Akaroa Shore Excursion: Akaroa Harbour and Giants House Local Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a local 2.5 hour guided sightseeing shore excursion of Akaroa exploring the beautiful township, harbour, and this portion of the Banks Peninsula. After being picked up from the Akaroa Wharf, your coach will travel through township and the inner bays of the Akaroa before arriving at a local cheese factory, for tastings, and travelling along the old volcanic crater rim for some magnificent views of the harbour and peninsula. Afterwards, head back into Akaroa for a guided tour of the famous Giants House, with its beautiful gardens and mosaic sculptures. This tour is perfect for those looking for a short tour of the local sights and attractions!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Please note that activity times and schedules can be slightly amended depending on your cruise ships timetable.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
What To Expect
Drive through the beautiful Akaroa Harbour and learn some amazing facts about the history of this area of New Zealand before driving along Summit Road with stops along the way for great photos.
Visit the Hilltop Tavern, close to the summit of the crater rim, which affords spectacular views and a short time for coffee or tea.
Options
Akaroa Shore Excursion: Akaroa Harbour and Giants House Local Tour
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointing Shore Excursion Akaroa NZ Tour
E8445INjoshuah,
Mar 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00After minimal sightseeing and two rushed 5 minute stops for pictures, driver wanted to drop group off at Giant’s House and leave. Told people to walk back to ship and then finally agreed to return in an hour. Tour was nowhere near 2.5 hours. Save your money and walk or cab to the Giant’s house on your own.
Unique experience
LukeW2332,
Jul 9, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really cute little place and the lady is lovely at the gate. A whacky but unique experience recommend highly ❤️
Giants House must see
Camper715744,
Apr 21, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We walked to the meeting spot once off the ship and boarded a small van. The van held about 15 people. We drove up to a spot that overlooked the harbour and the scenery was beautiful. It was a chilly windy day so I was glad I had brought my jacket. Our guide gave good information on the town and surrounding area. But, the highlight was the Giants House. It is a walk up a steep hill to get there and then there are stairs to climb but to us it was worth it. The artist Josie was there giving tours of the house. Her eclectic style was wonderful. There is something there for everyone to fall in love with. Her gardens are amazing and she has done it all. We spent over an hour walking around the gardens and took tons of pictures. You were not allowed to take pictures in the house but could take all you wanted outside. There is a small museum at the back with a video about her and some artwork for purchase. I highly recommend the Giants House if you are going to Akaroa. It was a highlight of our trip.
Not So Giant
Zennetta P,
Apr 20, 2020
- Review from Viator
3.00The bus trip was nice. I have a bad knee and it was hard to get up the hill to the Giant House. It was interesting Art work.
Akaroa & Surrounds
LynW207,
Mar 28, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were met ashore in Akaroa with a friendly welcome and to our surprise we were upgraded and we got to go to Christchurch as well. We toured the Banks Peninsula absolutely amazing views. In Christchurch we were able to see how much has happened to rebuild the city after the 2009 earthquake, it has been a mammoth task and much has happened since we visited in 2014. It is a beautiful city. We then came back to Akaroa and visited The Giants House. If you only do one thing in Akaroa this is a must, the owner has created a home & garden beyond belief. It was amazing. Overall, we thouroughly recommend this tour.
Worth Doing
K W,
Mar 19, 2020
- Review from Viator
4.00Good trip around key spots in Akaroa, knowledgeable driver, and Giants House is a must for anyone visiting. Cheese factory visit was a little disappointing as you don’t actually get to tour anything. Merely view limited activities from behind glass panels in the shop. Tricky to take cheese back given the need for refrigeration ! The timing was just about right - especially as Cruise ships tender into this port so you need to allow extra time for the process.
Outstanding tour with Scott!
David F,
Mar 11, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an incredible tour. our cruise ship tender experienced problems and we were one hour late meeting Scott, yet he still gave us the full tour. Scott was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and informative about our destinations. We were allowed ample time at each stop for photos and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Our tour vehicle was comfortable for our small group which made this tour much more enjoyable than the buses offered by the cruise ship tours. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit The Giants House! I highly recommend this tour as part of any visit to Akaroa.
Giants house
Cruisenkar,
Mar 1, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved the Giants house it was so unique With its tiered terraces and fabulous mosaics everywhere From paving to sculptures
Highly recommended
MaryB,
Feb 22, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00Great interesting tour, but the real shock was the Giants House. Wonderful art and garden interspersed. Witty and colourful. Highly recommend
OK but too long
BKGTrips,
Feb 20, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We booked this tour online since we were coming into Akaroa on a cruise. I just wanted a mini tour of the area and then was planning on walking around the town. What I got was two hours in a van touring the countryside and about an hour at the Giants house. The stop for coffee described was a mini stop for about 10 min so we could get out of the van. The tour was way to much time in the van and we personally felt the Giants house was OK to see but an hour was just to long to be stuck there. To be fair, the guide was pleasant and offered a lot of detail about the area. The drive was pretty but I just wasn't prepared to be trapped in a van for 2 hrs.
From NZ$99.00
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