Some cruises will take you swimming with hector s dolphins, the smallest dolphins in the world. The giant s house was the first bank managers house in akaroa, built 1880 of totara and kauri. Le soleal carries an absolute maximum of 264 passengers, assuming two passengers in each cabin, and the golden. The giants house new zealand gardens gardens to visit. For something uniquely akaroa, head up the hill to the giant s house where terraced gardens with sculptures and mosaics are a creative feast. The giant s house is located at 68 rue balguerie, which is off rue lavaud akaroa s main road. Years ago in an effort to repair a damaged front step, before visitors arrived, she used some broken crockery to repair it in mosaic form. The giant s house is an amazing living art project by a local artist in akaroa.
Simpson and built in 1881 from native new zealand totara and kauri timber for akaroas first bank manager, arthur henry westenra, who, according to his obituary, had a love of horticulture in all its branches. The giants house is an amazing living art project by a local artist in akaroa. I cant be totally sure as it was a very hot day when we did it a few years ago. It feels like a little like a western country where everyone is relaxed, at least from my perspective. Its the most colourful new zealand garden youll ever see. Giants house akaroa, new zealand attractions lonely planet.
The giants house is a magnificent two storey villa dating from 1880. The giants house a mosaic master class in akaroa janet. The giants house, akaroa, nzs a traveling gardener. The loud, atmospheric cafe music that fills the air as you puff your way up the steep driveway and even steeper stairs, gives a small clue as to whats in store. The giant s house is located centrally in akaroa, an historic french and british settlement town, nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano.
Giant s house is located in an area of akaroa that travelers like for its seaside. The giant s house, owned by artist josie martin, is a historic buliding with an abstract sculpture garden and a contemporary art gallery. Jan, 2020 new zealand is full of surprises, but its saved one of the best until the very end of our trip. Get shore excursion tips and advice from other cruisers who have experienced giants house and canterbury farm in akaroa during their. Akaroa giants house15 mosaic garden, mosaic art, mosaic. An historic akaroa house with original artworks, terraced gardens with sculptures and mosaics.
Romantic secluded and quiet, but only a few minutes walk to the centre of akaroa. Named so because it looked like a giants house to a visiting child, this grand old 1880 villa is full of art in unexpected places. Apr 05, 2019 it would probably take around 30 minutes to the giant s house walking steadily. The grand house dates back to 1880 and is embellished with the artist s colorful surprises inside and out, from a conservatory with mosaic carpeted floor to a grand. We didnt know what to expect at the giants house but we were so glad we gave it a go and went inside. Echoes of gaudi and miro can be found in the intricate collages of mirrors, tiles and broken china, and. A california house almost completely covered in tile apartment therapy main society adventures. Le soleal has arrived in akaroa harbour early this morning, along with the golden princess cruise ship. The mosaic tile house of venice beach by robert hemedes 26 june 20 see more. Ive spent about one month in new zealand, half of it in the north island, and half in the south island. Elegant and comfortable, it is designed and decorated in the french style. Along the winding paths up through the terracing beside the house are various lifesized. Our tour guide talked us into visiting the giants house, and were grateful that she did. The giants house akaroa 2020 alles wat u moet weten.
The giants house was the first bank managers house in akaroa, built 1880 of totara and kauri. When visiting the akaroa area, expedia can provide you with extensive giants house information, as well as great savings on nearby hotels and flights. Akaroa, banks peninsula with giants house akaroa shore. The giants house, akaroa, new zealand the giants house is. Named so because it looked like a giant s house to a visiting child, this grand old 1880 villa is full of art in unexpected places. New zealand thomas eskenazi travelling photography. Ive never seen anything quite like the giants house sculpture mosaic garden. The giants house akaroa 2020 all you need to know before.
Visit the giants house on your trip to akaroa or new zealand. Akaroa, new zealand january 28, 2017 the isola bella sculpture is seen at the giant s house on january 28, 2017 in akaroa, new zealand. An ongoing labour of love by local artist josie martin, this whimsical garden is really one giant artwork, a combination of sculpture and mosaics that cascades down a hillside above akaroa. The giants house and mosaic garden akaroa new zealand afar. Akaroa, new zealand january 28, 2017 josie martin poses in front of the giant s house on january 28, 2017 in akaroa, new zealand. My favorite vacation spot is new zealand and my fave town was akaroa because that is where the giants house is. Feb 11, 20 if your travelling to christchurch, new zealand, bypass the city and head striaght for akaroa. The sculpture, mosaic and terraced garden is created by artist josie martin.
I felt like a child visiting disney world, wandering through the gardens in amazement. Weird and wonderful places to stay around new zealand urban. We release new videos of the new zealand backpacking adventure every single day, as well as new zealand travel tips and 360 videos every sunday so start. It is about an hours drive from christchurch via a beautiful winding road into an ancient volcanic caldera. The giant s house a historic akaroa house with original artworks, terraced gardens with sculptures and mosaics. Choose from 17 hotels and accommodations within a mile of giant s house, including these options. Now over 17 years later the entire garden has mosaics.
Youll explore the banks peninsula and the city of christchurch, plus take a guided tour of the giant s house. Being the home of an artist it balances and contrasts the historic and contemporary. The giants house sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. If youre pulling into port in akaroa, this shore excursion is designed to show you some of the sights of new zealand s south island. Dec 14, 2008 located in the small harbor town of akaroa, just 85 kilometers outside christchurch, new zealand, the giants house could easily be considered one of the most unusual bed and breakfast in the world. Really love this garden where the two designers spent most of their time in last almost three decades to build the sculpture and gardens bit by bit. If you are looking for giants house travel information, expedia has you covered.
South pacific new zealand south island canterbury region. Colourful, beautiful balance between garden and art in the contemporary art gallery. The giants house in akaroa is the work of artist josie martin. Looking for exceptional deals on giant s house, akaroa vacation packages. Along the winding paths up through the terracing beside the house are various lifesized and bigger people, cats, dogs, birds and other. The house was originally built in 1880 and was the first ever bank manager of the province s residence. Apr 02, 2018 my favorite vacation spot is new zealand and my fave town was akaroa because that is where the giant s house is. The giants house is an exceptional experience, a creation by josie martin painter, sculptor, mixed media artist, horticulturist and traveller. A garden of national significance and a josie martin creation. Up the steep driveway hides a large garden crisscrossed by paths. Dec 29, 2015 today ive decided to visit the giants house in akaroa while waiting to board le soleal in the late afternoon. A mosaic garden full of people, cats, dogs, birds and other animals. Oct 02, 2015 the giant s house is a quirky sculpture, mosaic garden and gallery in akaroa.
Although the garden is juliet slightly bigger than normal house, you can find tons of surprises at almost every corner of this lovely place. The giants house, akaroa, new zealand the giants house. The giants house, akaroa ticket price timings address. Romantic, secluded and quiet, but only a few minutes walk to the centre of akaroa. Apr 26, 2018 the italianate house known as linton was designed by christchurch architect a. Board a nature cruise and meet some of new zealand s native marine animals. After the akaroa giants house we venture to the akaroa lighthouse.
Not enough time to fully explore this quirky lady s place but it was really something. Top 10 akaroa hotels near giants house new zealand. Our spectacular sculpture and mosaic garden has been awarded 6 stars in. This is a very short time to discover this incredible country. The nature is everywhere and locals are laidback and welcoming. You can go into the opera house foyers without a tour but im not sure about anything else. Akaroa is home to 20 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something that s perfect for your stay. Wonderful plants and succulents nestled in the mosaic gardens.