On departing Akaroa Wharf the tour will initially take in the township of Akaroa before travelling by road through the inner bays of the harbor. You will be provided a very informative, entertaining and scenically stunning tour of the township, the inner bays and a portion of Banks Peninsula.

Next up, a stop will be made at the Cheese Factory in Barry’s Bay, the only commercially operating cheese factory in the region. You will be educated on how this local cheese is produced and then take time for some tastings.

Continue your journey by climbing the road to the Hill Top, an historic hotel and the original stagecoach stop and horse exchange. With sweepingly magnificent views of the harbor, the tour then continues along the scenically stunning Summit Road which will afford you spectacular photo opportunities of the Northern Bays of Banks Peninsula and on a clear day looking north you will see both the Southern Alps and the Kaikoura Mountains.

On returning to Akaroa the tour will stop at the Giant’s House where a guided tour has been arranged for your enjoyment. The Giant’s House with a beautifully landscaped garden is where the artist Josie Martin is in residence. A guided tour of the home and gardens awaits as you explore this created fantasy world of sculptured mosaics.

The tour then concludes back at the Akaroa Wharf area where you will have free time on your own.

This award-winning cruise has been voted by local New Zealanders as the best wildlife spotting activity in New Zealand. You will cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife. Traveling onboard a modern catamaran, this vessel is perfect for viewing the natural wonders of Akaroa Harbor, offering lots of room on the two decks for unimpeded viewing and plenty of covered seating for shade and shelter. The cruise is fully narrated by your skipper, who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife, and history of the harbor.

This excursion strives to show you wildlife as well as many sea caves and volcanic cliffs. Millions of years ago Akaroa Harbor was a live volcano, and there are much spectacular ancient lava flows to be seen. One cliff has a sheer 500-foot face and a fascinating history, while Nikau Palm Gully is the southernmost limit for these tropical palm trees. There is also the incredible Scenery Nook, an amazing pink, purple, and red volcanic amphitheater that is sure to take your breath away.

The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector’s or New Zealand Dolphin. These friendly and inquisitive mammals meet the boat most days throughout the year and their calves can be seen between October and March.

Also on the trip you will catch glimpses of fur seals, and the White Flippered Blue Penguin –the smallest penguin in the world. There are many different bird species in the harbor, including five different cormorants (shag) species, albatross, and the endangered yellow-eyed penguin.

There will also be a stop at Lucas Bay to look at a salmon farm where thousands of salmon from fingerlings to adult fish are farmed.

This wonderful Banks Peninsula and Christchurch shore excursion begins as you depart Akaroa and embark on a scenic drive that provides stunning views of the peninsula, an ancient volcano that now forms the peninsula, and its crater that now forms the harbor. Travel via the Akaroa Highway past Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere, a natural haven for birds and other wildlife.

Upon arrival to Christchurch and following a stop at the botanical gardens, enjoy a sightseeing tour that both highlights the damage and recovery after the earthquakes that rocked the city between 2010 and 2012 and showcases the city landmarks: the Bridge of Remembrance, the Canterbury Museum, as well as the Art Gallery and the Art Center. Other sights include the badly earthquake damaged Christchurch Cathedral, and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The city center is currently under construction with both demolition and rebuilding underway. Due to road closures and new areas re-opening, road access can change on a daily basis.

After leaving the inner city the tour travels to the beach suburb of Sumner, where there will be a brief stop and an opportunity to buy lunch (at your own expense) at one of the local cafes or bakeries. The tour then continues to the port of Lyttleton (where ships berthed before the earthquakes), before driving up to the Sign of the Takahe on the Port Hills –named after a flightless native New Zealand bird, and then a roadhouse built in the 1920’s for those weary travelers walking from Lyttleton over the Port Hills to Christchurch. From this view point you will have spectacular views over the city of Christchurch, Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps.