“Experience an unforgettable holiday”
4 Day Classic Walking Tour of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula in New Zealand
Akaroa, Canterbury, New Zealand
Hiking Tour in New Zealand
Over three days and three nights, you complete a 31 km journey that starts and finishes in picturesque Akaroa. Hike at your own pace over Banks Peninsula’s extinct volcanic landscape, where ridges and peaks offer sweeping panoramic ocean views. Traverse coastal cliff tops, through ancient forests, waterfalls, tree ferns and descend into otherwise inaccessible bays. Enjoy an abundance of wildlife, glorious birdsong and gaze into the night skies, whilst staying in unique accommodations each night. Walk with just a day pack, as they transport your bags between each accommodation.
Highlights
- Over three nights and three days of walking
- A guide booklet
- Bags transported for you between accommodations
- Access to all private properties
- Witness a diversity of scenery, flora and fauna.
- Transport from Akaroa to the first hut
- 3 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
3 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 12 participants
Accommodation
You will stay in huts during the hike: the Onuku Tramper's hut, Flea Bay and the Stony Bay Cottage.
Each night’s accommodation is independently owned and operated by local families. Banks Peninsula Track are here to make your stay enjoyable while remaining in the background. If you need assistance, please find them at the farmhouse.
Each accommodation has hot showers and flush toilets.
All kitchens are fully equipped including stoves, pots, pans, plates, coffee plungers, tea, instant coffee, cutlery, etc as well as cleaning materials and tea towels. You do not need to bring any kitchen items. There are also rubbish bins at all huts.
The beds in each accommodation have fitted sheets and pillows, with fresh pillowcases. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag. Each night’s accommodation along the Banks Track offers a choice of shared sleeping arrangements from 2 to 6 persons per room, included in your booking.
Private room
The private room is an option for people who prefer separate sleeping accommodation with one double bed, made up with bedding and towels. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared with other walkers.
There are only two private rooms at each accommodation. One private room booking gives you access to a private room at each of the three nights’ accommodations.
Program
Overview
- Bus ride to Onuku
- Section 1: 11 km / 6.8 mi
- Pohatu Flea Bay
- Section 2: 8 km / 5 mi
- Opatuti Stony Bay
- Section 3: 12 km / 7.5 mi
You will hike one section per day. Grade classification – moderate. They will transfer your packs for you between accommodations, so you only have to carry a day pack.
Itinerary
You will arrive in Akaroa on the evening before your first day walking the track. This is the date you select when making your booking.
17:30 pick up (Arrival - Day 1)
Prior to 5:30 pm, those with their own transport will need to park their vehicle at the designated Banks Track carpark at Mount Vernon Lodge and allow 30 minutes to walk back to the bus pick-up point.
Paul or Mafi (your bus driver) will meet you outside Akaroa’s old post office, 80 Rue Lavaud, on the date you booked and transport you to Ōnuku Trampers Hut, a 20-minute drive. The bus will be ready for boarding at 5:15 pm. At this point, you will be given a printed guide to the route which is full of useful information about the walk.
Night At ĹŚnuku (Day 2)
The first night’s accommodation is at the Ōnuku Trampers Hut. Ōnuku Farm sits inside the caldera that forms southern Banks Peninsula. The purpose-built trampers hut sits about 200 m above sea level with wonderful views up the Akaroa harbor towards Ōnawe Peninsula – the core of the extinct volcano.
Section 1: Ōnuku – Flea Bay. 11 km (6.8 mi), 5-7 hrs
You will climb from ĹŚnuku Trampers Hut, through farmland to Trig GG at 699m (2,233 ft) over the rim of the extinct volcano, and down into Flea Bay through the Tutakakahikura Reserve.
Penguin tour
You have the option to join a tour on the second evening including penguins in season (approx. October to January and April).
Night at Flea Bay (Day 3)
You will spend your second night at Flea Bay. The historic farm cottage in Flea Bay is set just 200 m back from a safe swimming beach and has verandah views of the bay and PĹŤhatu Marine Reserve. The cottage is situated within the boundaries of the largest mainland colony of little blue penguins in New Zealand.
Kayaking
You have the option to book a kayaking trip with Pohatu Penguins Ltd for your second morning before walking to Stony Bay.
Section 2: Flea Bay – Stony Bay. 8 km (5 mi), 3-5 hrs
From Flea Bay you walk along the coast of the PĹŤhatu Marine Reserve and around the headlands to Stony Bay.
Night at Stony Bay (Day 4)
You will spend a night at the Stony Bay Cottages. There is a well-stocked trampers shop (cash only) and a small family museum, as well as a campfire to gather around in the evening, a â€bath under the stars’ and candles for lighting.
Section 3: Stony Bay – Akaroa. 12 km (7.5 mi), 5-7 hrs
This includes walking through some of Hinewai Reserve, back over the rim of the extinct volcano and down into Akaroa. Most walkers arrive in Akaroa in the early afternoon. You can pick up your pack from the Lockup.
Location
Banks Track offers 31 km (19.3 mi) of self-guided, hill country walking around the remote and beautiful South Eastern Bays of Banks Peninsula, starting and finishing in picturesque Akaroa. There are over 20 km (12 mi) of side tracks to explore along the route with more spectacular views, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Food
There is spring-fed drinking water available at all accommodations. Make sure you bring a big enough water bottle to last the whole day.
You will need to bring your own food for all meals until you get to Stony Bay Cottages, although Flea Bay Cottage and ĹŚnuku Trampers Hut have milk, drinks, and chocolate bars available.
On your last evening at Stony Bay, there is a Walker’s shop. This shop is well stocked and open to walkers throughout their stay. It is restocked daily and provides sufficient choice and quantity to cater to individuals or groups. Expect to pay prices roughly similar to a remote country dairy and don’t forget to bring cash.
As well as a good supply of cold drinks, this shop includes:
- Cereals, milk, bread, butter, bacon, eggs, chocolate, biscuits, cheese, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, soup, tinned fish, tinned fruit, tinned tomatoes, noodles, pasta, potatoes, sausages, steaks, mince, and ice cream.
All kitchens in the huts are fully equipped with:
- Stovetops, fridges, cutlery, plates, pots, pans, coffee plungers, tea towels, items for washing up, and lots more. You need nothing but your food.
- Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar, and cooking oil are available.
- ĹŚnuku Trampers Hut has a microwave, freezer, and oven.
- Flea Bay Cottage has ovens, a BBQ, and a microwave.
- Stony Bay Cottages has BBQs.
- There are also rubbish bins at all huts.
The following meals are included:
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
Things to do (optional)
A sleeping bag is a must - there is no bedding on the beds. Banks Peninsula Track rent sleeping bags for 45 NZD if people don't have their own. These are best pre booked.
What's included
- Over three nights and three days of walking
- A guide booklet (handed out on arrival here)
- Transport of 1 pack per person up to 15 kg
- Transport from Akaroa to the first hut
- Access to all the private properties
- Private car park
- 3 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Personal expenses
- Sleeping bags (available for rent)
- Penguin tour
- Kayaking
- Transport of additional bags (must be prebooked and paid)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
CHC
Christchurch International Airport
49 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by car
It is a 90-minute drive from Christchurch to Akaroa via SH75.
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC), which is 85 km from Akaroa. It is recommended that you first check out transport options and logistics. There is only one public transport provider (The Akaroa French Connection) with only one service each way per day.
Arrival by bus
By public transport, you can take the Akaroa French Connection bus from Christchurch to Akaroa. It is also possible to book a private shuttle. Please send an inquiry for more information.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 24% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 45 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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