The Akaroa Road Trip: Exploring the Town & Neat Stops Along the Way

Coffee is essential for any road trip. Luckily, you don’t have to drive for long to find an exceptional cuppa. Perched along the main road in Tai Tapu, General Post is a charming neighbourhood café where you’ll find great coffee, a cabinet of Grizzly pastries and donuts, toasties, as well as local products, plants and flowers to peruse. Order to go or stick around and enjoy your coffee on the verandah in the morning sun.

With a renowned café and gallery, Little River is a must-see on the way to your destination. We suggest timing it with morning tea so you can have another coffee stop and a scone in the courtyard at Little River Café. Then head to their small store to pick up some artisan supplies for lunch or something delicious from their cabinet.

The gallery adjacent to the café is a beaut. Home to New Zealand-made art and crafts, it’s an ideal place for those seeking an authentic, local keepsake. There’s an array of exquisite books spanning the local landscapes, history, cuisine and culture. Take your time here; wander the garden sculptures, savour the peaceful ambience and admire the collectable art.

Just next door you may have already spotted the historic Little River Railway Station. Swing by and discover the Little River Craft Station, a co-operative of local craftspeople from the area and its surrounds. These Little River folk sure know how to craft. Their diverse range of crafted items includes knitwear, pottery, preserves, woodwork, jewellery, leatherwork, quilts and much more.

As the road starts to wind and slope upwards, you’re in for a spectacle out the window. There’s several places to pull over along the way for fresh air and photo opportunities overlooking the peninsula. Many artisans and growers call this lush part of the world home, so keep an eye out for cute roadside stalls selling fresh produce, jams, and more.

A must if you have little ones on board (or you just need a good hug). A 25 minute drive from Little River, a beautiful farmland full of new cuddly friends awaits at Shamarra Alpacas. As well as an opportunity to hug, feed and hang out with these cute guys (there’s over 170 of them on the farm), you’ll also get to enjoy panoramic views of Akaroa harbour, rolling hills and volcanic peaks. Tours are approximately one hour, after which you can pop into the shop to browse luxurious, natural alpaca knitwear.

The next interlude on the road will appeal to turophiles. Turo-who?! Turophiles. The official name for a connoisseur of cheese. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed after parking up at Barrys Bay Cheese. For over 120 years, Barrys Bay has been creating delicious, memorable cheeses on the hills of the Banks Peninsula. The Barrys Bay collection of cheeses includes real English cheddars, Havarti and the ever-popular Peninsula Blue. They also make a range of Dutch style cheeses – of particular note is their aged cumin gouda which has previously been awarded Champion Dutch Style Cheese at the NZ Cheese Awards. Watch the cheesemaking action through the window of the shop while you pick up a smorgasbord of cheese and complementary pairings.

From Barrys Bay, head straight to Ma Maison on Akaroa’s waterfront for lunch. As well as boasting a gorgeous view of the sparkling harbour, the restaurant is an attractive destination for seafood lovers. Feast on fresh salmon, mussels, oysters, prawns, blue cod, and much more from the big deep blue, as well as a selection of delicious dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians. The kitchen uses the freshest produce available, with much of it sourced locally – from the Akaroa salmon to herbs from a nearby farm, and eggs from local free-ranging chooks. You’re on Akaroa time now – so make sure to linger and take in the quaint atmosphere.

Now to familiarise yourself with Rue Lavaurd, aka Akaroa’s high street. We recommend meandering the length of the village to admire the pretty buildings and browse the local boutiques. Look for the two little black sheds at 16 Rue Lauvard, where you’ll find flowers by Nuku Manaakitanga & Floral Design and art by Emma Perrin in the front store, and handmade premium guitar straps by AtmosNZ in the space behind. Carry on to The Good Story, a special little bookshop stocking a well curated selection of pageturners for all ages. On the wharf end, Lava Gallery is a humble little shop worth popping in. They source a range of beautiful objects, gifts and homewares made by New Zealand creators and makers.

Fancy a tipple in paradise? Head up the hill to Caldera, a vineyard and cellar door perched above the village with majestic harbour views. Nab a spot inside by the window or on the sunny deck and choose from a selection of Caldera wines – available as a wine tasting, by the glass or bottle to share. There’s Three Boys beer for the non-wine drinkers, as well as some fun cocktails and mocktails. For an extra luxurious touch, order the Estate Board (Akaroa salmon, mussels, Barrys Bay cheese, bread, and more) to pair with your drink.

