Reylan

Hi There, anyone been to or live around Akaroa? We are hoping to take a trip there and wondered what people thought and what you recommend to see. Thanks

Woodlea

We love Akaroa. It's a tiny little place so not much to do - but hey that's NZ, just nice to wander round the French streets and take in the cafes. Fish and chips on the pier is recommended. Also a walk up to the Britomart monument to see the Union Flag flying to mark the landing of the Brits to claim the island for Her Maj and thus stopping the Frogs from claiming it. Drive to Duvauchelle and have a walk up Onawe Pa and read up on what happened when Te Rauparaha came south to attack and eat what he could of Ngai Tahu. Then carry on round for some nice cheese at Barry's Bay (past the place where the oldest pub in NZ used to be before the EQs!) and then round to French Farm for the view.
Enjoy!

Tom H

Make sure you stop at Little River on the way.
A few walks to do, the station cafe has an interesting art selection to view and some interesting boards to read up on the Christchurch Little River railway during the early 20th century.

When in Akaroa, see if you can hire a boat and paddle out to the dolphins. Just be wary of the tourist boats and the cruise ships during cruise season.

If you can stay late, it's well worth going to watch the penguins come in from their fish swim to feed their young. You can get very close to them and they're in their natural habitat. I think you have to be off the land by 10, something to do with NZ conservation rules.

Timmy Chch

Agree with both comments, little river is awesome and go for the pier fush n chups, don't get suckered in to the 'worlds best fish and chips' nearby, yeah nah! Hit up the tourist info as a fair few local events regularly go on like small festivals, art things etc.

Reylan

Thanks so much to all of you! That's just the info I wanted. May well stay over so we can see the Penguins, that would be cool. Fish n chips...mmmmmmmmm. Look forward to some great walks and will check out local events too.

Can't wait to go now 😀

SSky

Akaroa is lovely, some of my art work is on sale in the Lava Gallery there.

Pom_Chch

Akaroa is one of my favourite spots, it's like a different world there! On a clear sunny day the drive in is awesome. Sit and enjoy a beer at the Hilltop Cafe and enjoy the views out to sea.

A trip to the penguins is a must! I took my partner there as a birthday present with Pohatu penguins. We did the overnight stay option and stayed in a little house just meters from the sea and saw some of the penguins being rehabilitated back to health - it was just brilliant

We went back recently and had dinner at The little Bistro, which I would also recommend. If you want to go I would book early as they get booked solidly in summer over the weekend.

Reylan

Thanks so much to everyone. So much information and a lovely break to plan!