Welcome to Akaroa, our alternative port for Christchurch, New Zealand this year!
Explore Canterbury understands that you only have a day in port and want to see and enjoy as much as you can in that day. With this in mind we have specifically designed some options for you to choose from.
Our most popular request is a shore excursion from Akaroa that takes you around Akaroa, through the wonderful scenery of the surrounding remote bays and has the option of visiting remote Paua Bay Hillcountry Farm or visiting a superb garden in remote Fisherman's Bay. We call this Akaroa and the Bays.
Also very popular is our sightseeing tour of Christchurch and surrounds. We call this tour The Best of Christchurch and it is one that can be done from either Lyttelton or Akaroa.
Both these tours and our other day tours are available as Private Hire and we would be delighted to hear from you whether you are one person or a small group. Please see our Private Day Tour suggestions listed below.
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AKAROA AND THE BAYS
Collect you at the Akaroa jetty between 8.30 and 9.00am.
Depart 9.00am
We take a short orientation drive around Akaroa then on to Okains Bay on the north side of the Peninsula. Okains is an old area which, when first settled, supported a substantial community with school and cheese factory. A fertile valley, it is a good farming area. There is a very interesting Maori and Colonial Museum here which is locally run and well worth a visit. The two wakas (Maori canoes) stored here are used each year in Treaty of Waitangi celebrations. Our plan is to then have morning tea, New Zealand style, down here on the waterfront.
From Okains we would then drive around the headlands to Little Akaloa, another very beautiful north facing bay, then back to the Summit road we get expansive views down the Akaroa harbour right out to the heads. Hilltop, a tavern at the top of the hill, is a good place to have lunch.
In the afternoon we visit Birdling Flat, a wild stony beach in stark contrast to the tranquil bays we have seen; Little River and then, heading back to Akaroa we can visit the Barry's Bay Cheese Factory before diverting out to the Onawe Peninsula, site of the original Maori Pa in this Akaroa area.
We arrive back in Akaroa around mid afternoon which allows us ample time to explore the township of Akaroa, our own most popular local holiday resort, before going back to the jetty and your ship.
For groups of 4 to 8 persons we can incorporate the following options:
1. A visit to remote Paua Bay Hillcountry Farm to enjoy the hospitality of fifth generation farmers, Murray and Sue Johns. You can watch sheepdogs working on the steep hills of Paua Bay and see how sheep are shorn. Afterwards you are invited to enjoy traditional New Zealand hospitality on the homestead verandah. Sue's fresh home made scones are well renowned.
2. A visit to the gardens at Fisherman's Bay. How do you really describe this tranquil two hectare garden haven set right in the rugged and dramatic landscape of this Banks Peninsula coastline? A truly New Zealand garden, it has winding paths, sweeping views and a strong focus on New Zealand native plants. A special place.
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Tour cost per person: NZ$130
Minimum of 4 persons required.
Group rates on enquiry.
With Garden option NZ$135
Cost includes morning tea and
entry to the Okains Bay museum
and Fisherman's Bay Garden
Lunch is not included in the tour
price.
With Sheep Farm option NZ$165
Cost includes morning tea,
entry to the Okains Bay museum
and Paua Bay Hillcountry Farm.
Lunch is not included in the tour
price.
Private Hire:
If you wish to arrange this day
with your own group then please
contact us with your request.
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THE BEST OF CHRISTCHURCH
A shore excursion which leaves from either Akaroa or Christchurch, depending on where you disembark. It gives you a good overview of Christchurch and her setting on the edge of the Canterbury Plains with the Port Hills as backdrop. You get to visit historic bush remnants now enclosed by the city and our beautiful gardens. We also ensure you get the opportunity to visit some of our well known and renowned attractions.
Depart Akaroa 9.00am
It is a beautiful drive to Christchurch travelling round the Akaroa harbour, over the hill and then round to Christchurch. When almost there we climb to the top of the Port Hills and wind our way along the tops via the Summit Road. From here there are breathtaking views right down into Lyttelton harbour in one direction and in the other breathtaking views over Christchurch and across the Canterbury Plains to the distant snow covered Alps.
Down in Christchurch, we take in a few of our well known local attractions - Mona Vale, Deans Bush, and the Botanic Gardens. In the city itself our "New Start" novel shopping precinct, one block from our Cathedral, is great to visit. We will be proud to show you the progress being made in the process of rebuilding our city.
If you are especially interested in visiting the Antarctic Centre, or seeing a kiwi, or going punting on the Avon, we will make time to visit these special local attractions. Don't know what Punting is? Follow the link below.
Punting on the Avon - yes, Christchurch's English heritage still shows;
The Antarctic Centre - a world renowned attraction which needs a minimum of two hours;
Willowbank Wildlife Park - an opportunity to see kiwis and other wildlife.
Your tour ends with the drive back to Akaroa and your ship.
Return Akaroa 4.15pm
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Tour cost per person NZ$110.
Minimum 4 persons required.
Lunch is not included but can be
arranged for you.
Group rates or Private Hire on
enquiry.
Prices for punting, the Antarctic
Centre or Willowbank are not
included in the tour price.
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