Wander back to the water’s edge for a picturesque dinner at Tīni. The menu is made up of international dishes that showcase great NZ produce. From handstretched Neopolitan-style pizzas to Kushiyaki (Japanese-style charcoal-grilled skewers) to seasonal sides, the best local produce is celebrated. While you wait for your food to arrive, check out the drinks menu and get to know some of the best gins from around Aotearoa. There’s gin tasting flights available as well as all your favourite cocktails.

The sun may have gone down, but the day’s not over yet. Akaroa Stargazing is a family-run business that offers small, intimate astronomy tours of the Banks Peninsula's magnificent skies. Using state-of-the-art equipment, Luca and Manon will guide you through an evening under the Akaroa stars or a day exploring the hidden wonders of the sun. Make sure to pop into the shop afterwards for a fun selection of all things universe.

Once you’ve got your sense of locale, check into French Bay House, your accommodation for the night. The place is a rather dreamy sleepover stay indeed. Let us explain. A flourishing garden flanks French Bay House, one of the settlement’s original homesteads, while a wisteria-covered, sun-soaked porch swing seat completes the halcyon picture. Inside, four king-sized bedrooms with ensuites are named after local landmarks and are comfortably furnished giving each room its own unique feel. Think cosy throws, intricate artworks and luxe linen, while bathrooms are resplendent in tiles and stocked with organic toiletries.

First agenda item of the day: Pastries and baguettes. Tough life, isn’t it? Open Wednesday to Sunday from 7.30am, A La Baguette keeps the french essence of Akaroa alive with a bakery full of buttery goods. Opt for a classic croissant, fruity danishes, marmite and cheddar scrolls, almond croissants, and don’t leave without a baguette tucked under your arm. While we want you to have a delicious sleep in, keep in mind that these baked treats don’t hang around for long.

That baguette will need some scrumptious fillings – and we know just the place. The Akaroa Butchery building has stood on this site for over 100 years, currently owned by couple T Dunn and Julia Atknison-Dunn who have put their own touch of magic on the place. Inside you’ll find a range of quality goods, ranging from NZ grass-fed beef and lamb, North Canterbury free-farmed pork, high country farmed venison, Akaroa Salmon and Bostock Chicken. The fridges and shelves are loaded with Aotearoa cheeses, fresh pasta, local olive oils, hot sauces, marinades, tasty snacks, and much more. We’re gonna need a bigger basket.

A local attraction that you’ve likely heard about, The Giants House is set in a historic house featuring a unique garden described as a creative feast. The grounds feature quirky sculptures, mosaics and artworks, and showcase the talent of local artist Josie Martin. The Childrens Bay Walkway is another great outdoor activity for young families, that winds up through lush farmland occupied by friendly giraffe and rhino sculptures (as well as a few real farm animals) grazing in the fields. Take your baguette and Akaroa Butchery bounty with you for a pretty picnic.

Enjoy one last graze before you bid farewell to the village. The Seafood Kitchen is tucked away on the corner of Rue Lavaud and Rue Brittan, and showcases a daily changing menu built around fresh seafood caught using sustainable fishing practices. Inspired by the latest catch, the kitchen lovingly prepares everything from oysters and wild kingfish crudo to pāua fritters and Akaroa King Salmon (of course). Complementary ingredients elevate the produce, and the team grow their own herbs, press their own olive oil, ferment and pickle, and support other small businesses.

If you don’t need to rush back to the city, there are a couple of other special spots to hit in the area.

Hinewai Reserve is a unique and distinctive stretch of land, where degraded gorse-infested farmland has been nurtured back to 1250 hectares of native forest. The regeneration occurred after a pioneering approach from the Maurice White Native Forest Trust who allowed the gorse to grow rampantly whilst simultaneously acting as a natural canopy and protection for the fledgling native plants. Fast forward 30 years, the reserve is an ecological restoration success story and a wonderful place to stroll through a forest of native flora and fauna.

Drive another 10 minutes and you’ll arrive at Fishermans Bay Garden, a 100-hectare haven of native and non-native plants overlooking the rugged Pacific coastline. While late spring and summer is the best time to see everything in full bloom, it’s a year-round destination thanks to evergreen New Zealand natives, beautiful landscaping and inspiring vistas. The garden is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am-4pm, with a $25 entry fee (book online here).