Welcome to
the constantly traveling website - New Zealand Travel Guide - On
the Road
Akaroa Information:
  
..................................................
(click on photo for closer look)
Details
of the Akaroa area for your use to find where to go, what to do, etc.
Banks
Peninsula was named after Jame's Cook's botanist Joseph Banks. It is an
extinct volcano with its circular shape and steep sides that creates
the many bays around it. Akaroa is the oldest town in the Canterbury
District and claims the oldest house in the region. It is the locastion
of the first Catholic Church and the first vineyard in New Zealand.
From
Christchurch take Route 75 (easy to find and negotiate from the city)
to the Banks Peninsula and the town of Akaroa, New Zealand's only
French settlement,
settled in 1840 by only 63 people. It is a small quaint French
influenced village 85 km
(1 1/2 hour drive) southeast of Christchurch. The drive is
spectacular.
Lake
Ellesmere is on your right
seemingly covered with hundreds of waterfowl and probably the largest
concentration of black swan anywhere. Good picnic spot to stop and get
close. Had young swans walking around the bus driving
the cats crazy.
You
might want to stop at the Little River Cafe about half way along
the way or stop in Barry's Bay for their excellent cheese. From
Cooptown just past Little River you will find the little hills have
turned to big hills
(to a flatlander like me they were mountains) and a continual climb.
The next
seven kilometres will be winding and heading toward the top. Stopping
at the crest there is the Hilltop pub and pullover with plenty of area.
Then what goes up must come down so the next 7 kms is just that. You
will see a lot of side roads to the various bays most of which I do not
recommend for buses and/or camper vans.Slow down or even stop to have a
look at
the historic Hotel Pecheurs in Duvauchelle 10 kilometers out from
Akaroa.
For those of you in camper vans there is only one fabulous place to
stay overlooking Akaroa and a very good camp run by Kay and Dick
Russell
with manager Richard Sansbury overlooking the daily activities and
making sure your stay is of the highest quality.
The Akaroa Top Ten Holiday Park -
www.akaroa-holidaypark.co.nz
.
When
you get to Akaroa the two hour Akaroa Historic Walk
will give you a real feel for the place. Plenty of good cafes and shops
in the downtown area. Definitely have a look at the artistic jade work
of
Graeme Wylie at: Naturally
Jade
Akaroa
has become the place where they do
paua (abalone) farming and commercially create a beautiful blue pearl.
Look at what Graeme does with them and jade as a combo.
We
always stop at the "By the Green" cafe on the left as you enter town.
Great food and Supreme coffee. There are many fine restaurants
featuring local produce.
In
the centre of town at the wharf are the Black Cat Cruises that provide
the opportunity to see the rare Hector's dolphin on a boat trip
out of Akaroa.
One
of the best ways to really get to know Akaroa is on the Historic Area
Walk. There are forty-three buildings and historic sites to visit.
Allow around two hours for the leisurely walk. You can get a guide book
at the Information Centre.
Lots
of activities to enjoy along with the many events and festivals held
each year. Check out the websites below for complete information.
You
can park for the day at Dalys Wharf on the
right as you enter
the main section of town.
After
Akaroa we head south so remember to allow yourself time for the return
trip to eitherChristchurch or the drive south. Going south we will take
the Taitapu/Lincoln Road to Route One rather than having to go back
through the city. The flat straight road goes through one of New
Zealand's top
University locations -
Lincoln University.
Just
15 kilometres through Springston and you
reach Route One. Turn south. Just before reaching Route One on the left
is the turn off to Giessen Winery one
of New Zealand's best. It is 56 kms now to Ashburton on a major flat
and straight highway. Mountains dominate the skyline to the West
and the surrounding area. is almost entirely farm land. The very, very
wide glacial fed Raikai River is coming up.
To continue our journey south:
return to South Island Travelogue/Guide
The
following websites will provide more information the Akaroa area on the
websites:
Akaroa Information Centre
Akaroa
Dolphin & Bird watching Cruises
Dolphin
Experience
Historic
Information and Photos of Akaroa
If
you need to get in touch with Ron or Paula
(or Sylvester and Chocolate):
|
