Day trips
24 April 2026
Akaroa day trips
Discover Akaroa, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s favourite coastal hideaway. Explore historic French streets, local cuisine, and gorgeous harbour vibes. Plan your escape.
How to spend a day in Akaroa?
Akaroa has long been Ōtautahi Christchurch’s favourite coastal hideaway, largely for its village charm, gorgeous harbour and proximity to the city (1.5 hours from the city centre).
The first European settlers of Akaroa were the French, and it shows. From the street names to the cuisine, Akaroa oozes culture and flavour – a delightful mash-up of European charm and Kiwi coastal vibes.
With so much on offer, it can be hard to narrow down your itinerary. Check out these day trip hot spots, or book yourself a room for a few nights and explore the town in depth.
For more inspiration, check out our guide to a longer stay.
What wildlife experiences can you have in Akaroa?
Akaroa Dolphins
Embark on a luxurious two‑hour cruise through the Akaroa Harbour with locally owned and operated Akaroa Dolphins.
With an impressive success rate for spotting Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, as well as white‑flippered penguins and New Zealand fur seals, every tour offers a memorable encounter with the region’s remarkable wildlife.
Enjoy engaging, informative commentary, complimentary refreshments, and a wonderfully relaxed day immersed in the stunning scenery of Akaroa.
Shamarra Alpacas
Rolling green hills filled with seriously fluffy alpacas, all among the clouds above enormous harbour views.
Your mates will not believe the photos you take at Shamarra Alpacas are real.
The team here care for more than 170 grazing alpacas and has won awards for it.
Feed the alpacas, pat them, give them cuddles. Cuteness awaits in the hills above Akaroa.
Pōhatu Penguins – Sea Kayaking Safari
Explore Akaroa’s wild coast by kayak.
After a scenic 4WD trip to Pōhatu Marine Reserve, paddle beneath towering cliffs, enter sea-caves and spot fur seals, penguins and seabirds while you’re at it!
No experience is needed with all the gear and guidance provided.
As the only DOC-approved kayaking operator in Akaroa, Pōhatu Penguins guarantees seal sightings and delivers a safe, unforgettable adventure on beautiful Banks Peninsula.
What cultural experiences are available in Akaroa?
The Giants House
It cannot be overstated how crazy the house and gardens are at The Giants House.
Terraced lawns. Huge harbour views. Whimsical and colourful mosaic sculptures everywhere, and that’s just the garden.
Creative genius Josie Martin has created a unique destination that tops our Akaroa must-do list.
Akaroa Museum
This is your chance to get inside one of the charming heritage cottages that dot the streets of Akaroa and learn more about the area’s history.
Conveniently located right on Rue Lavaud, the village's main thoroughfare, the museum occupies the historic Langlois-Eteveneaux cottage, a rare remnant of the French presence in Akaroa.
The museum has since expanded to include four exhibition galleries and two additional heritage buildings, the Akaroa Court House and the Custom House.
Open seven days a week and with free entry, the museum is an ideal wet day retreat and a fascinating place to spend a few hours.
What's the best way to experience nature in Akaroa?
Akaroa scenic mail run
The eastern bays of Banks Peninsula are home to beautiful beaches at the end of windy gravel roads, so what better way to see this rugged and remote landscape than with the people who drive through it to deliver the post nearly every day?
This special experience is one of the only onshore mail run tours in New Zealand and has charmed both locals and tourists for more than 40 years.
It is a relaxing way to see a slice of rural Kiwi life hidden from most and to get off the beaten track.
You’ll learn local history and folklore and see isolated, gorgeous vistas of the fringes of the peninsula.
Akaroa Lavender
Enjoy stunning views over Akaroa Harbour from this beautifully managed land that has been regenerated with more than 35,000 native plants.
In winter, the lavender takes a back seat to a one-hour stroll and a wider look at the conservation story that has been built over 35 years.
Get up close to the native birds that call the land home, including: kererū /native pigeon, korimako/bellbird, tui, pīpipi /brown creeper, titipounamu/rifleman, pīwakawaka/fantail, and ruru/morepork and kahu/hawk.
Akaroa Lavender also offers accommodation if you get the urge to extend your day trip.
Solar Explorer – Akaroa Stargazing
Take a peek at our closest star in the safest way possible.
From the historic Akaroa Lighthouse, join a guided tour using solar scopes to spy sunspots and solar flares you’d never see with the naked eye.
Your guide will bring the science of stars to life with captivating stories and answers to all your questions. Inspiring, educational, and surprisingly cool. Enjoy daytime stargazing with no astronomy knowledge required.
Where are some great places to eat in Akaroa?
Ma Maison
Prime location, premium menu and pristine harbour views, Ma Maison is a hospitality staple in Akaroa.
There’s a playground right outside to entertain the kids and a fresh local menu to satisfy any and all cravings.
A sure-fire pleaser is the fresh fish of the day, with myriad seafood options to complement the coastal vibe.
Tīni
This stylish bar and eatery is the closest you can get to the water’s edge in Akaroa while also sampling the region’s finest food and wine.
Tīni sits on a seawall right in the middle of town with views of the wharf, the wildlife and the waves.
Get there for a pizza and a pint, or a platter and a pinot. Guest beers on tap, and the best of the local stuff too.
stay longer, do more
Akaroa winter escape deals
Made the most of Akaroa with the best deals on stays and things to do.
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