Travel Guide of Akaroa in New Zealand by Influencers and Travelers
Akaroa is a small town on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name. The name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for "Long Harbour", which would be spelled "Whangaroa" in standard Māori.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in Akaroa
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1 - Akaroa Harbour
6 km away
Akaroa Harbour, is part of Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The harbour enters from the southern coast of the peninsula, heading in a predominantly northerly direction.
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2 - Godley Head
28 km away
Godley Head, known to Māori as Awaroa or Otokitoki for the wider area, and called Cachalot Head by early French explorers, is a prominent headland in Christchurch, New Zealand, located at the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour.
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3 - Shore Excursions in Akaroa
While your ship is in port in Akaroa Harbour, take a shore excursion to tour the scenic Banks Peninsula and visit the city of Christchurch. You’ll see how Christchurch is emerging from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake. Take a brief stroll through the city’s beautiful botanic gardens and admire New Zealand’s magnificent scenery.
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4 - Godley Head Road
28 km away
Scarborough is a hillside suburb above Sumner in Christchurch, New Zealand. Scarborough is located between Sumner and Te Onepoto / Taylors Mistake. It was named for the seaside resort in North Yorkshire, England.
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5 - Sumner
30 km away
Sumner is a coastal seaside suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand and was surveyed and named in 1849 in honour of John Bird Sumner, the then newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and president of the Canterbury Association.
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6 - Kayaking Tours in Akaroa
Join one of the best kayak adventures in New Zealand, jump into a safe stable sea kayak and follow our local guides as we take you on a spectacular tour through an untouched marine reserve which now exists in a flooded volcanic crater from millions of years ago. The geology and scenery will blow your mind during this 3-hour small-group wildlife and sea-kayaking safari. Paddle along through the clear blue water, you get the feeling you are in a postcard! Your guide will keep watch for sightings of native endangered New Zealand animal and bird life. Pause for a snack break on a nearby beach, and enjoy a little free time to explore, swim, or soak up the serenity at your leisure. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, This activity is often voted the highlight of a NZ holiday!
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7 - Lyttelton
30 km away
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, at the northwestern end of Banks Peninsula and close to Christchurch, on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
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8 - Christchurch Gondola
31 km away
The Christchurch Gondola is a tourist attraction service offered by Christchurch Attractions in Christchurch, New Zealand. The gondola base is located in Heathcote Valley, and it traverses the slopes of Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills.
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9 - Dolphin Watching in Akaroa
At the core, we’re a family business with our management team being 5th & 6th generation Banks Peninsula locals. Alongside our family members, we have a passionate team who are committed to you having a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We keep our passenger groups small so that you have more room to move around the boat, and enjoy your cruise without overcrowding or missing dolphin sightings due to a shortage of viewing space. Our boat has a low-lying profile which means you get closer to the wildlife! When you board our boat you’ll be offered a complimentary drink. Choose from beer, award-winning local wine or non-alcoholic options. You’ll also enjoy our famous home-baked treats made from our family recipe and served to you by our delightful onboard crew. We are committed to the conservation of our harbour's environment and wildlife. After all, it’s the centre point of our business. *Check-in is 30 minutes prior to the departure, with boarding 15 minutes beforehand.
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10 - Port Hills
34 km away
The Port Hills are a range of hills in Canterbury, New Zealand, so named because they lie between the city of Christchurch and its port at Lyttelton. They are an eroded remnant of the Lyttelton volcano, which erupted millions of years ago.
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11 - New Brighton
38 km away
New Brighton is a coastal suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, 8 kilometres east of the city centre. At the 2013 census, it had a population of 2,442. The 2011 Christchurch earthquakes caused significant damage in the area.
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12 - Swim with Dolphins in Akaroa
Make a date with the worlds smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins only on Akaroa Harbour. There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with wild Hector's dolphins, also known as the New Zealand Dolphin, and that is the beautiful destination of Akaroa Harbour. With only 12 swimmers per vessel this is an intimate wildlife experience. During a briefing and instruction on how to interact responsibly with Hector’s dolphins, learn what to expect prior to your water adventure. Then don your provided wetsuit and mask and slip into the blue waters to observe these magnificent marine mammals up close. After your dolphin swim, you can warm up quickly in the heated cabin and enjoy a warm beverage and biscuit, available onboard, followed by a hot shower when back at the wharf. There is an option to join this experience as a spectator of the swim experience. This option to watch is only available when booking and travelling with a swimmer.
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13 - Christchurch
40 km away
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. The Christchurch urban area lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula.
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14 - Avon River
40 km away
The Avon River / Ōtākaro flows through the centre of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, and out to an estuary, which it shares with the Heathcote River, the Avon Heathcote Estuary.
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15 - Safaris in Akaroa
Sail in the crater of an extinct volcano with the rarest dolphins in the world. Long encounters and beautiful scenery. 3 hour trip on a quiet sailboat in nature. You can also see penguins, seals and albatross. The Fox II is a vintage sailboat, almost 100 years old! Made from wood, 2 masts and 6 sails. It is the oldes ketch in New Zealand. Has been in movies, TV shows and is famous all over the world. Visit amazing sea caves, cliffs, waterfalls and venture out into the pacific on this safe, quiet, truely memorable experience. Eco friendly, with minimal carbon footprint. Make the choice for a better future.
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16 - Cathedral Square
40 km away
Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located.
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Pictures and Stories of Akaroa from Influencers
3 pictures of Akaroa from Edward Manson, Michael, Jannes Mingram and other travelers
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