I don’t think many of the buildings actually date back to the French settlement origins, but the atmosphere makes up for it. There are some great cafes and restaurants in Akaroa, as well as really good French deli. There’s also a camping ground there which would be an awesome place to stay in the summer. It’s one of the many free things to do in Akaroa! Learn about local history & help crew if you want. Explore the remains of the sole French settlement in New Zealand on foot. Escape to picturesque Akaroa and immerse yourself in French culture, entertainment and romance as we celebrate Banks Peninsula's unique history at the biennial Akaroa French Festival. Discover 2020's top Akaroa attractions. Best Things to Do in Akaroa New Zealand See the Akaroa Dolphins – the World’s Smallest Dolphins The one thing that drew us to visiting Akaroa was to see the world’s smallest and rarestdolphins – the Hector’s Dolphins! Top Things to Do in Akaroa, Canterbury Region: See Tripadvisor's 10,089 traveller reviews and photos of 32 things to do when in Akaroa. A trip out on the water is one of our favourite things to do in Akaroa and is a fantastic way to encounter the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin. We have reviews of the best places to see in Akaroa. The Akaroa Head Scenic Reserve walk consists of a narrow road that can only be accessed by four-wheel-drive vehicles, but other than that, the 40-minute return loop is relatively simple. Dolphin & Whale Watching in Akaroa. For inspiration of what New Zealand food to look out for, see 11 Foods You Have to Try in New Zealand. Welcome/Kia Ora! Top Attractions in Akaroa. Trip.com features the best things to do in Akaroa Christchurch, including travel-guide, attractions, restaurants, and cheap hotels. This small peninsula / pa (fortified settlement) is a short drive from Akaroa (it’s just before Akaroa on the main road from Christchurch) and there’s an easy walking track which takes you to the end. Tours in Akaroa. If your kids can handle a bit of uphill hiking, they’ll love the animals! 3. Dolphin watching trips depart almost every day and you have a great chance of seeing dolphins (we saw a dozen or so on our trip). Hike or Mountain bike to Misty Peaks. Check out the details of this walk and others in Akaroa with our Akaroa – Guide for Backpackers. 3 hour tour with historic narration, complementary fresh brewed coffee, tea, homemade hot chocolate and biscuits. See 2 Experiences. For those of you who love the great outdoors, look no further than the Hinewai Reserve! Take a nature cruise. 1,241 reviews. There’s also an old lighthouse to look at and there are some hotels which take advantage of the nice views. We’ve also included some extra free and cheap activities in Akaroa giving you variety in things to do. Exploring the Akaroa Harbour by kayak or stand up paddleboard is an affordable experience with one-hour hire being around NZ$20. For more Akaroa inspiration, see 10 Things We Love About Akaroa, as well as our complete guide to Akaroa. Children’s Bay Walkway is one of the closer walks to downtown Akaroa and it features something a little out of the ordinary. Hinewai Reserve. It’s a short drive to get there (the roads are winding though) and it’s a good place to add to your itinerary if you’re also keen to explore some of the other places above (it’s close to the Hinewai Reserve and the Otepatotu Scenic Reserve). Hector's dolphins are common here -- they are known for being the smallest marine dolphins in the world. attractioncategory.name.v3.57. Spend your time in port in Akaroa on a small-group shore excursion, sea kayaking around the harbor. Kayaking & Canoeing in Akaroa. Sail with dophins, see wildlife. 5. Home / Things To Do In Akaroa – Dolphin Swim, Boat Trips & Nature Tours. 4. There’s a museum to check out (it doesn’t take too long to look around) and the old lighthouse down by the waterfront is nice too. © 2020 NZ Pocket Guide. Functional facts: Approximate population 700, information centre, restaurants, bank. Akaroa Lighthouse. Hiring a bike for this mountain bike trail can be hired for as little as NZ$35 for four hours from the adventure centre on the waterfront of Akaroa. With 2 wooden masts and 6 sails there is always a halyard to hoist or a sheet to be pulled. Le Bons Bay is pretty similar to Okains Bay (not sure you need to visit both) but a little quieter. The walk itself is straightforward (and there are some nice views of Akaroa from the top) but it’s the big animal statues that will catch your eye. Find Rhinos and Other Surprises on the Children’s Bay Walkway. French bakeries, creperies, cafes and more can be experienced in Akaroa. Hinewai Reserve. I haven’t been to this quirky little garden thing, but I’ve heard it’s worth checking out. They offer cheese tastings every day in their store and factory. Be sure to visit the museum - it tells the story of Akaroa with displays and an audio visual presentation. As well as the walks I’ve mentioned, there are heaps of little viewpoints on the roads above Akaroa. I haven’t been to all of them, but I hear the ones below are some of the best (as well as Hickory Bay and Flea Bay). Location: Start from Children’s Bay or the boardwalk to Children’s Bay from the north side of Akaroa town waterfront. 5. It’s true, Akaroa is a small town packed with activities: dolphin swimming, sailing cruises, wildlife tours and more! There are several beaches and bays near Akaroa and it’s worth checking out one of two of them as you drive the scenic hilltop roads. Location: 5807 Christchurch Akaroa Road, Duvauchelle. 1. Hiking the Kepler Track in 3 Days: Tips | What to Pack | What You’ll See, Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach: Kepler Track Day 3, Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut: Kepler Track Day 2, Te Anau to Luxmore Hut: Kepler Track Day 1, Hiking the Waipohatu Waterfall Track, The Catlins. Top things to do in Akaroa 2020.11. However, when you’re staying a while in the “French Capital”, or you’re travelling on a low budget, you’re going to want to find some free and cheap things to do in Akaroa. Luckily, the town and the surrounding Banks Peninsula are full of them. Check Out the Akaroa Museum…. Akaroa harbour up close on New Zealand's oldest ketch Fox II. Popular Akaroa Categories. All things to do in Akaroa. The walk is either a 3-hour loop, or another good option is to walk to The Rhino, taking about an hour, and return the same way. (But once you’ve tried the baguettes at the French bakery, it’s easy to let things spiral out of control. Things to Do in Akaroa. I visited this place in winter, so it wasn’t really at its best, but it’d be a good place to visit in the warmer months. … Things to See at Akaroa. Board one of the wildlife cruises or sailing trips from Akaroa so the whole family can ... 