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Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour
Akaroa, New Zealand
- 6 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Travel from Akaroa Harbour on this shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region.
- Banks Peninsula and Christchurch shore excursion from Akaroa Harbour
- Admire the breathtaking scenery of Akaroa Harbour and the Southern Alps
- Take a walk through Christchurch Botanical Gardens
- See the devastating effects of Christchurch's 2011 earthquake and the old CBD
- Visit the coastal towns of Sumner and Lyttleton
- Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
What's Included
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Driver/guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- The Britomart CannonAkaroa 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
When your ship pulls into Akaroa Harbour, you’re picked up at the port for your shore excursion. Get settled comfortably aboard the coach for the drive to Christchurch, traveling a scenic route along the Akaroa Highway through the Banks Peninsula. On the journey through the Canterbury Plains—a farmland region east of the Southern Alps—hear narration about the highlights you pass.
On arrival at your destination, hop off the coach at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for a stroll with your guide, and learn about one of New Zealand’s most impressive collections of native and exotic plants.
Your city tour continues with a drive around the old CBD to observe recovery efforts since the damaging 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Your guide provides information on each landmark before stopping for lunch (own expense) in the beach suburb of Sumner. See the coastal town of Lyttleton and view Christchurch from the hills above during the leisurely return to the Akaroa cruise port in the afternoon.
Worry-free Shore Excursion: We ensure your timely return to the Akaroa cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
On arrival at your destination, hop off the coach at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for a stroll with your guide, and learn about one of New Zealand’s most impressive collections of native and exotic plants.
Your city tour continues with a drive around the old CBD to observe recovery efforts since the damaging 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Your guide provides information on each landmark before stopping for lunch (own expense) in the beach suburb of Sumner. See the coastal town of Lyttleton and view Christchurch from the hills above during the leisurely return to the Akaroa cruise port in the afternoon.
Worry-free Shore Excursion: We ensure your timely return to the Akaroa cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Akaroa Village Inn (Pass By)
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Christchurch Cathedral
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lyttelton (Pass By)
Sign of the Takahe (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.0
227 reviews
Betsy_G, Jan 2024
Chris is a local and knows the history and interesting places. He even took our grouo to a small off the beaten track beach to watch a sea lion feeding her baby in the dunes.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Kiaora Betsy and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed your
tour with Chris!
Nancy_B, Jan 2024
The tour I was put in went to a wildlife park and I did not purchase that tour. I was supposed to be on the tour with more time in Christchurch. The guide was very rude about anything you asked her. Disgusting wasted day.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Nancy purchased the excursion through Viator / TripAdvisor, a third party OTA and was placed on the tour that was booked, which included Willowbank. Both the tour that Nancy travelled on and the excursion she thought she had booked cover exactly the same ground, however, whilst the Christchurch Sightseeing Tour has some free time in the central city the option with Willowbank does not. Had Nancy asked the driver to drop them her in the central city instead of being abusive and disruptive towards the driver then this could have simply been arranged. What is most disappointing is that everybody else on the tour knew what they had booked and had a great day.
Richard_W, Feb 2023
The scenery was very pretty. Our driver was knowledgeable about the area. We enjoyed seeing the sights.
Unfortunately, our driver was unfamiliar with the bus and had some trouble driving it. Nothing that was dangerous but it was disconcerting.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Kiaora Richard, thanks for your review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour. I have addressed the issues with our drivers knowledge of our vehicles to ensure this will not occur again. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Nicolas_M, Feb 2023
too much time on thr coach. therefore we only had 1 hour in Christchurch and this made it a rushed visit.
the boat docked early, the trip could easily set off at 9:30 giving us more time in Christchurch
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Nicolas
As you are aware Akaroa is a tender port and although the cruise ship may come into port early everyone has to come ashore by tender which takes time. We had around 200 passengers on our various shore excursion from Akaroa and we were still checking passengers in at 10.20 for a 10.30 departure. The cruise ship could depart later which would give us more time, however, with a 5 pm last tender we have to get everyone back before then so the tour timing is very much dedicated by the cruise ship and not us.
Gregory_H, Apr 2020
Very informative & engaging representative. Gave personal insight into sights & went out of his way to accommodate wishes.
