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Akaroa, New Zealand © Andrea Schaffer/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Akaroa, New Zealand © Anup Shah/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Akaroa, New Zealand © Jonathan Keelty/Flickr/CC BY 2.0Akaroa is a charming small town onAkaroa, New Zealand
Banks Peninsula
in Canterbury. It is set on a sheltered harbor and is overlooked and surrounded by the remnants of a Miocene volcano. It is the only settlement founded (1838) by the French in New Zealand and emphasizes the "French connection" in its visitor material.
"Akaroa" is Maori for "Long Harbour". The village is snuggled into a wide bay on the eastern side of the rugged harbor, with Onuku Marae a little further south. Akaroa's harbor is home to an array of wildlife, most notably the rare Hector's dolphin. Cruises and dolphin swimming are popular attractions.
Destination:Akaroa, New ZealandAkaroa is a charming small town onBanks Peninsula
in Canterbury. It is set on a sheltered harbor and is overlooked and surrounded by the remnants of a Miocene volcano. It is the only settlement founded (1838) by the French in New Zealand and emphasizes the "French connection" in its visitor material.
"Akaroa" is Maori for "Long Harbour". The village is snuggled into a wide bay on the eastern side of the rugged harbor, with Onuku Marae a little further south. Akaroa's harbor is home to an array of wildlife, most notably the rare Hector's dolphin. Cruises and dolphin swimming are popular attractions.
Source:http://wikitravel.org/en/Akaroa
Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0Akaroa, New Zealand: Port Information
Akaroa is a tender port for cruise ships anchored in the harbor. Tenders bring passengers to the long shallow-water main wharf in the center of town. The small town can be easily walked and explored in several hours. On cruise ship days, a free shuttle operates every 15 minutes from the Akaroa main wharf and goes to the center of Akaroa (Akaroa Visitor Centre) and to the Recreation Ground (end of town). Stops are also possible to The Giants House.
Akaroa is currently the base point for excursions to Christchurch in the absence of the port Lyttleton, which was damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Christchurch city is 1.5 hours drive away. Shuttle Services: Akaroa Shuttle (Red Bus) and French Connection (Cityline) buses to Christchurch leave from the main wharf.Get around Akaroa, New Zealand
Everything in Akaroa is within walking distance.
You can use shuttle service to get to Christchurch or other attractions (The Giant's House, for example).
There are no commercial taxi companies in Akaroa. However, you can use local tour drivers.What to see in Akaroa, New Zealand
- The Akaroa Historic Area, located along the waterfront of Akaroa Harbour, is easily explored by foot. The main axis comprises all of the Rue Lavaud, part of Beach Road, and includes streets and areas to the east of these two principal arteries. The axis of the area runs roughly north and south with the northern end beginning at the junction of the Rue Lavaud with Woodills Road, and the southern end terminating at the Garden of Tane, about a half an hour walk end to end. The eastern boundary of the area includes the L'Aube Hill Reserve and French Cemetery, and Stanley Park. The western boundary is the French Bay, marked by Dalys Wharf at the end of the Rue Balguerie and by the Main Wharf at Beach Rd and Church St.
- Akaroa Museum, 71 Rue Lavaud (corner of Rue Balguerie). M–F and daily during school holidays 10:30 am-4 pm. Three heritage buildings - the Langlois-Et eveneaux cottage (early 1840s), the Customs House (early 1850s), and the Court House (1878) - are part of the Akaroa Museum complex. The Long Harbour - a 20 minute DVD - tells of the volcanic origins of Akaroa and its settlement. The permanent collection includes a complete edition of the Akaroa Mail from 1876, nineteenth and twentieth-century costume, photographic and family history archives. Free.
- The Gaiety Hall, 105 Rue Jolie. The façade has Italianate/Classical detailing that is usually executed in stone, but here entirely of wood. It was built in 1879 by the Oddfellows Lodge. By the late 20th century it had become dilapidated, but a group of three local women took the venerable building in hand. The Gaiety Trust raised more than $300,000 to renovate the building. Wonderfully restored and brought back to life, it is once again a popular venue for community events.
- Pohatu Marine Reserve at Flea Bay. Take Onuku Rd, then Lighthouse Rd, then Flea Bay Rd. The bay is the center of the Pohatu Marine Reserve, set aside to protect the natural marine environment. The drive takes about forty minutes, sometimes on steep and exposed shingle roads, and 4WD is recommended. The drive has excellent views back over Akaroa Harbour.
- The Giant's House, 68 Rue Balguerie. 12 PM-4 PM depending on the season. An artist transformed this historic hillside house with a whimsical garden of sculptures and colorful tiles. Interesting oddities around every corner and good views.
What to do in Akaroa, New Zealand
- Akaroa Dolphins cruise, 65 Beach Rd. Daily 12:45 pm; summer: also 10:15 am and 3:15 pm. Two-hour cruise to see Hector's dolphins, fur seals, little blue penguins, and other wildlife, and sea caves and volcanic cliffs.
- Akaroa Harbour cruise (Black Cat Cruises), 61 Beach Rd or on the wharf. Daily 1:30 pm; summer: also 11 am and 3:40 pm. Two-hour cruise to see Hector's dolphins, fur seals, little blue penguins, and other wildlife, and sea caves and volcanic cliffs.
- Ecoseaker, Dalys Wharf, toll-free: 0800 326 794, e-mail: [email protected]. Oct-Apr, meet at 11:50 am. Swim with Hector's dolphins, or you can just watch. The boat takes a maximum of twelve swimmers and gets you close to the dolphins even when you are on board. You may also see marine birdlife, including little blue penguins, and fur seals, and visit sea caves at the base of the volcanic cliffs around the harbor. Hot chocolate and biscuits are provided after the swim. Trip lasts up to 3.5 hours. Wetsuit, mask, and snorkel provided. Children must be at least 8 years old. It pays to book as numbers are limited.
- Swimming with dolphins (Black Cat Cruises), 61 Beach Rd or on the wharf. Report times Sep-Apr 8:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm; May 11:30 am only. Swimming with Hector's dolphins. Three hours in total, including 2 hours on the water and up to an hour with the dolphins. Wetsuit, mask, and snorkel provided.
What to eat and drink in Akaroa, New Zealand
Eat- Bully Hayes, 57 Beach Road, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7533. Open 7 days from 8 am; Longtime Akaroa favorite.
- The Brasserie, 41 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3-304 8585. Open 8:30-4:30 M-W; 8:30-9 pm Th-Sun. Lovely garden for outdoor dining.
- Rona's, 42 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 3048533. Open Thu-Mon only. Seasonal food a specialty
- Harbar, 83 Rue Jolie, Akaroa. Open daily 8:00 am-10:00 pm. one of the only truly waterfront restaurants in Akaroa.
- Little Bistro, 33 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7314.
- The Wharf, 73 Beach Road, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7842.
- Bully Hayes, 57 Beach Road, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7533. Open 7 days from 8 am. Long-time Akaroa favorite.
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Maderia Hotel, 48 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7009.
- The Grand Hotel, 6 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, ☎ +64 3 304 7011.
Shopping in Akaroa, New Zealand
There are many shops with lovely souvenirs in the center of Akaroa. Most shops are open until 5.30 pm.Safety in Akaroa, New Zealand
Emergency telephone number: 111
Use your common sense: don't demonstrate your jewelry and other valuables, be polite, avoid remote, isolated places, although you should also avoid big crowds or groups of youth.Language spoken in Akaroa, New Zealand
English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language are official languages.
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