| THE AKAROA WALK Operates November - April You’ll follow ridgeline walking tracks offering unsurpassed sea and land views of Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, you’ll step back in time and experience the fascinating history of Lyttelton, the Peninsula and Akaroa, and maybe you’ll even meet the world’s smallest dolphins on your Akaroa Harbour crossing. Day 1: Christchurch to Diamond Harbour - After meeting your guide at 9.15am, you will be transported to our starting point at the foot of the Port Hills, where you ride on the Christchurch Gondola. Enjoy fantastic views overlooking Christchurch, the Southern Alps, the Canterbury Plains, and Lyttelton Harbour. You have morning tea on the rim of an extinct volcano.
- From the gondola enjoy a 9km walk along the Crater Rim Walkway to Godley Head. Explore an area rich in military history, including the remains of a World War II coastal defence battery. Absorb the superb headland views.
- Visit the Lyttelton Timeball Station, which was used by vessels in the 19th Century to correct their chronometers. Travel by boat across the harbour to Diamond Harbour where you first evening is spent at the historic Godley House. Built in the 1880's by Harvey Hawkins, one of Lyttelton’s leading citizens, this grand house is registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Day 2: Diamond Harbour to the Hilltop - Your second day’s walking begins 435m above sea level. The first hour and half follows a farm road up to the crest of the ranges. A moderate level of fitness is required for this section of the walk. Stand on top of the nearby hill (913m) for magnificent views of the wide rolling ridges and hill tops leading towards Akaroa.
- Walk along the broad spur and descend to about 700m above sea level. Enjoy the fantastic panoramic vistas, including the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, and Port Levy.
- Continue an easy walk along the ‘Summit Walkway’ following farm trails. Wander along the tracks on the sides of hills with rugged, craggy summits above. Pass through three hillside reserves of lowland plants and bush.
- See the remains of native trees that once covered large parts of Banks Peninsula, until the European settlers harvested the timber in the five decades from 1840. Take in truly stunning views of beautiful Akaroa Harbour.
- Your accommodation for the evening is at the peaceful and private Pentrip Lodge. (Total walking distance of approx. 22km).
Day 3: The Hilltop to Akaroa - Start the day with a visit to Montgomery Park, to see a Totara tree measuring 8.5m around the trunk, and believed to be aged 2000 years old.
- Walk along a farm track that leads you around French Peak. There are unsurpassable and majestic views of Okuti Valley, Lake Forsyth, French Farm Valley and Akaroa Harbour.
- Walk along the hilltop ridges towards Saddle Hill and down into Wainui. There are splendid views of The Akaroa Heads and the Wainui Valley.
- Walk through the native bush and grazing lands until you reach the waters edge and jetty at Wainui (Total walking distance of approx. 11km).
- At the end of your walk the group travels by boat across the harbour to Akaroa. This village, settled in 1840, is the oldest township in Canterbury and one of the most historic European settlements in New Zealand. It is the only French-founded community in the country.
- Your accommodation for the night will be in Akaroa. You enjoy celebrating your walk from Christchurch to Akaroa with a final dinner in one of the restful and charming cafés.
Included in the tour:
- Three nights of good quality accommodation – Godley House, Pentrip Lodge (at the Hilltop) and Akaroa
- Your trip is fully guided by knowledgeable and experienced locals.
- Your bags are transported for you so only need to carry a daypack.
- All meals are provided. On the first and third night's you experience excellent restaurant meals (wine and other beverages are available at your cost). The second evening features a NZ barbeque, with fresh Akaroa salmon and a complimentary glass of local wine or other beverage from our selection.
- The cost of the Gondola and entry fees to the Timeball Station.
- The walk starts in Christchurch (20 minutes from an international airport and is the gateway to the South Island).
- All transfers within the tour, including a complimentary voucher for travel back from Akaroa to Christchurch.
For You To Cover: - Any alcohol consumed and the cost of the final dinner in Akaroa
- Walking equipment and protective clothing.
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