Akaroa Mini Golf
📍 Akaroa, Canterbury
18-hole outdoor course with distinctive steampunk metal sculptures and a landmark clown statue at the entrance. Drinks available. No toilets on site. Greens are worn with exposed concrete around holes.
I thought this place was super cool! I was drawn in by the clown outside and just had to check it out with my partner. The man working at the counter was really fun and friendly, and my partner and I both found the course a lot of fun! There were lots of steampunky sculptures throughout, which made it even more interesting and unique. While I can understand why some people might say it’s a bit scary for kids, I think you kind of know what you’re getting into based on the sculpture out front. Drinks are available for purchase at the counter for $3 if you get thirsty, but just a heads-up, there isn’t a bathroom on site!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Suits families passing through Akaroa who want a quirky short stop rather than a polished round. The sculptures are distinctive and the operator is often praised, but the course condition is a recurring complaint and some young children find the imagery frightening. Manage expectations on maintenance and value.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →24 Google reviews
Jade
5 months ago
“I thought this place was super cool! I was drawn in by the clown outside and just had to check it out with my partner. The man working at the counter was really fun and friendly, and my partner and I both found the course a lot of fun! There were lots of steampunky sculptures throughout, which made it even more interesting and unique. While I can understand why some people might say it’s a bit scary for kids, I think you kind of know what you’re getting into based on the sculpture out front. Drinks are available for purchase at the counter for $3 if you get thirsty, but just a heads-up, there isn’t a bathroom on site!”
John Hunter
2 years ago
“On the way out of Akaroa I spied an anarchist clown statue, pointing towards a mini-golf course populated with cool Steampunk sculptures (which looks more like “horror” than “steam” to me, but that's what they call it). We were too tired to play mini-golf, and the course looked a bit run down, but there was a much cheaper option to just wander about looking at the artwork. It was a short visit, but well worth it.”
Grace McLean
3 months ago
“Has the potential to be such a cool spot but it’s unfortunately really run down and in dire need of some TLC The green is worn down and damaged from what I’m sure is years of fun but a revamp would make a world of a difference”
Angus Blakie
5 months ago
“This place is in a nice setting but it could really do with an update. The greens are showing signs of wear especially around the holes with concrete exposed”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Akaroa Mini Golf is an 18-hole outdoor course threaded with steampunk metal sculptures, marked by a clown statue at the entrance visible from the road. Opinion is genuinely split: some visitors love the distinctive artwork and the friendly operator, while many report the course is run-down — worn greens, exposed concrete around holes, separated boundaries, and debris on playing surfaces. Several note the sculptures read as more gothic or scary than steampunk, which unsettles some young children.
