Akaroa Day Tour: Giant's House & Dolphin Cruise

Pick your own pace through Banks Peninsula

This eight-hour small group tour from Christchurch explores Akaroa and Banks Peninsula with a local guide, visiting Birdlings Flat Beach, the harbour town of Akaroa, and Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve. You choose between the Giant's House mosaic sculpture garden or a dolphin and wildlife harbour cruise, then spend time in the village of Little River before returning to Christchurch. Lunch and morning and afternoon tea are included.

Options for this experience

2 options

From NZ$ 579 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Akaroa with The Giant's House 07:30 Guide in English The Giant's House: Tour the sculpture and mosaic garden at The Giant's House on a small group guided tour, with lunch, snacks and hot drinks. Travel by luxury car for 1 to 3 people or by minivan for 4 to 8 people. Pickup is included.

Akaroa with Dolphin/Harbour Cruise 07:30 Guide in English Dolphin/Harbour Cruise: Take a scenic cruise around Akaroa Harbour to spot dolphins and other wildlife, on a small group guided tour with lunch, snacks, and hot or cold drinks. Luxury car for 1 to 3 people; minivan for 4 to 8 people. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Akaroa and Banks Peninsula

• Drive from Christchurch to Birdlings Flat Beach
• Enjoy morning tea at Birdlings Flat Beach
• Drive to Akaroa
• Visit The Giant’s House or take dolphin and wildlife cruise
• Have café lunch and explore Akaroa shops
• Drive to Little River village
• Free time to see local art and ice cream in Little River
• Drive to Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve
• Afternoon tea and explore native bush at Kaituna Valley
• Drive to photo stop near Christchurch
• Enjoy panoramic views of Lyttelton Harbour
• Drive back to Christchurch
• Return to accommodation or meeting location

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide.
• lunch at a café in Akaroa.
• morning tea at Birdlings Flat Beach and afternoon tea at Kaituna Valley.
• air-conditioned vehicle with pickup included.

Times

• Every day 07:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 8 2 private ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 31 pickup points.

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Adventure by Nature

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Traveler reviews

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The experience

The day starts with a scenic drive from Christchurch to Birdlings Flat Beach, where you'll have morning tea on the rugged coast before heading to Akaroa: a fifty-minute drive through the landscape shaped by an extinct volcano. Your guide explains how that geology continues to shape the people who live here, turning the drive itself into part of the story.

Once in Akaroa, you choose what comes next: either visit the Giant's House, a garden filled with vibrant mosaic sculptures, or take a harbour cruise where you may spot Hector's dolphins, fur seals, and seabirds (subject to availability). After that experience, you have time to grab a café lunch, shop for souvenirs, or look at local artworks. The route then takes you to Little River, a tiny village between steep farmland and native bush, where locals come for food, art, and ice cream, and where you can walk through a historic railway station or just sit with a view.

Afternoon tea comes before the final stop at Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve, where an easy ten-minute loop track lets you walk among massive native Mati trees if you want to stretch your legs. The drive back to Christchurch includes a photo stop overlooking Lyttelton Harbour, and you'll be returned to your accommodation or meeting location by the end of the day.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What's the difference between the Giant's House and the dolphin cruise option?

The Giant's House is a mosaic sculpture garden in Akaroa town. The harbour cruise takes you out on the water to watch for Hector's dolphins, fur seals, and seabirds. The cruise option is subject to availability and replaces the Giant's House visit, so you pick one at checkout based on what appeals to you.

How much time do you actually spend in Akaroa itself?

After your chosen activity (either the Giant's House or the harbour cruise), you have time to have lunch at a café, shop, and explore the town's artworks and local businesses before the drive to Little River.

Is there walking involved, or can you stay in the vehicle the whole time?

Walking is optional. An easy ten-minute loop track is available at Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve if you want to stretch your legs among the native trees, but you're not required to do it. The rest of the day is spent in the vehicle or at stops where you can walk at your own pace.

What does the tour cover about the landscape and history?

Your guide explains how an enormous extinct volcano shaped the rugged Banks Peninsula landscape and continues to influence the people living there. You'll learn about the small settlements around Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbour as you visit them.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. The tour can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements. Let the operator know when you book.