Just East of Christchurch lies the volcanic Banks Peninsula. Its landscape makes for stunning harbours, beautiful bays and lovely local produce. There’s plenty to do and see here, making it a great place to base yourselves for a relaxing holiday. Here’s a selection of the best spots and things to do during your stay.
Akaroa
Akaroa lies at the very eastern end of the Banks Peninsula. It has a distinct French character, delicious local food and plenty of sightseeing and walks. Akaroa also has a bit of history, with the customs house (now part of the museum) being established to help control the smuggling of alcohol during prohibition. Here’s a few highlights on things to do in Akaroa, though the list goes on and on!
The Giants House
Credit: http://www.thegiantshouse.co.nz/
The giants house looks like someone waved a magical wand of artistry over a beautiful historical building. It’s filled to the brim with bright and quirky original artworks, sculptures, mosaics and gardens. There’s nothing else quite like it. The gardens are an attraction in themselves, spreading bright colours around the house. You’ll find citrus trees, roses, flowers and even vegetables! Have a light lunch at their cafe that is fittingly covered in art as well.
Akaroa Seal Colony Safari
Credit: http://www.sealtours.co.nz/
The New Zealand fur seal has got to be one of our cutest native animals. With the Akaroa seal colony safari, you can get right up close to them and spend an afternoon hanging out in their natural habitat. It’s the perfect family adventure, nothing is too strenuous for the kids and they get to see animals out of the zoo! They offer both a morning and an afternoon tour departing daily, but you’ll need to book in advance. This is definitely not something to miss.
Banks Peninsula Walking Track
Credit: http://www.bankstrack.co.nz/
This two or four day hike starts and ends in Akaroa. It will take you along the coast of the Banks Peninsula, creating a mix of hilly and coastal terrains. This is the perfect holiday for those more active adventurers – we recommend rounding up a group of mates and conquering this track together. It’s worth booking a nice and comfortable holiday home for before and after the tramp. This makes sure you’ll be refreshed at the start, and can have a flop on the couch with a few well-deserved beers at the end. Check out more information on how to tackle this track here.
Sailing Cruises
Credit: www.fourcorners.co.nz
So, you’re nestled on a beautiful harbour with stunning scenery around you. What’s better to do than experience your surroundings from the water on a sailing cruise? Great for group activities or families, these cruises take roughly two and a half hours, either in the morning or afternoon. You’ll be in the well capable hands of an experienced sailor, and might even spot some hectors dolphins (our smallest dolphins), blue penguins and fur seals. It’s a more relaxing experience than the regular boat tours, but if you’re more interested in swimming with the dolphins then be sure to check out Ecoseeker.
Great Places to Eat
Akaroa Butchery and Deli. Credit: www.akaroa.com
Akaroa has some fine food on offer, so the occasional dinner out or cafe breakfast should definitely be on the cards. Here’s a few of the best and most-loved places to eat.
- Akaroa Fish and Chips: It’s a kiwi classic and these guys do it very well – earning themselves fame in the food world. They serve the classic huge portions, but their difference is they’re big on fresh flavours and lower (than usual) on the grease.
- Bully Hayes: This cafe has the perfect brunch setting. Grab a table outside on the waterfront and sip on a beautiful L’affare coffee while you take in the gorgeous views. When the sun’s about to set it’s also the perfect place to grab some Monteiths on tap and cheers your family and friends.
- Akaroa Butchery and Deli: This is the meat-eaters dream; an old-fashioned style butchery with premium cuts, delicatessen food and a French flair. Grab something to cook back at the bach or get a selection of deli meats and nibbles for a great harbour-side picnic.
- Barrys Bay Cheese: If Akaroa was a cheese shop, it would be Barrys Bay Cheese. Lovingly handcrafted cheeses can be found here, all locally made (from the cows to the shop). They stock at the Akaroa butchery and deli but if you want to get a whiff of their factory while shopping around, pop into their factory shop.
Inspired? Find holiday homes in Akaroa here.
Lyttelton
Over on the northern side of the Banks Peninsula lies Lyttelton Harbour, a main port for the nearby city of Christchuch. This seaside town attracts visitors from all over with it’s great cafes, historic buildings and art.
Farmers Market
Credit: http://www.lyttelton.net.nz/
This community-run market is the largest in the region, sporting a huge array of all the good stuff. Local produce and meats flood in from around the area to be showcased each week alongside talented musicians. It’s best to go early in the morning to make sure you get the pick of the crop. Our suggestion is to skip out on the supermarket, load up with these fresh goodies and pack a picnic for a great family day out.
Quail Island
Credit: http://www.doc.govt.nz/
Taking a ferry out to Quail Island will give you a great family day out at the beach. Pack your togs and a picnic (perhaps from the farmer’s market) and you’ll be all set. There’s the option to go on a walk through the reserve, or just spend the day lounging with a nice book or setting up a sand-castle building competition. It’s best to visit here on a summer’s day, but the walks are still good during the colder months.
Ohinetahi Garden
Credit: designascape.blogspot.co.nz
The Ohinetahi Garden spans back to 1865 where the first botanist in New Zealand (aptly names Potts) planted a range of rare and exotic plants. Now you can roam the maintained gardens and even picnic on its lawns for just a small entry fee. Gardeners will immediately realise that the craft that goes into the garden’s creation and upkeep is something to admire. It has structure to it but also a bit of natural order left to grow. When visiting, the head gardener will most likely take you through the garden itself, giving you a great overview for you to later spend time enjoying.
Have a look at our Lyttleton holiday homes.
Diamond Harbour
Our last point of interest in the Banks Peninsula is the wonderful Diamond Harbour (just 18 minutes away drive from Port Levy). Lying on the opposite side of the Lyttleton Harbour, it’s another great location to relax, unwind and do all the other things you’re meant to do on holiday. Here’s a few great activities to do while you stay here.
Stoddart Point Recreational Reserve
Margaret Stoddart is a well-known historical figure in the Cantebury region, famous for her artworks and support of the art community. The Stoddarts Cottage is open on Sunday afternoons and is the perfect location for high-tea and art exhibitions. The reserve itself is a great place for scenic walks with the family, but it also has a couple of cool features. Live at the point is a weekly Sunday afternoon session of local live music that runs through the summer. They plan to support local musicians and also get a wide range of different music genres to perform.
Mt. Herbert Walkway
Summit Views. Credit: https://annettewoodford.files.wordpress.com
Climb up to the summit of Mt. Herbert for spectacular 360 views looking towards the harbour, Timaru, and Kaikoura. Being 919 metres high, the walk itself is quite a challenge, so it’s not one for the couch potatoes! View more walks in the area here.
Insider Tip: “On the wharf there’s a couple of great rope swings. Kids love swinging off them into the water!”
Have a look at our accommodation in Diamond Harbour.
Over to you…
Do you have any secret spots or favourite activities in the Banks Peninsula area? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Properties in Banks Peninsula
Harbour View – Akaroa
Harbour view is a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom Akaroa Accommodation. Enjoying an elevated position to capture gorgeous sea and town views, this cute and cosy home is a great option for families and couples! View the listing here.
Sailors Retreat – Lyttelton
Sailors Retreat is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Lyttelton holiday home. Maintaining plenty of original character and charm, this gorgeous house is tastefully furnished with a modern edge… Unwind in comfort and admire the stunning harbour views from the courtyard. View the listing here.
