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Favorite thing: The French settlers who arrived in Akaroa were far from the first Europeans to set foot on the Banks Peninsula.
Sealers had been visiting the place for decades and had ravaged the seal population in the insatiable and lucrative search for the skins of these gorgeous creatures - to the point where they eventually killed their own trade.
Next came the whalers -who made good use of the Peninsula's safe harbours to careen their ships for repairs and to trade with with local people for fresh food and to take on water.
In the days of sail, New Zealand Flax was a valuable commodity for the production of rope, miles of which were needed for each and every ship that put to sea, and so the flax traders joined the whalers.
These were all itinerate callers but in 1837, a shore whaling station, the first permanent European settlement on the South Island, was established at Paraki soon to be followed by others in bays all around the Peninsula.
These huge copper cauldrons are remnants of that age - they were used for rendering the blubber into the liquid gold that whale oil was in these days before gas and electric lighting.
There are several of them along the waterfront in Akaroa - reminders of a horrible industry that, thankfully, is long gone. As such, they're hardly a "favourite thing" but they are a potent symbol of the long history of European contact with this distant corner of the world.
Updated May 16, 2006
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Favorite thing: Between Duvauchelle and Akaroa you pass this wee building on the road. What is it?
The red panels by the door give you the clue - this was the Robinson Bay post Office - you can still see the panel of post box doors and the posting box, though both are sealed up these days.
It's not quite as small as the littlest post office I've ever seen ( the famous Ochapeepost office in Florida) but just imagine then what it must have been like in the days when the two sisters who ran it for years until it closed were at work - the image conjured up by Gerry Trott, the mailman on the Eastern Bays Mail Run, of the two "more than portly" ladies at work did make us wonder how they managed to fit themselves, their work tables, telephone exhange and the mailbags all in at the same time!
Updated Jan 20, 2012
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Favorite thing: Even today you find the main streets retain their French heritage and some of the early forms of architecture relate to those early days. Often regarded as the Riviera of Christchurch for its bays and cobalt blue waters Akaroa is a major vacation and weekend retreat.
Updated Mar 2, 2006
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Favorite thing: "Potter's Croft"
A turn of the century farmhouse has been renovated and extended to create an elegant homestead with wide wisteria-draped verandahs. Landscaped gardens of 3.5 acres, filled with roses, perennials and beautiful ornamental trees, feature a large natural pond, rustic bridges over the stream, rose-covered summerhouse and a superb pergola walk.
A small flock of sheep are nearby and there are optional bush walks and magnificent ancient trees.
Written Apr 13, 2003
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Favorite thing: This is Akaroa in the off peak season when it is peaceful.
Southeast of Christchurch are the rolling hills of Banks Peninsula and the tiny township of Akaroa, established by French whaler, Captain Jean Langlois, in 1838. This historic settlement is located on the shores of Akaroa harbour, 83km from Christchurch, and is Canterbury's oldest village and New Zealand's only French settlement.
The architecture, early buildings and French street names bear testimony to its founding fathers. Akaroa's main street, Rue Lavaud, is one of many French-named streets and the heart of this quaint harbourside village. The town is a popular holiday resort during summer.
Fondest memory: The harbour - a sea-filled volcanic crater - provides excellent fishing in its inlets.
Updated Mar 13, 2003
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Favorite thing: This is Akaroa in the off peak season when it is peaceful.
Southeast of Christchurch are the rolling hills of Banks Peninsula and the tiny township of Akaroa, established by French whaler, Captain Jean Langlois, in 1838. This historic settlement is located on the shores of Akaroa harbour, 83km from Christchurch, and is Canterbury's oldest village and New Zealand's only French settlement.
The architecture, early buildings and French street names bear testimony to its founding fathers. Akaroa's main street, Rue Lavaud, is one of many French-named streets and the heart of this quaint harbourside village. The town is a popular holiday resort during summer.
Written Mar 13, 2003
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Favorite thing: Bishop Pompallier established a mission station in Akaroa in 1840. The present St. Patrick's church was built in 1865. In 1897, two Sisters of Mercy arrived to establish a convent school. Satisfied they went home to Lyttelton and three different Sister's came over to live and teach. At first they lived in a nearby house and taught school in the church. A separate building which was to serve as a school room was moved onto church property in 1906 and the Sisters moved into their newly completed convent in Feb 1907. The convent was built by John James Walker and later the addition at the north end with 2 bedrooms, a music room and classroom in about 1912.
Written Apr 5, 2003
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Favorite thing: As any good addicted VTer knows, it is important to add new cities to your map as soon as possible. When you arrive in Akaroa, you can immediately hit the main strip in town and add it quickly and effectively at Bon-E-Mail. It seemed to be an unintended email location that took coins, so just show up, use your $1 or $2 dollars worth, and head on about your way.
The shop is located on the main street through Akaroa, although I did not write down the address.
Written Jul 29, 2007
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Favorite thing: While we were on our dolphin cruise we saw heaps of Hector Dolphins...they are so cute and so tiny compared to the dolphins we see in Australia. They apparently only live around the Akaroa area and were endangered at one stage but now there is a healthy amount of dolphins again...
Updated May 26, 2006
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Favorite thing: -
I have added the main points of interest in this map of Banks Peninsula for better orientation.
Remember, the road from Port Levy to Little River is gravel but you can drive on it in normal cars (best without too low spoilers) in good weather conditions.
The map also shows the innumerous harbours and bays of the peninsula, testimony of the volcanic past, in quite an impressive way.
Written May 29, 2008
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