchurch Cathedral

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sign of the Takahe (Pass By)

The Giants House

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

3.5

14 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-5 of 14 reviews

Great Scenery

Welch, Mar 2020

The scenery and information provided on the drive along the Banks Peninsula en route to Christchurch was well worth the trip. Unfortunately, we had very little time in Christchurch because of delay leaving port due to extreme crowds caused by two ships in this small port. Giants House is a must-see in Akaroa. It is a short walk from the port.

Response from Host, Apr 2020

Thanks for the great review, Welch. It's great to hear you had a nice time on you Akaroa shore excursion with Christchurch Sightseeing and Giant's House Tour and learnt a lot about this area of New Zealand. Regarding your comments, unfortunately the slight delays were caused by not just the double cruise ships in the harbour but also because a significant amount of people doing this tour did not take the tenders to shore early enough for our 10.30pm departure time. This is why we ask all travelers to try and arrive ashore at least 15 minutes before the tours departure. Despite the minor delays, we did manage to spend about the same amount in the city as we usually do and I happy that it had little impact on the tour. Thanks again and I hope you get to return to Akaroa and Christchurch again soon!

Well organized

KwokChuWilson_Y, Feb 2020

It is definitely a value for money short trip. Lots of histories been told by the driver (our guide actually) and she is so professionally taking all cares on us. Thank you.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thanks for the great review! I'm pleased you enjoyed your Akaroa shore excursion to Christchurch with Giant's House and that you feel our tour is a great value for money! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your cruise and you get to visit Akaroa and Christchurch again soon!

Perfect Day

dalmorelodge, Feb 2020

Had a great day. Janet was informative and got us around easily. It was lovely to see Christchurch and all they are rebuilding after the earthquake. Would like to have had more time but the joys of being on a cruise ship limit this. Especially enjoyed Akaroa and the Giant’s House. What a beautiful garden. Akaroa quaint and we loved walking around it.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thanks for the awesome review. I'm really pleased that you had such a nice time on your Akaroa Shore Excursion including Christchurch City and Giants House Tour. Both Akaroa and the Giant's House are such beautiful places and definitely a highlight for people doing this tour. It's also great to see that your driver/guide, Janet, was informative and took good care of you! I'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her! Thanks again and I hope you get to visit Akaroa and Christchurch again soon!

Don't Miss Giant's House, Skip the Rest

Doug S, Nov 2019

I honestly cannot fathom why the urban sprawl and uninteresting Christchurch is a place you need to visit EXCEPT for the massive and diverse botanical gardens. HOWEVER, we were given a half hour there which is quite honestly criminally too short. The drive each way through beautiful rolling hills just didn't justify the trip in any way. Giant's House is the place to visit...find another trip as do not miss it. It was a highlite of our entire cruise.

Response from Host, Nov 2019

In all cases we aim to meet and where possible exceed our customers excepations. It is disappointing when we receive reviews such as this one, especially where the customer has not enjoyed the beautiful scenery through Banks Peninsula or Christchurch City with its interesting history of earthquakes and the rebuild taking place there, some find this to be the absolute highlight of their cruise. For those not interested in seeing this magnificent scenery and the beautiful city of Christchurch we do have a local cruise excusion which also includes the Giants House.

A disappointment

Mark_G, Nov 2019

First, we were crammed into a minibus with totally inadequate legroom. Second, there were long drives to and from Christchurch and the city itself had little to offer. Giants House was great, although we did not have enough time there due to our late arrival.

Response from Host, Nov 2019

Thank you for your feedback an I am sorry to learn that you were disappointed with the excursion. I am unsure why you felt cramped in the tour vehicle , this was a brand new 17 passenger seat Ford Transit with coach seating. Most passengers prefer this type of vehicle and small group touring over the larger coaches. In all cases we aim to meet and where possible exceed our customers excepations. It is disappointing when we receive reviews such as this one, especially where the customer has not enjoyed the beautiful scenery through Banks Peninsula or Christchurch City with its interesting history of earthquakes and the rebuild taking place there, some find this to be the absolute highlight of their cruise. For those not interested in seeing this magnificent scenery and the beautiful city of Christchurch we do have a local cruise excusion which also includes the Giants House.