New Zealand Travel: Visit Akaroa Harbour Near Christchurch

The "Lord of the Rings" movies made New Zealand an "in" travel destination. But even before Elijah Wood's Frodo Baggins began his travels, New Zealand was a great destination. New Zealand has some of the world's most amazing scenery and wildlife. Akaroa Harbour, 50 miles from Christchurch, will be the focus of this article.

Akaroa, a popular travel destination, is a 150 year old French town on the shores of picturesque Akaroa Harbour, on New Zealand's Banks Peninsula. Ringed by mountains, with waterside cafes and restaurants, multicolored homes and boats, Akaroa is worth an extended visit.

Travel to Akaroa Harbour

Recently, we were delayed in New Zealand on our way to McMurdo Station. Taking the opportunity, a colleague and I drove to Akaroa Harbour. If this does not impress you, recall that in New Zealand people drive on the wrong, er, left side of the road.

In New Zealand, as in England, the driver sits on the right, with the gear shift to his/her left and more importantly, the signal lever on the right. Mysteriously, our windshield wipers kept turning on as we neared each turn. Driving reflexes honed by decades driving on the right side spell trouble in New Zealand if you are not conscious of your driving at all times.

Traveling from Christchurch to Akaroa Harbour on New Zealand's Highway 75, we stopped at Birdling Flats to watch enormous waves breaking on a rock-strewn beach. Then, it was on to Akaroa Harbour. This miles-long bay was formed after an ancient eruption blew the top off a volcano leaving behind a 5000' tall caldera. When the ocean broke through, it created a high-walled natural harbor with only a small island marking the volcano's center.

One must-do in Akaroa Harbour is the 2 hour "Black Cat" harbor cruise. This catamaran carries visitors out from Akaroa to where bay meets ocean. Pods of New Zealand Hector's dolphins play tag with the boat, and the rare White-Flippered Blue Penguins makes guest appearances swimming and diving, oblivious to the excitement it causes.