The Giants House

The basics

The Giants House and its garden are popular stops for visitors to Akaroa and are included on many tours of the area. Tours often combine the property with other local activities, such as Akaroa Harbour cruises and tours of nearby Banks Peninsula. Even travelers with their own vehicles may find tours to be a convenient alternative to driving, as parking is limited on some of Akaroa’s narrower backstreets, while Banks Peninsula roads are both winding and narrow.

Things to know before you go

• An on-site café serves light lunches and afternoon tea during the summer months.

• Dogs are not permitted in the gardens.

• Visitors must navigate a steep driveway and stairs to access the house and gardens, so they’re not accessible with wheelchairs or strollers.

How to get there

The Giants House is located on Rue Balguerie, around a 10-minute drive from Akaroa Harbour. If you’re coming in your own vehicle, park on the street before entering the house’s steep driveway, as there is no parking at the top. If you’re coming from Christchurch by bus, get off at The Old Post Office on Rue Lavaud; it’s a roughly 8-minute walk from there to The Giants House.

When to get there

The Giants House is open every day aside from Christmas Day, generally from 11am, but closing time varies with the seasons. During the October to April summer months, when the gardens are at their peak, doors close in the late afternoon. Closing time is a little earlier during the rest of the year, when it’s typically quieter, too. Most visitors spend at least an hour here, sometimes more.

Things to do in Akaroa

Backdropped by spectacular Akaroa Harbour, this pretty, French-influenced town is a favorite day trip from Christchurch—and there’s plenty to see and do here. After visiting The Giants House, you could visit one of its cute cafés, then take a harbor cruise to spot the rare Hector’s dolphins. Or, walk down the street to the diminutive Akaroa Museum to learn about local history.