Akaroa has a unique place in New Zealand's history as the only French settlement in the country.

This tiny village, 85 kilometres (½ hours travelling time) south east of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula (named after Lieutenant James Cook's botanist Joseph Banks), was settled by 63 French people in 1840, 70 years after it was sighted and named by Cook on his voyage across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand and Australia. Banks Peninsula is an extinct volcano which lies east of Christchurch and is characterised by its circular shape, steep sided hills that sweep down to beautiful inlets and bays below. With tussock hills as a backdrop to the town and the inlet, Akaroa is a well-preserved gem of history. 

The lovely bayside town has many streets with French names and is the oldest town in the Canterbury district, Langlois Etenenaux is the oldest house in the region. It is the site of the nation's first Catholic Church and the first vineyard in the country.

The boutique shops and businesses along rue Lavaud, rue Jolie, and the waterfront provide a comprehensive range of goods and services. Akaroa has a cluster of fine restaurants along the waterfront. The food in the township features local salmon, crayfish, beef, venison and lamb. 

In the centre of the village is the wharf from which Black Cat Boat cruises take you to view the rare Hectors dolphins and picturesque features of Akaroa Harbour.

The Barry's Bay Cheese Factory is a short drive away, where you can sample the different varieties of cheese and watch the cheese being made from the viewing gallery. It is also just a short drive for you to visit a Winery for wine tasting and maybe something to eat.

Adventure activities include: horse trekking, four-wheel farm bike riding; paragliding, harbour and sea kayaking and jet skiing.