Cruise Into Akaroa
Make the most of your time in Akaroa and discover the amenities available.
Arriving to Akaroa
Akaroa Village is a beautiful harbourside town located 86kms (approximately 1.5 hours) from Christchurch. Its charming colonial architecture reflects the British and French settlers, who followed local Maori in recognising Akaroa harbour for its sheltered anchorage.
For cruise passengers a 20 minute tender ride transfers you from ship to shore, arriving at the main Akaroa wharf located on the southern end of the town centre. Your ship will advise you of the tender timetable from ship to shore and return for your visit.
The main wharf is a few steps away from harbourside shops and cafes. The northern part of the village is a 10 minute walk along the beach promenade and is home to the Post Office, Bank and additional shops and cafes.
Banks Peninsula’s indented coastline abounds with bays and beaches, many are accessible within 30 minutes drive from Akaroa.
Akaroa Statistics
Population – 756 from 2018 census
Land area – 1.8 km squared
Transport Options
Akaroa is a compact, very walkable village. A hop on hop off bus operates on cruise ship days at NZ$15 per person for an all day ticket. The bus departs from Main Wharf every 25 minutes and stops at the Main Wharf, Lighthouse, Museum, the Recreation Ground and the Giants House.
Climate
Summer: High 30C (72F), low 16C (61F)
Winter: High 13C (55F), low 2C(36F)
Akaroa Amenities
Akaroa Health Centre - at 2 Aylmers Valley Road, Akaroa is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Phone: 03-304 7004 (in an emergency call: 111)
Banking and ATM - The Bank of New Zealand ATM services are located at the northern centre of Akaroa at the BNZ, available 24 hours.
Shop hours – Most shops are open daily 10am – 5pm for your retail needs.
Telephone - To make an international call dial 00 followed by your country code, area code and number.
WIFI/Internet - Free WiFi access is available at the Akaroa Library.
WiFi is available at various restaurants and cafes throughout the town.
Roads and Driving Conditions
It's important to note that the roads in New Zealand can often be narrow and windy sometimes making your journey longer than anticipated. Ensure you adhere to the speed limits and always stay to the left side of the road.
You must carry your driver's licence with you when driving. If your licence is not in English, you're required to carry an approved translated version.
Learn more about what to expect when driving in New Zealand.
