Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
While your ship is in port in Akaroa Harbour, take a shore excursion to tour the scenic Banks Peninsula and visit the city of Christchurch. You’ll see how Christchurch is emerging from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake. Take a brief stroll through the city’s beautiful botanic gardens and admire New Zealand’s magnificent scenery.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces 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
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
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.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
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.
What‘s Included
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour
Reviews
228 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tour gives good overview for cruise passengers in Akaroa
191dieterf,,Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Good tour for cruise guests to get an overview of Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula. The driver/guide gave a lot of background information. In Christchurch you had plenty of time to explore the centre on your own.
Great local guide and added Sea Lion sighting
Betsy G,,Jan 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris 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.
Not on the tour I purchased.
Nancy B,,Jan 14, 2024
- Review from Viator
1.00The 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.
Nice trip with pleasant sights.
Richard W,,Feb 15, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00The 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.
too much time on thr...
Nicolas M,,Feb 1, 2023
- Review from Viator
2.00too 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
Family reunion at Matariki
Shirley-Ann M,,Jul 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We stayed at Ridgecliff Accrington Farmhouse on Chorlton Road. Our Matariki weekend was a family reunion. There were sixteen of us and we all fitted into the lovely old farmhouse in proper beds it wasn't necessary to sleep the young ones on the furniture or the floor. The Farmhouse catered for babies with a cot and high chair. The garden was large enough for the children to kick a ball. Firewood was provided and we enjoyed sitting around the fire reminiscing about the old days a perfect place with walks and history in the surrounding area. Thoroughly enjoyed every second of our stay. We will go back.
Didn't really see a whole lot
Jamtraveltips,,May 17, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Our full day, small group tour of Christchurch began in Akaroa and was given by Ian. It took us about an hour and a half to get to the city of Christchurch from Akaroa. The scenes along the Banks Peninsula of rich farmlands, green hills, gorgeous clear waters and mountains were just magnificent. We ended up in the Central City of Christchurch, but we really didn't have time to see much. We didn't have any time to explore the Botanic Gardens or the Museum, we didn't get to see much of the CBD at all! We had about an hour to have lunch, and we did have a lovely lunch. However, I wouldn't do this tour again.
Waste of a Day
Sharon C,,Apr 14, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Although the bus left on time and we were aware of the travel time to Christchurch, we didn’t expect to have only 30 minutes at the botanical gardens (also a bathroom stop). Unfortunately our driver Steve wasn’t the best. The bus didn’t start after our 30 minute stop and he didn’t explain anything to the people on the bus, except for those in the first two rows who he spoke to often without using the microphone. After being stuck for 30 minutes off we went without any explanations of what had been wrong with the bus. We then stopped for an hour and then we drove and drove and drove. I should add our driver seemed to have problems shifting gears and was constantly the only bus to pull into the passing area so other buses and cars could go by. We didn’t realize that the major of the day would be spent on a bus.....over 6 hours of driving. We arrived back at the port at 5:15. I would definitely not recommend this tour.
Worth Seeing
Gregory H,,Apr 8, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative & engaging representative. Gave personal insight into sights & went out of his way to accommodate wishes.
Somewhat disappointing
Honest,,Mar 25, 2020
- Review from Viator
3.00The 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.
From NZ$145.00
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