Translating from Māori as “Long Harbour”, Akaroa is a small village on the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand’s South Island. It was originally home to the Ngāi Tahu people before being settled by the French and then the British. Today, Akaroa is famed for its boat tours offering up-close encounters with Hector’s dolphins.
Occupying several heritage-listed buildings is the Akaroa Museum, which details the village’s history as both a French and British settlement. Admire the historic Langlois-Eteveneaux cottage and wander through the Akaroa Court House, which dates back to 1880. Nearby is the Greek Revival-style Banks Peninsula War Memorial.
Akaroa is home to one of New Zealand’s most unique gardens, the Giant’s House, which is whimsically decorated with mosaics and steel sculptures. The residence is elegantly decorated in a French style, with a grand mahogany staircase and original open fireplaces. On the terraced grounds, you’ll find roses, vegetables and fruit trees.
Getting there
Akaroa is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Christchurch and Christchurch International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Akaroa and the village is small enough to explore on foot.