Best of Akaroa Harbour

Akaroa Harbour Essentials

Akaroa Harbour blends French colonial history with Māori heritage on the Banks Peninsula. This selection features The Giant's House, known for its extensive mosaic sculptures, and the Akaroa Museum, which documents the region's unique settlement history. Natural highlights include the Onawe Pa volcanic headland and Shamarra Alpacas Farm. The list also covers significant landmarks like the 1840 French Cemetery and the Britomart monument, alongside opportunities to view local wildlife such as Hector’s dolphins and fur seals.

Akaroa Harbour Essentials — Map

Martina Kellnerová / CC-BY-SA

A

The Giant's House

Whimsical garden and gallery featuring large-scale mosaic sculptures, colorful tiling, and ceramics created by artist Josie Martin.

Mchung / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

Banks Peninsula Track

The Banks Track is a 31 kilometre private walking track on the Banks Peninsula on the South Island of New Zealand in the Canterbury region.

C

Akaroa Dolphins

Family-run boat tours specializing in encounters with the rare Hector’s dolphins within the volcanic harbour.

D

Shamarra Alpacas Farm

Working farm offering tours to interact with over 170 alpacas, situated on the slopes of the Akaroa volcano with panoramic harbour views.

E

Akaroa Museum

Museum focused on the history of Banks Peninsula, featuring exhibits on Māori heritage, French and British settlement, and the local whaling industry.

F

Dalys Wharf

Historic timber wharf providing views of the harbour and serving as a departure point for local water activities.

G

Onawe Pa

Site of a former Ngāi Tahu fortress located on a distinctive volcanic peninsula in Akaroa Harbour.

H

Seal colony

Natural habitat for New Zealand fur seals located along the rugged coastline of the outer harbour.

I

St Peter's Anglican Church - Akaroa

1863 timber church featuring traditional Gothic Revival architecture and historic stained glass windows.

J

Historic French Cemetery

Established in 1840 on L'Aube Hill, this is the oldest consecrated cemetery in Canterbury and the burial site of early French settlers.

K

Newtons Waterfall

A 9-metre waterfall accessible via a short walking track through native forest.

L

Britomart monument

Memorial at Greens Point commemorating the 1840 landing of the HMS Britomart and the assertion of British sovereignty over the South Island.