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AKA-15 | Banks Peninsula & Giants House Local Tour | 3.00 hrs
Enjoy this local 3 hour sightseeing shore excursion of Akaroa exploring the beautiful township, harbour including a stop at a local cheese factory for tasting and a guided tour of the famous Giants House with its beautiful sculptures and gardens.
AKA-12 | 4WD 2 hour Scenic Nature Tour | 2.00 hrs
Come with us as we monitor penguin nesting boxes and learn of the conservation work we do in the largest colony of little penguins on mainland New Zealand. This tour is a shorter version of our 4 hour tour
AKA-11 | Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise | 2.00 hrs
Cruise aboard a modern 60 ft catamaran - the largest and most luxurious on the harbour - to view the natural wonders of the stunning Akaroa Harbour. See the Hectors Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seal, as well as penguins and many other sea birds.
AKA-8 | 4WD Sea Kayaking Safari | 4.00 hrs
Our adventure begins with a journey along 4WD tracks to the Pohatu Marine Reserve and our Kayaks. We will paddle to the outer coast of the Reserve to spectacular towering sea cliffs, sculpted by the sea into rock stacks, reefs, and deep sea caves, to see the wildlife up close.
AKA-6 | 4WD Scenic Nature Tour | 4.00 hrs
Pohatu is the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. Learn how owners Francis and Shireen Helps have worked over the last two decades to protect these White-flippered Penguins, Canterburys own variant of the Australasian Little Penguin. A good level of fitness is required.
AKA-5 | Willowbank Wildlife and City Tour | 6.00 hrs
A scenic drive around the Banks Peninsula brings us to Christchurch for a short city tour, then to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, situated on the outskirts of the city. Here you will be able to see native New Zealand wildlife and also exotic breeds from around the world.
AKA-3 | Christchurch and Antarctic Centre | 6.00 hrs
A scenic 90-minute drive from Akaroa by coach takes us into the heart of Christchurch, past Lake Ellesmere and through the farming district of the Canterbury Plains. A short break at the Botanic Gardens to look around and then to the Antarctic Centre.
AKA-13 | Christchurch Sights with Sheep Farm Tour | 6.00 hrs
Visit a working New Zealand sheep farm and combine it with a chance to see the ever-changing city of Christchurch. Get up close and personal with our woolly friends and enjoy a sheepdog demonstration.
AKA-9 | Akaroa Dolphin Swim | 2.50 hrs
A once in a lifetime experience on the ultimate dolphin encounter by swimming with the worlds smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hectors Dolphin. They are protected by a marine mammal sanctuary and our cruise gives you the chance to see these beautiful mammals close up.
AKA-10 | Dolphin Watching with AKA-9 | 2.50 hrs
If you are not able or keen to swim in the ocean then you can still experience the beauty of nature on our Dolphin Cruise to see the worlds smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hectors Dolphin, protected by a marine mammal sanctuary you will see them up close from the boat.
AKA-14 | Christchurch Sights with Jetboat Thrills | 6.00 hrs
See the highlights of Christchurch city, then take a 30 minute blast on one of Canterburys snowfed braided rivers. An adrenalin-filled experience not to be missed.
AKA-S2 | Luxury 4 seater wagon private tour | from 4.00 hrs - 4 persons
Book one of our luxury 4 passenger premium wagon driven by our experienced Guides. They will discuss the options with you on the day and make sure you see and do what you want, getting you back to the ship in good time.
AKA-S13 | Luxury Mercedes 6 seater private tour | from 4.00 hrs - 6 persons
Book our luxury 6 seater Mercedes V-Class LWB mini van driven by our experienced Guide. They will discuss the options with you on the day and make sure you see and do what you want, getting you back to the ship in good time.
AKA-S3 | Luxury 11 seater private tour | from 4.00 hrs - 11 persons
Book one of our comfortable 11 passenger luxury minibuses, driven by our experienced Guides. They will discuss the options with you on the day and make sure you see and do what you want, getting you back to the ship in good time.
AKA-S8 | Mobility Vehicle 4 seats and 1 wheelchair | from 4.00 hrs - 5 persons
Our specially adapted tour minibus can take one wheelchair user and up to 4 additional passengers. The experienced driver/guide will make sure you travel in comfort and safety and see and do whatever you want.
AKA-S11 | 21 seater mini coach | from 6.00 hrs - 21 persons
Book one of our comfortable 21 passenger mini coaches driven by our experienced guides. They will discuss the options with you on the day and make sure you see and do what you want, getting you back to the ship in good time.
