One of the best day trips from Christchurch involves a scenic drive through Banks Peninsula to Akaroa, an old town with a strong French influence. I won’t be talking much about Akaroa here (I’ve written heaps about it already) – the drive there requires a post of its own! Keep reading to see some of … Read more
If you’re looking for a compact tourist town full of historic sights, awesome short walks and waters teeming with dolphins, you’ll want to add Akaroa to your New Zealand itinerary. Akaroa is most famous for its French influence, but there are heaps of other fun things to do in Akaroa. The hills above town are … Read more
One of the main reasons to visit Akaroa is the chance to get face to face (from the comfort of a boat) with tiny hectors dolphins. We were lucky to see around a dozen of the cute little creatures on our voyage, as well as some great scenery and even a dolphin-sensing dog! Keep reading … Read more
There are plenty of cute small towns on New Zealand’s South Island, but Akaroa stands out from the crowd by being the only one with a big French influence. Akaroa was founded by French settlers in 1840 and although it wasn’t “French” for very long, it still retains a certain Gallic vibe. Throw in a … Read more
If you want to see some great views of Banks Peninsula and the scenery around Akaroa, you won’t want to miss the Otepatotu Scenic Reserve. It’s right by the main road above Akaroa (Summit Road) and the walk up the hill through the forest opens out to some amazing views. Otepatotu Scenic Reserve While the … Read more
If you’re looking for a nice short walk in Akaroa with great views and something a little odd at the end, consider hiking the Children’s Bay Walkway. It’s fairly easy (although, ironically, children may struggle with the uphill nature of the track) and you can easily walk there from town. Children’s Bay Walkway This short … Read more
When driving through the hills around Akaroa you’ll have the chance to take some detours to different bays and beaches. We haven’t visited them all yet, but I can highly recommend a trip down to Okains Bay or Le Bons Bay. Or, you could do both if you have the time, but one is probably … Read more
Akaroa is most famous for its harbour-based activities and Banks Peninsula views, but there’s also an awesome waterfall that you can walk to from town. It’s easy to get to and is surprisingly impressive — keep reading to find out more! Getting to Newton’s Waterfall If you feel like a bit of a walk you … Read more
The short walk to the end of Onawe Pa / Peninsula is a fun thing to do when exploring Banks Peninsula. It’s close to Akaroa (in the small town of Duvachelle) and the views are great — keep reading to find out more! The Onawe Pa Track The track starts at a small car park … Read more