Akaroa Shore Excursion: Harbour, Giants House & Cheese Factory
A volcanic crater rim frames the whole harbour in one afternoon.
A 2.5-hour guided shore excursion from Akaroa Wharf explores the township, Akaroa Harbour and Banks Peninsula with stops at Summit Road for views, a cheese factory for tastings, and the Giants House for a guided tour of its gardens and mosaic sculptures. The tour is scheduled to work with cruise ship arrival and departure times, and includes driver-guide, air-conditioned coach transport, and return to the wharf.
Step-by-step itinerary
Akaroa Harbour and Giants House tour
- Drive through Akaroa Harbour
- Stop for photos along Summit Road
- Visit Hilltop Tavern for coffee or tea
- Stop at Cheese Factory for tastings
- Guided tour of Giants House gardens
- Return to Akaroa Wharf or explore on foot
What’s included
- Driver-guide in English.
- air-conditioned coach transport.
- pickup and drop-off at Akaroa Wharf.
- guided tour of the Giants House with its gardens and mosaic sculptures.
- cheese tastings at the local factory in Barry's Bay.
Times
- Every day 11:00
Before you book
Operated by Leisure Tours
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The coach picks you up at Akaroa Wharf and drives through the township and inner bays before climbing Summit Road along the old volcanic crater rim. The route stops for photographs and a break at the Hilltop Tavern near the crater's summit, where views open across the harbour and peninsula. From there the road descends to Barry's Bay, where the Cheese Factory offers tastings of local cheese you can buy to take with you.
Back in Akaroa, the final stop is the Giants House, where a guide leads you through the gardens and explains the mosaic sculptures. After the tour ends, your coach can return you to the wharf or you can stay and explore the township on foot. The whole excursion runs 2.5 hours, which leaves time to account for cruise ship boarding windows: the operator adjusts the schedule if your ship's timetable requires it.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary on the harbour's history and the crater rim views without translation. Book this one if you want the main sights of Akaroa and Banks Peninsula in one short excursion timed to your cruise ship's schedule.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3).
How long does the Akaroa shore excursion take?
The tour runs 2.5 hours from pickup at the wharf, including all stops and the guided tour of the Giants House. The operator adjusts timing if your cruise ship's schedule requires it.
What is the Giants House?
The Giants House is a local attraction in Akaroa with gardens and mosaic sculptures. A guide leads the tour through both as the final stop on the excursion.
Will I have time to taste the local cheese?
Yes, a stop at the Cheese Factory in Barry's Bay includes tastings of local cheese, and you can purchase any you want to take with you.
Does the tour include pickup from my cruise ship?
Pickup and drop-off happen at Akaroa Wharf. At booking, provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the operator can time the tour to your schedule.
What views does Summit Road offer?
Summit Road runs along the rim of the old volcanic crater and affords views across Akaroa Harbour and the Banks Peninsula. The coach stops for photographs and a break at the Hilltop Tavern near the summit.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The coach and all stops are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.
Akaroa Shore Excursion: Harbour, Giants House & Cheese Factory
2h 30m · EN
from NZ$ 99 per person
≈ US$ 57 in your currency
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