Akaroa is Adorable

Akaroa, in the Banks Peninsular, South Island of New Zealand, is a leisurely 90 minute drive from Christchurch

It’s a slow moving, seaside town preserving the last remnants of France’s attempt at colonising New Zealand back in 1838. The streets have retained their original French names and the flavour of the town is maintained with several tricolour draped around the place. 

It’s more substantial than first glance with some significant homes sprawling over the surrounding hillsides. However the intended impression is of a tiny picturesque village of mostly cute weatherboard cottages and delightful gardens planted with seasonal hollyhocks and hydrangeas, climbing roses and dahlias. 

Best places to stay in Akaroa

• Newton Heights – A beautiful luxury Bed and Breakfast perched up in the hills overlooking the Akaroa Harbour.
• Beaufort House – A stunning elevated property in the hills about a twelve minute stroll to the town centre.
• Annandale Villas – Luxury accommodation on a magnificent coastal farm in Pigeon Bay about 30 minutes scenic drive from Akaroa.
• French Bay House – Great location in Akaroa town (I stayed here) It is owned by hardworking young hosts who have transformed the original doctor’s home into a Bed and Breakfast haven that includes a supply of freshly laid eggs from their own chooks, and home grown tomatoes. The duo have a working history in bespoke luxury travel and know well how to care for their guests.

Best places to eat in Akaroa

There are loads of good hospitality venues catering to all tastes in Akaroa and I tried out way too many for my waistline. Listed below are my favourites;

• The Common – brunch, and especially wonderful if you’re visiting with your pooch – if it’s a cutie it may become a fixture on their doggie photo board
• The Cake Room – morning or afternoon tea, delicious home baked delights every day
• Ma Maison – lunch or dinner- great view over the bay
• Tini Gin Bar – drinks, lunch or dinner, very relaxed counter service with the best harbour view in Akaoroa (Tini is a colloquial term used in New Zealand for a small boat)
• The Little Bistro – dinner – small venue, good food, and a ‘no kids’ policy that enhances an indulgent evening for all their diners.

Fun places to socialise

• Madeira, known by locals as The Mad, – well priced food, fun pub and backpackers accommodation.
• The Grand Hotel – live music most nights, decent food and drinks, and standard accommodation.
• Akaroa Craft Distillery – gin and drinks, great weekend vibe.

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Things to do in Akaroa

• Akaroa town centre – Nothing much here seems to open before 10am, and even then doors open on ‘Akaroa time’, but it’s an entertaining morning wandering through the eclectic collection of shops, from bright and bold clothing at Mr Peacock, to scruffy second hand markets, La Boucherie, the wonderful L’Escargot Rouge Deli, a few lovely homewares outlets, the general store and there’s even an old fashioned emporium selling most things imaginable. There are a couple of good galleries and several souvenir shops worth snooping through and the small but informative Akaroa Museum is worth visiting too.
  
• The Giants House is a unique highlight in Akaroa boasting a spectacular garden and permanent art exhibition developed over 27 years by the artist, Josie Martin. She’s created an extensive mosaic masterpiece (and more) that everyone should enjoy. Her property inspires the imagination of little children and enthrals appreciative adults. She works two hours in her garden most mornings before the 11.00am opening and it shows. There is much to discover so ensure you set aside more than an hour to comb through every inch and visit the small on-site gallery to watch the informative video being screened. Afternoon tea seated under the trees with home baking from The Artist’s Palate cafe is rather wonderful too.
  

• Boat tours to see the dolphins and sea-life – Akaroa town wraps around French Bay in the protected waters of Akaroa Harbour so it is easy to gather on the wharf to join this boat tour, or this sailing excursion, or this kayaking tour to observe pods of rare Hector Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins, prolific bird life, and sometimes even whales are in the area. If swimming with dolphins is truly on your bucket list you can join this three hour excursion.
  
• The Lighthouse and Britomart Monument – Back on dry land, there’s an historic lighthouse to view and further along the road is the Britomart Monument that marks the spot where the British first planted their flag here in 1840. On your return to the town centre, if you’re into tombstones and the history of the departed, you’ll pass a small, somewhat derelict Anglican cemetery. And there’s a commemorative memorial honouring who was buried in the French cemetery on the other side of town too. 
  
• Walking tracks – Akaroa is surrounded by hillsides of beautiful nature reserves and forests so bring walking shoes if you’re keen to exercise. Tramp through some of the extensive lands of the Hinewai Reserve or stroll along the particularly lovely Banks Peninsula walking tracks or try the Children’s Bay Rhino Walk along the headland on which you pass several fun animal sculptures on the way to visiting the life size rhino art installation at the top.
  
• Wineries -Akaroa is not known as a wine region in New Zealand but there are a couple wineries in the area, namely French Peak and Takamatua Valley Vineyard.
  
• Classes – If you’ve got more than a day or so, get your creative juices flowing by joining in with pottery classes at Akaroa Pottery and Craft, or cooking classes at the Akaroa Cooking School.
  
• Beaches – you’ll need a car to access the several other beautiful bays nearby (I use rentalcars.com to search for the best priced car rental options). Most tourists head to Stony Bay, but if you can bear a twisting hilly road, loop around to Okains Bay along Summit Road and Tourist Drive. There is a small museum, a church, and a general store here that serves the campsite. However, if you prefer a beach of isolated beauty, take your own picnic and drop down to Le Bon’s Bay for a stunning swim.  

As you may have already realised, I waddled out of Akaroa with all my senses (especially taste) fully sated. It’s a lovely town and well worth a couple of days visit or an overnight detour if you’re road tripping through New Zealand.