Akaroa is an enchanting small settlement just 90 minutes drive from Christchurch, which it replaces as the port of call for most ships due to the recent earthquake. The town is steeped in history and was the location of the first French settlement on New Zealand soil and still promotes its French charm today.
Akaroa Harbour lies within the crater of a long extinct volcano and is a great place to embark on a short cruise to see marine wildlife that thrives in these sheltered waters, or join one of our tours to the city of Christchurch, as it starts its mammoth job of rebuilding after the recent earthquake.
Set on a beautiful, sheltered harbour and overlooked by craggy volcanic hills, Akaroa is a popular resort village and in summer the temporary population can reach 15,000.
Many Hector's Dolphins may be found within Akaroa harbour, and 'swim with the dolphins' boat tours are a major tourist attraction.
In 1830 the Maori settlement at Takapuneke, just east of the current village of Akaroa, became the scene of a notorious incident. The Captain of the British brig Elizabeth, John Stewart, helped North Island Ngti Toa chief, Te Rauparaha, to capture the local Ngai Tahu chief, Te Maiharanui, his wife Te Whe and his young daughter, Roi Mata. The settlement of Takapuneke was sacked. Concern over the complicity of John Stewart, amongst other lawlessness among Europeans in New Zealand, led to the appointment of an official British Resident James Busby to New Zealand in 1832 - the first step in the British involvement that led to the Treaty of Waitangi. In 1832 Te Rauparaha, fresh from his successful three-month siege of Kaiapoi, took the pa on the Onawe Peninsula at the head of Akaroa Harbour.
In 1838 Captain Jean Francois Langlois made a provisional purchase of land in "the greater Banks Peninsula" from Tuaanau. A deposit of commodities in the value of 6 pounds was paid and a further 234 pounds worth of commodities was to be paid at a later period. On his return to France, he advertised for settlers to come to New Zealand and ceded his interest in the land to the Nanto-Bordelaise Company, of which he became a part owner. On 9 March 1840, 63 emigrants left from Rochefort. The settlers embarked on the "Comte de Paris" - an old man-of-war ship given to them by the French government - for New Zealand. The "Comte de Paris" and its companion ship the "Aube" captained by Commodore Charles Francois Lavaud arrived in the Bay of Islands in the North Island on 11 July 1840, where they discovered that the Banks Peninsula had been claimed by the British. The French arrived in Akaroa on 18 August and established a settlement.
The area still has a French influence, reflected in many local placenames. Before 1840, the area of the current Akaroa village was also known as Wangaloa, and the subsequent French settlement was known as Port Louis-Philippe, named after the French king of the time.
After constantly refusing to recognise New Zealand as a British colony the Crown issued an Imperial Proclamation on 15 June 1839, which cited New Zealand as part of the British Realm. After being informed of the French intent to colonise Akaroa and use further as a whaling port, the English ship the "Britomart" was despatched in order to proclaim sovereignty for the Crown. The "Britomart" arrived in Akaroa on 16 August (although the captains' log shows this arrival date as the 11th of August in 1840), Captain Stanley raised the British flag and held a court at each of the occupied settlements.
James Robinson Clough, also known as Jimmy Robinson, had arrived at Akaroa several years before. He acted as interpreter for Captain Owen Stanley at the flag-raising of 1840, and was the first Pakeha to travel up the river Avon in 1843. Mr Robinson Clough's descendants are still prominent on the Peninsula today. The following English emigrants settled in both Akaroa and German Bay (Takamatua) along with many German farmers who set up dairy, sheep and cocksfoot farms.
Is there a bus service to Christchurch from Akaroa that we can use?
Not one suitable for cruise ship schedules, though there are some tours you can book that will get you to and from the city, which is a good 90 minute drive each way.
Is it far to walk into town when we get off the ships tenders?
No, the tender embarkation point is right in the centre of town. There are nice walks to the outer areas along the waterfront and also up into the hills.
Ship ETA and ETD does match the tour times, what can we do?
For most tour the tour start and end time can be adjusted to suit the ships arrival time [ETA] or its departure time [ETD], as the tours are run just for the cruise ship passengers. Some tour are also run for the general public [such as water based activities] and these tour can not be adjusted so will not be suitable for you. In such cases a warning is given when you try to book these tours and you should contact us for more information. Please note that cruise ships are now changing their ETA and ETD in port more frequently. If in doubt please contact us to confirm in case of last minute changes.
