Akaroa Information

Akaroa Information

Experience a little bit of France in New Zealand at Akaroa, the country’s only French settlement.  Lying on the Banks Peninsula in Canterbury, the small harbour town is a picture-frame asking to be captured.

The town is part of a cluster of small harbour bays formed from a volcanic eruption on the Peninsula, which appears like a circle - yet is cracked and frayed at the edges, making for a truly breathtaking natural lanscape.  

Once you’ve chosen from the range of budget accommodation available and lounged out enjoying the harbour views for a couple of hours you might choose to explore some of the many walks offered in the area.  With so many options available you’ll easily be able to find one that interests you, such as the Waeckerle Cottage walking tour that will take you on an architectural adventure of the old town.  For those who like to live at a faster pace head over to the Akaroa Adventure Centre for all manner of kayaks, bikes and trail maps, golf clubs and windsurfing attire.

Of course one of the joys of staying in a harbour town is the many water activities offered and one thing Akaroa has a monopoly on is Hector Dolphins.  The Akaroa Harbour is the only place in the world where you’ll be able to swim amongst these delightful creatures for two hours amongst the unbeatable scenery of an extinct volcano.  Book your place early as tours fill up quickly and if for some reason you are not able to swim with the dolphins then there are refunds available!  Also jump aboard a Harbour Cruise to explore the surrounding bays and see Akaroa’s astonishing number of seals, penguins and dolphins colonies!

There are numerous shuttle buses available from Christchurch, that will wind you around the crater’s edge via Summer Road, offering you breathtaking views.  This excursion will make the already short ride even more enjoyable.