Akaroa Day Tour from Christchurch

Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, head out along the road to Akaroa to begin your tour. Pass scenic local highlights such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River, and capture the country’s breath-taking beauty on camera, travel over the beautiful Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The aptly named "Hill Top" gives glorious views of Akaroa Harbor & the remote bays and farmlands. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village, the only French settlement established in New Zealand.

Visit the Barry's Bay Cheese Factory for a cheese tasting of locally made cheeses, the only remaining cheese factory on the peninsula from a bygone era. Next you can enjoy the quaint colonial architecture and wander around the charming 150 year old French harbor side village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers' history, art and craft shops and studios and al fresco cafes and wine bars.

Lunch at the popular Bully Hayes Restaurant nestled in the Akaroa Village, In the afternoon enjoy a 2 hour nature and harbor cruise on the Canterbury Cat, you'll experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector's dolphins, as you hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. The Hector's Dolphin is the world's smallest oceanic dolphin.

In the late-afternoon, hop back aboard your coach for the drive back to your Christchurch hotel, where your tour will come to an end.