Absolutely awesome Akaroa

From the sea to the skyline, the coastal town of Akaroa offers a multitude of activities for visitors.

A popular weekend haven for Cantabrians, this seaside town is brimming with tantalising, often French-inspired, places to wine, and dine, indulge in some retail therapy, dive into water-based activities, or relax.

On the way over the hill, you’ll see the area’s newest luxury venue, The Hilltop. Once in the township, you can visit the gardens, check out the lighthouse, or just wander the shopping precinct at leisure. Accommodation is plentiful, from airbnbs, to hotels, motels, and boutique apartments.

The warmer seasons bring out the best in Akaroa, including the many water-based activities available there. Head out in a kayak, take a tour to see the penguins, and dolphins, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Banks Peninsula, or how about a sailing cruise? Don’t forget the nighttime attractions which include gazing up at a clear starry sky, or working your way through a tantalising menu at one of the
many restaurants.

Check these out:
Akaroa shopping precinct – A stroll through the main street, exploring the shops and cafés along the way is a great starting point. Creative crafts, one of a kind souvenirs, and chatting with local retailers is all part of the Akaroa experience.
Akaroa Museum – Currently showing three new long term exhibitions about the history of Banks Peninsula: Ngā Taenga mai Arrivals, Land & Sea, and Tales of Banks Peninsula, produced in collaboration with Ōnuku rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Historic building database – The Akaroa Civic Trust has developed a database of all the historic buildings and sites in the Akaroa area. If you would like to find the location of the cottage that used to be in your family way back, or the name of the person who built your family bach, the database is a great place to start.

Akaroa Lighthouse – The lighthouse was moved from its original site at Akaroa Heads to the township in 1980. Now visitors can experience a slice of the past, in a beautiful panoramic setting, ideal for selfies.
Akaroa Heads – The lighthouse foundations remain at Akaroa Heads, and more active visitors to the area may enjoy a trip out there. From Akaroa township, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road, but be warned, it is a steep, narrow, rough road and more suitable for 4-wheel-drive vehicles. From the car park, wander down the 4-wheel-drive vehicle access, entering the reserve through a gate. The road descends down past the foundations of the lighthouse keeper’s house and other buildings, to the site of the old lighthouse.

For more ideas of what to see and do in Akaroa, visit the website www.akaroa.com