What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Great Scenery

  Welch,,Mar 18, 2020

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  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.

• Well organized

  KwokChuWilson Y,,Feb 16, 2020

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  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.

• Perfect Day

  dalmorelodge,,Feb 1, 2020

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  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.

• Blown Away

  716christinan,,Jan 19, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Finding our tour organiser was simple - we were given clear instructions and updates through the TripAdvisor app - and we found our tour and boarded our mini-van. Janet, our driver was immensely knowledgeable and gave us information on everything. Our seats at the back of the van gave us quite a decreased view, but this was offset with plenty of quick stops for panoramic photo opportunities. Honestly some of the most breathtaking views ever. The journey to Christchurch was 90 minutes, which we were prepared for. Janet gave a great commentary on the heartbreak and triumph that is Christchurch today. As well as points of interest, spectacular street art, and development/destruction, she also pointed out potential lunch spots and toilets - important info for us travellers👍👍 - and then gave us two stops for sightseeing and then lunch. Our trip home was a different road - a mixture of a steep decline - lunch did not enjoy that bit - totally my own fault - and then flat plains with a strong wind that was determined to blow us back to Australia!! Janet delivered us safely to our division point, where half our group went to a farm visit and we continued on with a new driver to The Giant’s House at Akaroa. Luckily Rob was quite outgoing and comedic which made the transition quite smooth. Two of our group members had sustained injuries previously so Rob organised to bring us in closer than normal to the Giant’s House - thank you for going above and beyond what was required, I don’t think two of our group would have gotten in otherwise. And this was definitely well worth the effort to get into! Absolutely loved this artist’s vision of a fantasy garden-scape. Thanks CLT for an amazing day.

  

  

• Don't Take This Tour if You're Taller that 5'5"

  SewingGolfer,,Jan 15, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  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.

• Visit to Akaroa and Christ Church

  338LSK,,Jan 14, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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.

• Not enough time

  peter2432019,,Jan 13, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  Transfer from the ship was dealyed, so we arrived at 1032 at the meeting point, our bus had already left and we needed to take another one. 120 seconds seemed too much... 45 minutes in Christchurch for Sightseeing at University, then 45 minutes in CBD to get some takeaway food, not a single photostop during the trip to and from Christchurch... Stop at giants house was late and not much time either, had we decided to take the bus to go back. So we decided to walk back to the ship, which gaves us some extra minutes

• Exceptional Customer Service

  Gogogram63,,Jan 6, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  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!

• Visit to Akaroa

  757israelb,,Dec 25, 2019

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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

• Visiting the Giant's House is whimsical and fun!

  ruthmC1267QX,,Dec 13, 2019

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  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.

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