Akaroa
Introduction -- Accommodation -- Restaurants/Cafes -- Activities

Akaroa waterfront
Akaroa waterfront
New Zealand
Akaroa


Introduction:   Akaroa’s sparkling harbour and its beautiful backdrop of hills and beaches draws artists to live and city-dwellers to holiday, a small gem of culture only 80 kms from Christchurch City.  As Highway 75 descends the Port Hills towards the Banks Peninsula, sharp bends bring sudden expansive panoramas into view, and a sense of anticipation pervades as visitors approach New Zealand’s only French colony.

Driving into town one wonders how different New Zealand’s history would be if the French were not pre-empted by the British in their colonization hopes.  The first French settlers landed in Akaroa only six months after the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, and though allowed to remain under the watchful eye of the British, all hopes of French dominance were quashed.  History echoes down the years through quaint settler buildings and chic French street-names, and there’s a whiff of France in the air at the two nearby wineries, the cheese factory and the lavender farm.  The pretty harbour side town centre has a fine array of specialty shops and cafes, and its cinema shows a wide range of art and current movies in plush surroundings, where you can enjoy a coffee or glass of wine as well as an ice cream.  The local heritage trail lists 43 historic sites, including the wooden lighthouse, which was re-located to its current location in 1980.  Art and garden lovers should take time to visit the phantasmagorical Giant’s House, which is listed as a Garden of National Significance.  Then there’s the Harbour, whose marine visitors include little blue and white-flippered penguins, fur seals and Hector’s dolphins.  Excellent boating and cruising opportunities are offered, including dolphin spotting and swimming, yacht charters, jet boating, fishing, diving and kayaking, and the Harbour’s gentle beaches are perfect for swimming.

BANKS PENINSULA
There are many must-stop photo spotz en route from Christchurch City to the volcanic deep-water harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton.  Several routes climb over rolling wheat-coloured hills, whose plump curves contrast superbly with the azure waters of the harbours below.  The hills of Banks Peninsula offer many fine walking and tramping routes, including the 35km Banks Peninsula Track, which follows the spectacular volcanic coastline, passing sections of native bush, waterfalls and sandy beaches.  There are many other sightseeing options around the Peninsula, including sailing, dolphin-spotting, mountain biking, horse trekking, scooter, 4WD, moped and motorbike tours.  At the head of Akaroa Harbour, the scenic 18-hole Akaroa Golf Club at Duvauchelle is reputedly one of the most scenic courses in Canterbury. 

Beach Road Akaroa
Beach Road on the waterfront

Rue Lavaud


Akaroa Head Lighthouse
Akaroa Head Lighthouse