Response from Host, Aug 2020
Thank you for taking the time to submit your review. I am pleased to learn that you had such a great day
and enjoyed the tour so much. I do hope you have the opportunity to visit New Zealand again.
Honest, Mar 2020
The drive to Christchurch from Akaroa is very beautiful and offers gorgeous NZ landscapes. However, we found our drive to be disappointing in terms of our guide. He did not introduce himself in the beginning (which we think is a must) and we felt his attitude was "just get the job done". He was a very good driver (necessary on windy, mountainous roads) but lacked personal "joy d'vie". The tour offered as advertised but we found it a long day.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to submit your review. We appreciate your feedback and acknowledge that all reviews are subjective. I am sorry that driver of the excursion did not meet your expectations which is surprising given all of the other great reviews for this excursion.
Patricia, Mar 2020
This excursion was very poorly planned. There was some delay at the Port with our group bus not arriving on time, we were taken in a large bus to the Museum in Christchurch, where we had only 20 minutes to see the museum and the adjacent Botanical Gardens. This was the main attraction for me, and it was very disappointing not to have the opportunity to see very much there. When we were seated on a smaller bus for the rest of the tour, although it was a new vehicle, it was so crowded and seats so small that it was uncomfortable.
After a short drive in the City we stopped for lunch but were told that there was no time to have lunch in a restaurant, just 30 minutes so we could pick up something from a take-out. This was not as described when we purchased this tour. We then drove back to the Ship. The route was long, and we had one stop along the way at Little River where there were restrooms and a small store. The drive after that, back to the Ship, seemed dangerously fast on the hilly and curved road. Basically we drove all day and had 3 short stops where we could not really experience or enjoy the City. The tour drive was fine in explaining the sites that we did see but it was not a good experience over all.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
It is always disappointing to receive a poor review especially for an excursion which constantly receives 5 star reviews. We acknowledge that all reviews are subjective, however, the reviewer has been disingenuous at best with the facts. As you will see from the other reviews the excursion is very well organized, however, what the reviewer has failed to mention is that Akaroa is a tender port and on the day of travel the cruise ship was slow at tendering and the reviewer and some of the other passengers were late in coming ashore. The main coaches had already departed with the customers who had arrived on time and the reviewer and some other late passengers were transported in smaller back up vehicles which were held in reserve for those that maybe running late. Had the reviewer been ashore prior to the scheduled departure time of 10.30 there would have been no waiting for some other passengers who were also running late and I am sure the excursion would have meet or exceeded her exceptions.
Cynthia_B, Mar 2020
Driver was from area and gave us so much history, stories, and facts. Very comfortable ride and beautiful sites.
Response from Host, Apr 2020
Thanks for the awesome review Cynthia! I'm really happy you had an awesome time on your Christchurch Sightseeing Tour from Akaroa Port. It's fantastic that you had learnt so much from your driver/guide and I truly hope you get to return to this country someday soon!
Sherryn_M, Mar 2020
My group of 12 had a wonderful day travelling from Akaroa to Christchurch. I thought it would be just a coach ride but our driver was very informative and knowledgeable. He took us to lots of sights along the way and gave us playoff time to look around.
Response from Host, Apr 2020
Thanks for the awesome review, Sherryn! I'm really happy you had such a nice time on your Akaroa shore excursion to Christchurch. Regarding your comments, its great to hear you enjoyed the commentary of your driver. I'll be sure to pass on your kind words. It's also nice to hear you were pleasantly surprised to have a local guide with you. All of our shore excursions include commentary throughout from a local driver/guide - each are particularly knowledgeable about the Akaroa, Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula.
Thanks again and I hope you return to New Zealand one day soon!
sharyn_m, Mar 2020
what a great and thrilling trip , Phil the driver was very informative and knowledgeable, any opportunity to get a great photo or more info as always was an easy task for Phil to achieve. his vast knowledge was the most important part of the day. What a place to visit
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thanks again Sharyn for another fantastic review, this time for your Banks Peninsula and Christchurch Sightseeing Tour. It's great to hear you had such a wonderful time on your shore excursion from Akaroa Port, especially thanks to your driver/guide, Phil. I'll certainly be sure to pass on your kind words to him. It sounds like you had a great on your cruise ship throughout New Zealand and I really hope you get to return someday soon!
...
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