Things to do in Akaroa & The Banks Peninsula
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Tree Crop Farm
The quirky Tree Crop Farm is 1.8km off the main road through Akaroa (take Rue Grehan). This private wilderness garden is perfect for wandering on established tracks, relaxing on sheepskin-covered couches on the ramshackle veranda, or flicking through magazines and playing board games. A drink and snack is included in the admission price (try the berry juice). Rustic and romantic accommodation ($200 to $250) and a spa are also available here.
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Waeckerle Cottage
The Akaroa – an Historic Walk booklet ($9.50) details a walking tour starting at the 1876 Waeckerle Cottage and finishing at the old Taylor's Emporium premises near the main wharf. The route takes in the old wooden buildings and churches that give Akaroa its character. Audio guides for self-guided walking tours are available at the visitor information centre ($10 per 90 minutes).
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Akaroa Museum
The Akaroa Museum is spread over several historic buildings, including the old courthouse, the tiny Custom House by Daly’s Wharf, and one of NZ’s oldest houses, Langlois-Eteveneaux. It has modest displays on the peninsula’s once-significant Maori population, a courtroom diorama, a 20-minute audiovisual on peninsular history, and Akaroa community archives.
reviewed
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French Farm Winery & Restaurant
The French Farm Winery & Restaurant is set in beautiful grounds with a south of France ambience. Sample French Farm’s chardonnay and pinot noir ($1 per taste and all crafted from local grapes) or unwind with an antipasto platter or Akaroa salmon cakes. In summer (late October to Easter) wood-fired pizzas are served alfresco from midday.
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Akaroa Adventure Centre
The Akaroa Adventure Centre rents out sea kayaks, bikes, golf clubs, fishing rods and windsurfing gear. For $39 (including bike hire) they’ll transport you to the top of the volcanic crater around Banks Peninsula from where you can ride downhill all the way to Akaroa. You could ask here about staying at Purple Peak Backpackers.
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C'est la Vie
C'est la Vie This popular and tiny eatery, about the size of a pétanque green, dishes up superior versions of Gallic goodies like canard (duck) and escargot (snails). When you're replete following your créme caramel, try and find room to scrawl your own glowing review on the walls.
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Bully Hayes
Named after a well-travelled American buccaneer, the menu at this sunny spot kicks off with Akaroa salmon before touching down in New York for gourmet burgers, Italy for pasta, and a leisurely final stop in Spain for tapas. Monteith’s beers and a good local wine list make it a worthwhile place to linger.
reviewed
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Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa
3 hours (Departs Akaroa, New Zealand)
by Viator
Make a date with the worlds smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins only on Akaroa Harbour. There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with Hect…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$57.10 -
Maori & Colonial Museum
Maori & Colonial Museum at Okains Bay, north-east of Akaroa, began as a private collection of indigenous and pioneer artefacts but went public 28 years ago. It features a reproduction Maori meeting house, a sacred 15th-century god stick and a war canoe.
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Barrys Bay Cheese
At Barrys Bay, on the western side of Akaroa Harbour (12km from Akaroa), is the enticing Barrys Bay Cheese, where you can taste and purchase fine cheddar, havarti and gouda. Crackers and chutney are available for a spontaneous seaside snack.
reviewed
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Onuku Heights Horse Treks
Surround yourself with the best of the spectacular scenery of Banks Peninsula at Onuku Heights Horse Treks. Onuku Heights is 15 minutes from Akaroa. Follow the signs to Onuku Marae, continue uphill and turn left into Haylocks Rd.
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Akaroa Cooking School
The Akaroa Cooking School runs popular ‘Gourmet in a Day’ sessions (10am to 3pm) on Fridays and Saturdays, and occasional specialised seafood and barbecue classes. All sessions end with tucking into your self-prepared feast.
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Harbour 71
Award-winning service and a waterfront location combine to produce Akaroa's classiest dining. Kick off with a cocktail at the huge wooden bar, before retiring to a leather banquette for meals such as chermoula-rubbed Akaroa groper.
reviewed
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Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise
2 hours (Departs Akaroa, New Zealand)
by Viator
Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife including dolphins, penguins and marine bird life on this Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.
Cruise on a modern 60 …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$54.05 -
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Vangionis
Thin-crust pizzas, tapas, pasta and Canterbury beers and wines all feature at this Tuscan-style trattoria. Secure an outside table and while away the afternoon or evening. Takeaway pizzas are also available.
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L’Escargot Rouge
Tasty pies ($6), picnic fixings and French-accented breakfasts are the main attractions at the ‘Red Snail’. Gourmet ‘meals-to-go’ ($8 to $14) are perfect for alfresco harbourside dining.
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Ma Maison Deli
Gourmet hot spot housing a cabinet full of tempting pastries, sandwiches and slices, plus homemade soups. Start your day with damn fine coffee and blueberry hotcakes.
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Akaroa Dolphins
Two-hour wildlife cruises, plus evening cruises and birdwatching trips by arrangement. Say hi to Murphy, wildlife-spotting dog extraordinaire for you.
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Captain Hector’s Sea Kayaks
This is a rental company that offers kayaks, canoes and rowboats for self-exploration.
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Cine Café
Part cafe with excellent pastries and soups, and part cinema showing art-house flicks.
reviewed
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Truby’s Bar on the Beach
An absolute waterfront location teams with rustic outdoor seating to produce Akaroa’s best place for a sundowner drink. Toasted ciabatta rolls ($9.50) and good coffee are other distractions earlier in the day.
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