Akaroa’s spectacular Inside Out House & Garden Tour returns on the 21st & 22nd November 2026, offering a rare opportunity to step inside some of the harbour’s most characterful homes and wander through private gardens that are normally hidden from view. 

This biennial event has become a highlight of the Banks Peninsula calendar, celebrating the creativity, heritage, and landscape that make Akaroa and its region so distinctive. This fundraising event is organised by the Friends of the Akaroa Museum who use the funds raised to support purchases, restoration and projects at the Akaroa Museum.  

The 2026 tour features 15 amazing properties to discover, at your own pace, on a flexible self-drive programme.  We are delighted to present several new properties to the tour, each chosen for its story — from lovingly restored historic cottages to contemporary coastal builds shaped by the peninsula’s dramatic contours. We will also revisit some of your beloved properties from previous tours, where caretakers have been busily extending gardens and renovating spaces. Visitors can expect thoughtful planting, clever design, and the personal touches that reflect the lives of the people who call Akaroa and the surrounding bays home.