Enjoy your visit to beautiful Akaroa + The Bays
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there transport available to the gardens ?
1
This is a self drive tour to maximise the chances for flexibility and to enjoy the spaces in your own time.
2
How do I get to Akaroa harbour ?
Akaroa harbour is 1.5 hours from Christchurch via SHW 75 within stunning Banks Peninsula.
It is a largely scenic rural drive with opportunities to stop for fuel and food in Tai Tapu and Little River.
Enjoy beautiful changes of scenery on the way and take in the full magic of Akaroa harbour as you crest the hilltop of the crater.
Due to the landscape, the peninsula’s roads are winding, so put your car-sick prone person in the front seat and take your time.
Please be warned that map apps can sometimes send people down the wrong road. If you are heading to Akaroa village from Christchurch, please follow the main route of SHW 75 to the harbour’s edge.
Many of our properties are in rural parts of Akaroa harbour or the outer bays. Some may be shingle, narrow, and all are a bit windy!
Please just take care, keep left and stick to the relaxed vibe of the tour and your peninsula holiday by taking it easy.
Parking will be indicated, sometimes roadside, so please take care.
3
What are the roads like ?
How many gardens and homes are there to visit ?
4
We have 15 local properties available to explore.
6 of these include exploring a house in addition to the garden.
You can explore all properties here.
The garden festival will take place rain or shine.
Given it is a community fundraising event, no refunds are given.
5
Can I get a refund ?
What hours are the properties open to visit ?
6
All properties are open from 10 am - 5 pm on both the 21/22 November.
The best value for visiting multiple gardens are your pre-sale festival tickets; however tickets can be purchased at the gate of each individual property being visited for $15 per person, cash only.
7
Can I pay at the gate ?
Will the festival be cancelled if it rains ?
8
The garden festival will take place rain or shine.
9
Are the properties wheelchair accessible?
Given the Banks Peninsula landscape the gardens are not wheelchair accessible. The age of many of the heritage homes also means they are not wheelchair accessible.
No, we ask out of respect for property owners that dogs are left at home.
10
Can I bring my dog ?
Children are welcome but must be closely supervised at all times. Given the landscape, creeks and natural environments of these properties, hazards do exist, and in visiting homes we respectfully ask that nothing is touched.
The tour might be an excellent chance for a childfree weekend with friends!
11
Can I bring children ?
Public bathrooms are marked on the tour map, and scattered throughout the bays.
12
Are bathrooms available ?
There are several picnic areas with epic views along the routes between properties, as well as parks and public spaces dotted around Akaroa village, the harbour and the outer bays.
Please do not picnic in the tour gardens.
13
Can I bring a picnic ?
Akaroa + The Bays
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Stay
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Shop
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Eat
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Relax
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Akaroa + The Bays * Stay * Shop * Eat * Relax *
Make a weekend
of it.
Akaroa and The Bays offers an unrivaled coastal New Zealand charm.
Excellent food, the whole span of accommodation options, beautiful independent stores and experiences that will complement your touring of private homes and gardens.
Just take a scroll through our small photo gallery below!
