The Giants House
The Giants House
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Happiest Garden on Earth..! Garden of International Significance.. A Josie Martin creation.. Colourful, beautiful balance between garden and art. Don’t miss the fun DVD playing in the contemporary art gallery. Terraced gardens with sculptures and incredible mosaics. Very Unique. A creative feast and a wonderful experience. Only a few minutes walk from the centre of Akaroa.terraced gardens are full of surprises -expect the unexpected at The Giant's House!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
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  • K K
    Hamburg, Germany187 contributions
    Worth a visit!
    We loved our time in this colorful garden! It's a nice workout to get up the hill but you can relax and walk around - tons to look at. Ignore the reviews complaining about an early closing time. This is someone's house. They live there and are constantly updating and adding. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Akaroa
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 January 2023
  • Julie F
    Wellington, New Zealand34 contributions
    The Giant's House
    What a wonderful quirky garden. I have not seen the like before. It was so colourful and uplifting. Such imagination, it was just great. There is also a little cafe and you can sit under the trees and take in the views. I was lucky enough to meet the artist too. Lots to look at here so take your time as you may miss something.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 8 January 2023
  • danielkayelene
    The Summit, Australia757 contributions
    Colourful and wacky garden
    Small garden but absolutely packed with an assortment of fantastical, imaginative, colourful and crazy mosaics, sculptures and ceramics. Like falling down an Alice in Wonderland wormhole. Ideal for kids as you are encouraged to interact with the artwork. Well worth a visit if you have an hour or two to spare.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 9 January 2023
  • WilsonFamilyNz
    Pleasant Point, New Zealand575 contributions
    Mosaic Mindblowing
    Worth the wait to finally get to see this wonderfully dreamy place. Walk tho the garden and go back to your childhood. If u have a wheelchair u can ask at gate and they let you in side door. Good price for great memories
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 January 2023
  • Catherine H
    4 contributions
    gobsmaking
    we initially baulked at the price of entry ($25 per person) but within a few minutes we realised we were somewhere very special. And worth every cent. words cannot describe the scale and talent on display. Highly recommended!
    Visited January 2023
    Written 21 January 2023
  • darlingxiexie
    Galston, Australia36 contributions
    Quirky but beautiful, a fantasy dreamland
    This is absolutely amazing place! I just can’t breathe when I step in. The artist owns her quirky but beautiful skills and turned a garden into a wonderland. This definitely belongs to anyone who still has a fantasy dream! Love it!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 January 2023
  • AixTex
    Texas108 contributions
    Uniqueness on a grand scale
    This is an outdoor art museum in a glorious multi-level garden. The designs and colors and fantasy creatures are just enchanting. We were extremely lucky to be there on a clear warm day, for a leisurely, extended visit. In the garden cafe we enjoyed a delicious ice cream sundae served on a silver tray with linen napkin... special touches like that add to the experience. As others have mentioned, it is a bit pricey, but once you get in there, you can see why.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 6 February 2023
  • NelsonNZ
    Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand93 contributions
    Wonderful place
    We had a quick trip to the Giants House as we had another trip planned in the afternoon. We spent an hour there but could have easily have spent much longer. What creative and fantastic mosaics, just incredible, and so quirky.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 13 February 2023
  • Laura
    Pukaki, New Zealand3 contributions
    Amazing!!
    How cool!! We loved it! Mum was very jet lagged so had to sit down quite often but said when you sit down and look around you notice even more features you didn’t see before. My favourite bits were Isobella and the giant hare but the whole garden was amazing! We could wander round there all day!
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 February 2023
  • Ann T
    Pascoe Vale, Australia1,443 contributions
    Glorious
    It’s a steep walk up to the garden which is opened by artist Jodi Martin. The house was originally built in 1880 by the first Bank of New Zealand Manager and is made of Totara and Kauri hardwood from the Banks (named after Joseph Banks) Peninsula. She bought the house 26 years ago and started making concrete mosaic sculptures 22 years ago. She lives in the house and does all the gardening as well. It’s hard to describe the glory of the garden - full of colour and whimsical statues and tiles made of broken plates - it’s utterly original and worth the entry fee just to smile a lot as one climbs over the hillside.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 11 March 2023
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4.5
1,373 reviews
Excellent
1,117
Very good
179
Average
41
Poor
23
Terrible
13

Gngrpeech
Homer, AK101 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Amazing colors and textures. I felt like I was inside Alice in Wonderland. The artist lives here and also does her own gardening. Disappointed there is no gift shop. Also when I purchased a delicious cold lemon ginger drink at the end of my visit, it was served in glassware and there is zero provision for paper cups or anything to take with you. Since weren’t in a hurry, I was able to sit in the garden and enjoy. However, it would be a kindness if there were signage to the effect that there is no provision to takeaway or ‘to go’.
Written 1 December 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.

Stef
8 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Spectacular gardens and art. Josie has an amazing talent for creating wonder. All the ceramic characters are clever and fun
Written 1 December 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.

Chris P
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Fantastic not to be missed.
She has got a fantastic imagination.
To do this within 25 years.
Came back the next day
Written 27 November 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.

LolaDeVys
7 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
A fabulous and unique art garden with whimsical surprises around every corner. Well named The Happiest Garden. Also serves the prettiest Devonshire tea I’ve ever seen, with fresh flowers. Stunning views but steep slope and many steps, so limited access for people with disability.
Written 4 November 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.

Paul W
Newbury, UK9 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Just stunning art work. There were so many “wow moments”. Worth the trip to New Zealand on its own! A must see.
Written 1 November 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.

Anthony W
Christchurch, New Zealand82 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Totally underwhelming. $50 a couple to look around some gardens and see some mosaics. If I had paid say $5-10 I would have considered it fair price. In and out in 15-mins. It’s designed to scalp the American cruise ship tourists.. kiwis will find it an expensive meh. If mosaics are your thing.. knock yourself out - you’ll probably enjoy it. Otherwise..
Written 20 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.

Vienna Domingo
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The mosaic art in this garden is magnificent and beautiful. We visited the garden right at opening time and then headed to the harbour for our dolphin cruise, which was just 5-7 mins from the garden.
Written 15 September 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.

Lisa Fretwell
England, UK5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This is the most amazing Mosaic garden. Akin to Antonio Gaudi, except it's a truly individual piece of work, plus a beautiful garden as well!
Written 28 August 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.

Ken
Auckland Central, New Zealand2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Quite simply a must visit to soak in the visual splendar of the creations..
There is literally something for everyone.
We strict a lovely day which just enhanced the experience.
I'm sure I missed so much that next time I'm in Akaroa I'll visit again - the detail, gardens & music enhance the experience
Written 22 August 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.

Helen S
3 contributions
Jul 2023
The children really loved the experience as did their nan. There was such a variety of different statues- so colourful and unique. Josie Martin is so clever at using her imagination for some amazing creations
Written 7 July 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.

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THE GIANTS HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Giants House