Akaroa: Ooh La La, Aotearoa's Little French Riviera

Nestled in a picturesque bay one hours drive from Christchurch; you’ll find the pretty seaside town of Akaroa: New Zealand’s own little piece of France. With French settlers numbering among the first European immigrants to the area, Akaroa has retained a French flavour, and this is evident in the street names, the local fare, and the vibe of this stunning village.

Akaroa sits in prime position to enjoy the delights of the sea: fresh fish, boat trips both to catch your own and to see for yourself incredible scenes of dolphins in the wild and the absolute delight of the Little Blue Penguins – so pretty they don’t seem real and yet here you can get up close and personal to these darling little creatures. There is a waterfront complete with little boats bobbing in the bay, and what seaside town would be complete without the offer of rowboats and pedal boats to hire down at the wharf?

Akaroa is a small town – if you’re the adventurous sort who like to keep busy, a day or two is enough for you in Akaroa. However, if its rest and quiet days you’re looking for, give yourself longer here, the seaside air is good for the soul.

Take a walk on the jetty, Akaroa

Nature at the Southern Seaside: Dolphins and Penguins

There are many options for taking in some of the really special local populations of both dolphins and penguins. Whether you’re visiting from afar or simply day-tripping from your local home, this really is something you must take the time for – you may find yourself having a truly magical experience that will become a cherished memory. We highly recommend this tour for an incredible experience.

The Giant’s House

Did that get your attention? Every now and then, when you’re traveling, you’ll stumble across something weird and wonderful, something truly unique that some dedicated, creative, talented, local mind has dreamt up and left to share with the world, and this is one of them. Check out The Giant's House here.

The Giant’s House overlooks Akaroa, and boasts a stunning botanical garden filled with wonderful mosaic creations to inspire and delight – do not miss it!

Cooking Anyone?

We love a cooking class when we’re travelling, as foodies who love to sample local fare and take the time to chat with local foodies about what is so good in their area. Akaroa has a really special option for this in The Akaroa Cooking School: run by a local family, and showcasing local ingredients, you can choose from various themes they offer for this. After enjoying a detailed cooking demonstration up close and personal, you’ll be given all the recipes and menus to take away, and invited to sit down and dine on all they’ve prepared at the long, sociable table, wine pairings included.

They also have a small shop of kitchenwares that is hard to resist. Situated right on the waterfront with views across the bay, this one is highly recommended.

Shopping

Allow a few hours to wander idly along the main street, and you’ll discover a wonderful array of little shops to explore. You’ll find everything from local crafts, modern boutique clothing, souvenirs, and a great selection of antique and collectables. Take your time to explore and find some real treasures to remember your visit.

Stay

There are a multitude of options for accommodation in Akaroa, from pretty little cottages for rent, motels and hotels, and modern holiday homes. For something different, we recommend the Top Ten Holiday Park. This is high on the hill looking across the bay and down onto the township, and boasts quaint little holiday lets in the form of vintage caravans with little extensions for more space. You’ll need a basic fitness level for climbing the path up to the park from the village, but the view is simply stunning. For something a little more sedate try La Rochelle Motel, in a beautiful garden setting and close to the wonderful cafes of Akaroa. If the beautiful little cottages area drawing you in, to experience the delightful little homes echoing the French Settler experience, try Bachcare.

The Beautiful Bay of Akaroa

Eat

Akaroa is heavily influenced both by the sea, and by its French roots, and so you can expect some wonderful offerings from its cafes and restaurants. We recommend Bully Hayes, a popular seafront eatery. Bully Hayes is a casual restaurant, but boasts fabulous seafood; whether in front of the fire in winter, or dining al fresco in summer, it’s a great spot.

In good weather, Akaroa is the perfect picnic spot – check out the cafes for fabulous pastries, and even the local butcher stocks gorgeous French breads and pâté you can take across the road to the park or the beach to eat while you watch the boats go by.