2. 2. One of the popular things to do in Akaroa is to join an Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Nature Cruise. At NZ$20 per person, it’s definitely one of the more affordable things to do in Akaroa. Other than that, there isn’t much else to specifically seek out, just wander the streets and enjoy the vibe! Duvauchelle is a tiny town on the way to Akaroa featuring an old hotel and some colourful boat sheds. The waterfront area in Akaroa is a good place to be on a nice day. The Hinewai Reserve is a 15-minute drive away from Akaroa. Park in the Misty Peaks Reserve car park. The city and its French … There are several Banks Peninsula walks I would like to explore next time and add to my list of best day hikes in New Zealand. The Giants House. The Giants House. Other Things to Do in Akaroa. Things to Do in Akaroa, Canterbury Region: See Tripadvisor's 10 066 traveller reviews and photos of 23 Akaroa attractions. Akaroa. Garden of Tane. I listed some of the most popular ones below, but they aren’t the only ones. I visited this place in winter, so it wasn’t really at its best, but it’d be a good place to visit in the warmer months. Looking for things to do in Akaroa can be time-consuming but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. These These are the only dolphins endemic to New Zealand and are a must for any New Zealand Bucket List! 1. Summit Road – Banks Peninsula. There’s a cave, a museum and a lovely stretch of beach at Okains Bay. Of course, hiking is the free option for things to do in Akaroa, … Take the boardwalk at the north end of town to Children’s Bay where the Children’s Bay Walkway begins. This is a relatively new hike as until recently the waterfall was located on private lands and was not accessible. See Dolphins, Penguins, Seals and More on a Wildlife Cruise. Book Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve + Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise with Dolphin Watching tours. 2. Look out for animal sculptures along the way! 3. 1. This hike takes about an hour round trip and takes you to see a waterfall. Akaroa has a huge French influence, which means great food! Location: Down the Aylmers Valley Road. There are a few other things to do in Akaroa, including galleries, kayaking and penguin spotting tours and the two popular places listed below. The best way to save money in Akaroa is to do a few hikes. Bask in the scenery of remote bays and inlets, and catch a glimpse of local marine life, including penguins, orcas, and endangered Hector’s dolphins. Check out the coastline of the local harbour and you never know, you might even meet a dolphin or two! While the drive to Akaroa itself is great, there is heaps to see and do once you get there to make it more of a full day trip. Depending on what you order, trying the tastes of Akaroa can be a pretty cheap experience. See Tripadvisor's 10,001 traveller reviews and photos of Akaroa free attractions The waterfall itself is pretty, if low-key, and the walk to get there takes you through the forest and is quite relaxing. Nestled in native bush, the Newton’s Waterfall makes a pretty picture opportunity. Let me know if you’ve been and whether you recommend it for our readers! There are a few other things to do in Akaroa, including galleries, kayaking and penguin spotting tours and the two popular places listed below. By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and the terms of use within it. Plan visits to Dolphin & Whale Watching, Kayaking & Canoeing + Boat Tours & Water Sports. Location: 8km inland from Akaroa along Long Bay Road. 4. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. One of the best things to do in Akaroa is also the easiest – exploring the old town on foot! Check out our two-week South Island itinerary! This lighthouse is unusually situated inside the harbour after lighthouse enthusiasts saved the structure from being demolished when it was no longer in use. 3. (And some cheap stuff too). 4. Only found in waters around the South Island of New Zealand, Akaroa Harbour boasts the highest population of the Hector's dolphins. The road follows the ridge of the volcano and has great views. We can help you there with this list of free things to do in Akaroa! For a dose of Maori culture, visit the small settlement of Onuku, just 6km south of Akaroa. Newton’s Waterfall is only a short walk or drive from town and is quite different to other walks in Akaroa. A great vantage point of Akaroa (that’s also easy to get to) is from the Akaroa Lighthouse. Join me as I see as much of the South Island as I can. Additionally, the fish and chips is also a must! Trust us!) Either walk, bike or drive through the forested road to Onuku where the settlement boats a large carved marae “meeting house” and small Maori church. This 3-hour return track takes you along the ridgeline overlooking Akaroa and other bays in the Banks Peninsula. The hills above town are home to heaps of walks and viewpoints and you’ll struggle to find a better dolphin watching experience anywhere in else in New Zealand. The cruises also give you a good look at the scenery near Akaroa, and you might spot some seals and maybe a penguin. Spot Akaroa Harbour’s rare Hector’s dolphins on a catamaran wildlife cruise that includes fresh-baked cookies and a drink. Better yet, a free thing to do in Akaroa?! The following activities are popular things to do around Akaroa. Some are proper places (Akaroa Heritage Park) but some of the best views are when you pull over by the side of the road. In Akaroa, swim with dolphins for an experience many people only dream of. Near Airports. Top Things to Do in Akaroa, Canterbury Region: See Tripadvisor's 9,986 traveller reviews and photos of 22 things to do when in Akaroa. 10 Things to Do in Akaroa with Kids. Just over an hours drive from Christchurch, Banks Peninsula is the South Island’s most interesting volcanic feature, formed following the violent eruptions of two volcanoes resulting in the picturesque harbours of Akaroa and Lyttleton.

things to do in akaroa

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things to do in akaroa 2020