Akaroa & The Bays

What is so special about Banks Peninsula?

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Originally an 'island' formed by two volcanic cones, the peninsula has two dominant craters which form Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. The peninsula was named for botanist Joseph Banks, who sailed with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour.

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Banks Peninsula is one of New Zealand's most unique landforms. With endless hills, bays and hidden bush, this is Nature's Playground right on Christchurch's doorstep. Akaroa and its surrounds are steeped in Māori and settler history, adventures and unique experiences. 

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Over several million years, eruptions and erosion in the volcanic complex carved the picturesque valleys, tumbling hills, verdant pastures and punctuating bays that we see today. You will love a visit.

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Full Day Private Guided Tour:  From Christchurch or Lyttelton Port.

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​We'll collect you from your accommodation at 09:00 am and have you back at your accommodation by 5:00 pm the same day.

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Cruise passengers: We'll meet you at Lyttelton Port at 09:00 and have you back at the Information Centre in time for the final shuttle. - promise

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• We'll take in the bays, there are over 30 of them as we head towards the french inspired gtown of Akaroa, Maori for 'Long Harbour'.

• Teddington is a very small community on Banks Peninsula at the head of Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō. It sits on the junction of the road to Gebbies Pass and the road from  Purau to Christchurch.

• It dates back to the early settlers of Christchurch but is now reduced to a pub and a restored working blacksmith's forge. The farms lap the road where sheep and horses frolic in the paddocks.

              Tsunami​

• An earthquake near Chile on 23 May 1960 caused a tsunami which crossed the Pacific to hit New Zealand. The tsunami was funnelled up Lyttelton Harbour and flooded low-lying farmland and the Wheatsheaf Tavern in Teddington.  A similar event occurred in 2010 following an earthquake in Chile with three waves that were greater than two metres high inundating the head of the harbour around Teddington.

• Gebbies Pass

• Lake Forsyth - one of few lakes in the world that is only 3 ft deep

• Lake Ellesmere - Te Waihora is a shallow, brackish coastal lake, Canterbury’s largest and New Zealand’s fifth largest, and an internationally important wildlife area.

• Little River - A coaching stop on the route to Akaroa, and the terminus of a branch railway from 1886 until 1962, Little River developed as a sawmilling settlement, supplying timber to Christchurch. It is a quaint little town now depicting its history with the railway museum, provides a venue where the local craftspeople can to display and sell all manner of original nick nacks. You'll get a good coffee too!

• Barry's Bay historic cheese factory. See the cheese being made* and sample a wide range cheeses made as cheese used to be made.   (*Factory working Mon to Friday 8 to 4 pm.)

• Akaroa - The most French town in New Zealand, Akaroa will have you entranced with its historic buildings, magnificent harbour and passion for fine food. History, whaling, Maori land wars all in this little package of delight so interesting because only 800 people live in Akaaroa 

  • Add a visit to the local organic winery, Shamarra working Alpaca Farm or take a 2 hour wildlife cruise featuring NZ's Hector Dolphins. Just ask...and it can be done!

• Christchurch, as time permits your guide will share with you areas of interest following the massive magnitude 7.1 and 6.3 earthquakes in 2010-11 respectively. A chance to see how the old and the new architecture is being blended into The Garden City.

• Delivered to your Port of Christchurch Accommodation where we will reluctantly say goodbye.​

 

Tour inclusions:

• Luxury air conditioned private travel with your own experienced local guide.

• Informative commentary

• Loads of photo opportunities recommended by your guide.

• Complimentary snacks.

• Complimentary bottled NZ Spring Water.

• Flexibility - all tours can be customised unlike a rigid bus tour.

• Picked up and returned to your accommodation or cruise ship.

  • The cruise ship tour is slightly shorter to make way for cruise departure times but generally follows the same itinerary.​