Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run
Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run
Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run
5
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Full view
About
We travel 120km weaving in and out of 10 bays from sea level to the crater rim delivering mail to farms and settlements. You will get an interesting commentary on the Peninsula's natural and social history. Your tour includes a homemade tea/coffee snack break, a visit to a historic church and a short walk on beautiful Le Bons Bay beach. Plenty of photo opportunities and comfort stops! The tour operates from Monday to Saturday.
Akaroa, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run
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5.0
226 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
9
Sherri S
Cabin John, MD8 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Yes, it’s the mail run and it was wonderful! There were 8 of us traveling together and Akaroa was one of the stops on our cruise itinerary. We were picked up by Jeff and taken all around as he delivered the mail to rural areas. The views were amazing. Jeff was a terrific guide pointing out some of the fun and interesting mail boxes, giving us local information and taking us to some lovely spots. His wife’s homemade snacks were delicious! It was easy to book on-line and very reasonably priced.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue F
13 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This was a great experience and a chance to see the remote parts of the America peninsula - and a chance to see how the post reaches these remote areas. Jeff the postie took us all around his daily round for 5 hours, with a stop for coffee and a slice of his wife’s delicious lemon cake. It was a unique experience and although the weather turned rather nasty towards the end we really enjoyed it and would recommend it as something completely different!
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Des H
Christchurch, New Zealand146 contributions
Jul 2020
What a great trip travelling with the mailman for about 5 hours to remote farms and bays of the peninsula . You travel about 120 k up and down steep and winding roads, very safely with an excellent driver, delivering mail to these isolated places. And as you are not driving, thankfully, you can relax and look and enjoy the experience. Among the highlights: the magnificent scenery from the summit looking both sides; the beautiful beaches; the quirky mailboxes; the former little post offices; the schools converted into holiday homes; the huge community hall at Pigeon Bay; the magnificent church at Little Akaloa with its beautifully kept cemetery; the provided morning tea; the interesting, friendly and informative driver. Unfortunately, the Okains museum is currently closed. If you are a city dweller this is a must-do experience if for no other reason than to see how some of your fellow kiwis live away from an urban environment. Plenty of chances for photographs. Not an expensive day out but a very rewarding one.
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joyce C
Fullerton, CA63 contributions
Mar 2020
There were 6 of us booked on this tour. We had seen the verbiage told that if we cancelled less than 30 days in advance of the tour, that we'd lose 20%. As soon as we were informed about the cancellation due to Coronavirus (29 days prior), we immediately let this company know. We first were told that we would be refunded minus 20% (which was stated) plus another 10% administration fee (which we had not been in formed of). After sending numerous frustrating emails, it was decided by Jeff and Suzy to waive the 20% fee, however we were still charged the 10% fee. When our credit came through it was refunded in NZD which when converted to USD with the current rate gave us a loss of approximately $25.00 per couple. We don't feel that the customer should lose money on a tour that had to be cancelled beyond our control. We were informed " There is nothing what we could do from our end". Very disappointing!!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aster
2 contributions
Feb 2020
In February, we had the pleasure of accompanying Jeff on his tour. We really enjoyed these 5 hours his company. His comments are really interesting, the landscapes very beautiful and Jeff does not hesitate to make photo stops. The discovery of his profession interested us a lot. The little tea time stop is charming and we thank Suzi for the home made cookies ..... We warmly recommend this activity.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mbonthemove
Cannes7 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
Most enjoyable trip with Jeff. The only way we would have seen all the gorgeous wee bays, amusing letter boxes and the little church with Maori inspired carvings by a Scottish artisan. Look out for the wee lady in the letterbox . Jeff has lots of local and historical knowledge and stories to share. The divine uncooked tomato chutney at morning tea was an extra treat.
Written 21 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles F.
New Zealand5 contributions
Jan 2022
Very good way to see a significant section of the eastern bays of Banks Peninsula. Personable and professional driver, providing a safe, relaxing and enjoyable experience. The morning tea made by his wife was homely and delicious. This trip could be improved with the driver researching and sharing more local history and knowledge. I think this extensive trip has much potential for further enhancement, if there was a significantly greater input of local information.
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Havelock North, New Zealand71 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
The comfortable Mail Run Bus / Van takes up to eight passengers. I was the only one on the Tuesday I went. Pick up was at 9am & the Run / Tour lasted 5 hours.
You get to see stunning coastal scenery that the average visitor to Akaroa would not experience! Owner / Driver Jeff provides a very interesting history of the Peninsular.
For me the highlights were St Luke's Church at Little Akaloa & Le Bon Beach.
The Church was designed, built & carved in 1906 by local farmer J H Menzies, with the help of some other locals.
I throughly recommend taking this tour.
You get to see stunning coastal scenery that the average visitor to Akaroa would not experience! Owner / Driver Jeff provides a very interesting history of the Peninsular.
For me the highlights were St Luke's Church at Little Akaloa & Le Bon Beach.
The Church was designed, built & carved in 1906 by local farmer J H Menzies, with the help of some other locals.
I throughly recommend taking this tour.
Written 2 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurer819729
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
This was a great experience. We had been driving through New Zealand for almost 2 weeks and this tour really gave us good insight into how the locals lived. The scenes were exceptional -even after we had been on driving around and enjoying all the great scenery. Jeff was a good and patient narrator and we loved every stop we made --and the goodies his wife provided for our break. Thanks for rounding off a great visit to your country. Annette R
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie I
Sydney, Australia210 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
An entertaining trip with fantastic views round some very tricky roads by an entertaining and safe driver. I am so glad I wasn’t driving on these windy roads, I got to see so much and the commentary added to the experience, adapting to the passengers and engaging us all. The morning tea stop was an added bonus and I wish I could buy some of the pineapple and cucumber pickles.
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. Husband is diabetic, so wondering if there are any places along the route to pick up a sandwich or "heavy" snack since we'll be out 5 hours. I realize there is a nice tea which might be OK for that, but just wanted to cover all bases, since it's our understanding that we can't take anything off the ship in NZ for agriculture reasons.
Written 17 November 2019
Hi there, thanks for your question.
Yes we do stop at the Okains Store which is usually open. You could buy a 'snack' if it was needed.
Regards, Jeff.
Written 28 January 2020
How can I book this tour? I will be in Christchurch March 23-30 ?
Written 8 March 2017
I think this may already have been answered. I booked through the Akaroa Adventure Centre. They're easy to find online.
They're very helpful. You'll enjoy the experience.
Written 9 March 2017
It was $75 per ticket, so we paid $150. But this is payment in New Zealand dollars, which are worth about 75% of US dollar. So the true cost wasn't as much. Enjoyable way to see scenic Akaroa.
Written 19 February 2017
Hi,
Don't miss this tour. It takes about 5 hours and we loved it. Plenty of time to look around Akaroa when you get back. A trip to "The Giants House" in Akaroa is also well worth visiting.
Written 19 February 2017
How many days in advance do we have to book? Can we book directly to Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run upon arrival in Picton?
Written 13 January 2016
Please can anyone tell me how to find this tour 'operator'? We will be going on a cruise to NZ in November, which calls at Akaroa.
I would like to find more details like price etc but can't find his website or address. Thanks
Written 4 July 2015
I just googled mail tour Akaroa nz and the site comes up with all the information you will need
Hope this helps
Written 5 July 2015
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