Akaroa Things to Do

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This was just the nicest way to spend a morning!

The Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run delivers not only the mail and the morning newspapers to the little hamlets and isolated farmhouses of the Outer Bays of the Banks Peninsula - it also delivers a unique opportunity for visitors to ride with the mailman over some 120kms of backroads, down steep hills into 10 of the peninsula's beautiful little bays and up to the highest points of the crater's crest with spectacular views all the way - including a marvellously panoramic view of both sides of the peninsula from a height of 2000m

Leaving from the Post Office promptly at 9am, the trip takes about 4 and a half hours. Along the way you'll have time to visit little churches, walk along quiet sandy beaches, stop at scenic viewpoints and enjoy a delicious morning tea break. Gerry Trott, the mailman, was a mine of information about the history and personalities of the area and the morning was a real highlight of our Akaroa holiday. Don't miss it!

2012 Update Gerry has retired but the mail run is still operating. All the details can be found here
The mail bus can carry eight passengers, and is very popular, so booking is advisable.
Reservations may be made through the AkaroaInformation Centre (03) 304 8600 or direct with the new operators, Robin and Jo (03) 304 8526 between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.

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Update May 2011

The Duvauchelle Hotel was badly damaged in the earthquake that rocked Canterbury on 4 September 2010. Parts of it have been demolished just now. They will rebuild and hope to be up and running again by Christmas.



The Duvauchelle Hotel at the northern tip of Akaroa Harbour, right on SH 75, about 10 km from Akaroa, is said to be the oldest one in the country.

The hotel is named after the settlement, and the settlement was named by two French brothers named Duvauchelle in 1840, after the arrival of the French ship “Comte de Paris”.

The hotel was built by François Lelièvre at some time before 1850. It had frequently changing names, starting as the “Travellers Rest”, and later (among many other names) “The Somerset”, “Hotel des Pêcheurs”, etc. In 1971 the then publican named it “Robbers Return” as the guests were always complaining he was robbing them.

The family of the owner who ran the hotel from 1861 to 1874 (Ben Shadbolt) are still running the farm across the road.

In the hotel flyer I read a funny detail about what publicans had to sign to get a license. For example, to supply accommodation, water and oats for at least two horses, to be sworn in and act as constable, and to keep a safe boat to ferry passengers to Akaroa. Try to get one of those flyers in the hotel, they contain a lot of interesting historic photos and information. The website (www.duvauchellehotel.co.nz) does not work at the moment (end May 2008), the account has been closed – perhaps they have not paid their fees… ;-) But I can assure you, the hotel and pub are open ;-)

You cannot miss the hotel. It is right on SH 75, on the right side if coming from Christchurch. A huge kiwi (bird) sculpture with a chef’s hat on the head is in front of the verandah.

You get several kinds of accommodation at this hotel. First of all they have ten fully self-contained motel units (with kitchenettes) off the street, with panoramic views of the bay.

Across the street are backpackers units ($ 25 pp) for which you get the key at the hotel.

The hotel has a main bar, lounge bar and huge garden bar plus a separate restaurant for private functions. They also have tables and benches on the verandah. When we sat there in the sunshine we were entertained by fantails chasing insects under the roof.

The interior is really fantastic, reminding of the early days of the pioneers.

They advertise to have the finest and biggest meals on the peninsula (see on photo 2). The latter might be true, but I have problems to agree on “finest”. My husband’s wedges were really dark and not crisp, and my creamy bacon pasta contained cream and pasta, and probably also bacon but that tasted more like ham. The onions were more boiled than glazed and swam in the liquid cream, and unfortunately also in sugar. Either they had used sugar instead of salt, so it could have been an accident. If I want to eat something as sweet as this I normally order a cake or icecream… The service though, was very friendly, and we enjoyed our drinks and the nice atmosphere. Perhaps we should stick to Akaroa salmon and T-Bone Steak with prawns – but we wanted something simple for lunch and not a full meal.

On photo 2 you can see the food.

As mentioned in a general tip about the French street signs in Akaroa, the worst thing about Duvauchelle is the pronounciation. If you pronounce it correctly in French nobody understands you, so just say “Du-wot-shelley”, with the stress on the second syllable, if you want locals to know that you are talking about their place. (Ah, and many also love to add an –s at the end, so you get “Duvauchelles”… or: “Du-wot-shelleys”. Just be prepared for the worst case LOL)

Adding to the linguistic torture is the fact that the two French brothers the tiny township is named after never took residence. They bought the land from the Nanto-Bordelaise Society but somehow never made it to the place. Instead, they settled in Akaroa.

Duvauchelle is the perfect starting point to explore Onawe Peninsula, this thinnish piece of land reaching far out into Akaroa Harbour, separating the head of the harbour into Barrys Bay on one and Duvauchelle and Robinsons Bay on the other side (permit needed; info in Onawe tip). And it is only a short drive to French Farm which is well-known for its good food and wine. Since the Duvauchelle Store & Bistro has reopened it is highly praised for its fantastic food.

(Update 8 August 2008: At the moment the Bistro is only open on Thu, Fri and Sat nights, and Sun + Mon from 10am to 5pm. Phone 03 - 304 5807)

A good choice of accommodation, with the Duvauchelle Hotel being the biggest provider, offering hotel, motels, and backpacker accommodation. There is also a campground, the Duvauchelle Reserve Motor Camp (Seafield Road, phone 03 304-5777), as well as some holiday homes. Check here: http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/Duvauchelle.asp

Update May 2011

The Duvauchelle Hotel has been badly damaged in the earthquake on 4 September 2010. It has been now partly demolished. The publican says they hope they will be up and running again by Christmas 2011.

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Banks Peninsula forms the most prominent volcanic feature of the South Island. As Akaroa stands on the heart of this former volcano that existed in ancient times, this town is a main gateway to this peninsula, apart from Christchurch & Lyttleton, which is spectacular! It has an area of approximately 1,150 square kilometres (440 sq mi) and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves. Crhistchurch is within north of this peninsula.

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This is a pleasant way to enjoy the town as it has loads of scenic views and to breathe in the fresh air around as there were mot many cars around here! So we had a truly fabulous time! All for free too!

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We decided to join a walking tour of this town to learn more about its history and we were glad we did! It was a fascinating way to see the place and at the same time get more insights from a local on how the settlers started in this town.

The whole family's interested in history and is grateful for the chance to do engage in this field so through this cruise. It has been one of our trip's highlights for us! We also got acquainted with NEw Zealand native plants and wildlife as taught to us by our able tour guide who's lived in this town for decades.

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We reached this port via tenders from our cruise ship, It took a while but it was worth the wait as we were greeted with sweeping views as the town was surrounded by picturesque hills and beaches. It also has a lot of history being a former whaling town settled in by the French in the 1880's.

It was a lovely day, still sunny though windy and we chanced upon a vendor selling "gelato" Italian style but made from NEw Zealand products of course! At NZ$3.50 , it was a steal, tasty and creamy! I had pistacchio & the boys berry and chocolate. We were happy!