Akaroa’s turquoise beauty Radiance of the Seas Pohatu penguin colony
Since an earthquake damaged the Port of Christchurch, a lot of cruise
ships have turned to Akaroa, 75 kilometres away.
The beautiful harbourside village has stepped up to this boost in
tourism, with local operators offering some of the best nature-based
activities available in New Zealand.
Akaroa is home to the rare Hectors Dolphin (the world’s smallest
dolphin) and the largest mainland colony of white-flippered little
penguins, as well as an abundance of fur seals.
Day cruises, kayaking and sailing are great options to explore the bay’s
wildlife, and there is also the opportunity to swim with the dolphins
through organised group trips.
One of the most memorable and unique tours takes people to see the
adorable little penguins.
On my visit to the family-run Pohatu colony, we were allowed to (very
carefully) pick up an injured penguin and help him go for his daily swim.
It was an experience I’ll never forget.
Other tours take small groups in jeeps or minivans to see the
countryside along scenic, winding roads.
Akaroa sits in the flooded crater of a volcano, so the dramatic scenery
and harbour views from the hill/moutaintops are outstanding.
French village
Those who choose not to book a shore excursion can enjoy wandering
around Akaroa’s waterfront via a walkway that starts next to the wharf
where cruise passengers arrive.
The town centre has several cafés, craft shops, boutiques and galleries
boasting well-preserved colonial architecture, as well as an oldfashioned
general store.
Most noticeable is Akaroa’s French flavour, which is a reminder of the
first non-native visitors who arrived on a whaling ship in 1838.
Its captain, Jean-Francois Langlois, purchased some land from the local
Maori, but by the time he sailed back to France and returned with people
hoping to settle there, the country had been taken over by the British.
Many of the French settlers stayed, and today Akaroa is home to about
600 permanent residents.
The streets have French names and are lined with historic wooden
cottages with picket fences, rose gardens and red, white and blue flags.
A museum spreads across three buildings, providing an insight into the
town’s past, and an old lighthouse stands along the foreshore.
A self-guided audio tour is available from the visitors centre, which is
housed in the former post office building.
There is also a safe swimming beach, only a two-minute walk from the
wharf.
Next season
Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania and
Silversea are the main companies visiting Akaroa throughout the
upcoming summer 2012-13 season.
Cruise ships anchor in the bay and passengers come ashore by tender.
The ride takes about 5-10 minutes.
Local volunteers can be found at the end of the wharf with information
about the village and the surrounding areas, free maps, and suggestions
of things to see and do.
Tour operators also set up stalls to sell their last available spaces to
passengers without plans.
For further details about Akaroa, see www.newzealand.com
To learn more about the Pohatu penguin colony, see
www.pohatu.co.nz.
