Akaroa Shore Excursion: Comprehensive Christchurch City and Antarctic Centre Tour

134 Ratings

Akaroa

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Experience the grand architecture and beautiful gardens of Christchurch on a comprehensive shore excursion from Akaroa port. Visit the popular International Antarctic Centre for a Snow and Ice Experience, Blue Penguin Encounter, and an exhilarating ride in an all-terrain Hagglund vehicle.

Duration: 6 hours

Cancellation: 6 days

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Highlights

Akaroa Village Inn - First you will be collected at the park at the end of Akaroa Wharf (opposite the Akaroa Village Inn) at 10.30am and driven through the village of Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula with stunning views of rolling hills, lakes and coastlines before arriving in Christchurch.

What's Included

Thrilling Hagglund vehicle ride
Guidance from local experts
Convenient port pickup and drop-off
Viator’s worry-free policy ensures timely ship return

What's Not Included

Food and drinks

Additional Information

When your ship docks at Akaroa, enjoy the awe-inspiring buildings and picturesque gardens of Christchurch. This shore excursion from Akaroa port also takes you on a captivating journey through the Banks Peninsula and offers access to Christchurch’s best-loved attraction, the International Antarctic Centre. Make the most of the Centre’s Snow and Ice…

Location

The Britomart Cannon

From the Main Wharf in Akaroa, head down to the end where you will see the Akaroa I-Site and a small park on the right-hand side. Next to the Canon statue, a representative will be waiting for you. Please arrive by 10.15am for a 10.30am departure.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings

3.9

(134 Ratings)

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Helen_b

Mar 23, 2023

This excursion was a lot... - This excursion was a lot of fun. The Antarctic centre was an amazing experience. Do ride in the hugland was a great experience as well. Loved the whole tour .

Review provided by Viator

Tom_h

Jan 16, 2023

Outstanding Service and Real Nice Tour - We started off with a mix up between the time and place we should be to begin the tour and the tour left without us. To save our day Kevin from Leisure Tours drove us along the tour route personally and caught us up to the tour bus by lunch in time to join the bus to the antarctic research center. I tried to add pictures but they wouldn't load. We are grateful to Kevin and the culture of excellence in customer service at Leisure Tours.

Review provided by Viator

Nina_s

Mar 17, 2020

Wonderful day! - We had a wonderfully knowledgeable guide and driver who took us from Akaroa on the Banks peninsula to Christchurch. I was very interested in the rebuilding of the city after the earthquake. The botanical garden was a welcome stop after an hour long bus ride and the Antarctic Museum was fascinating. The Haglund vehicle ride was a hoot. The museum cafeteria was the only lunch option with very limited time, choices and service. Otherwise a wonderful day in New Zealand.

Review provided by Viator

Jerinette_w

Feb 19, 2020

Fantastic tour - Scotty was a great guide. We were lucky the cafe at the Antarctic center was pretty empty so we all were able to have a bite to eat. Loved the Hagglund ride!

Review provided by Viator

Briand832

Feb 3, 2024

Worth a visit, but, check numbers taking part - A fascinating tour round the area which was, unfortunately, spoiled by some appalling rain!! The driver did well keeping us entertained and we all felt sorry for him!! The trip included the Antarctic exhibition - however, Leisure tours refused to take us there as there weren't enough people on the trip - I was angry!!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Frances_janet

Feb 25, 2020

Christchurch and Antarctic - I would have left a 5* review and Scotty and the guide at the Antarctic Centre were both excellent but had to deal with a majority of passengers who were in a group of Spanish speakers who did not understand English. This meant they talked a lot among themselves on the bus while Scotty was giving us information and they kept lagging behind at the Antarctic Centre. Really interesting to learn about the problems they have had in Christchurch and the reasons for recovery taking a number of years. Scotty had an enormous amount of knowledge to share with us. The Antarctic Centre visit was good but seemed a bit rushed due to problems mentioned above.

Review provided by Viator

Bob_b

Feb 17, 2020

Great experience - Loved the Antarctic centre - but not enough time there. Perhaps it should be 2 separate tours. Felt rushed. But guide was fantastic.

Review provided by Viator

Sweeps86

Mar 8, 2024

Not enough time to see the International Antarctic Center - Today was a bit problematic. I would not recommend this tour. Some of it was Leisure Tours and some was the International Antarctic Center. We were asked to arrive at 10:15am to leave at 10:30am. At 10:45am we were still waiting for people who never arrived. So the 90 minute drive to Christchurch was fast and furious. No time for the Botanical Gardens. It was never even mentioned. Arriving in Christchurch we split into 3 groups and with a quick talk through town arrived at the International Antarctic center (IAC). First thing the IAC tells us the Hagglund ride is not included even though it is stated in the description. Finally they give in after an argument. Now we are on a race to see as much of the center as we can in 90 minutes since that is all the time we have in order to get back to Akaroa in time for our departure. We didn’t get to have the penguin experience, didn’t see the huskey presentation and despite standing in line for 30 minutes of our previous time we got turned away from the Hagglund the 2nd time and could not wait any longer we had to go. In summary the drive is too long to have enough time to see the attraction and the attraction was way overbooked today. Find something closer to the port. There was some discussion of partial refund from the IAC but I’m not holding my breath

Review provided by Tripadvisor

David_w

Mar 27, 2020

Christchurch - Not so great. We spent most of our time driving to and from Christchurch. Once there, we had time to visit the Antarctic Center. We were given 15 minutes to visit the museum and Gardens. Not close to enough time.

Review provided by Viator

Tracie_c

Feb 24, 2020

Too rushed and too little to recommend - Sadly left late from the port due to waiting for others has very little time it seemed in Christchurch and even less at the arctic centre which was horribly rushed no time to even eat... the guide was hard to hear as we were constantly overlapping with other groups and it all felt a bit something and nothing. Wish we had spend more time on either Akoroa or the Christchurch area.... a quick drive around Christchurch was not worth the hour and a half to get there and ten minutes toilet break at the museum before being whisked off to the arctic centre. Wouldn’t recommend it was the most expensive of our tours and the least enjoyable.

Review provided by Viator

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up to 15 guests

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