A Diverse Natural Playground. Banks Peninsula is one of New Zealand’s most unique landforms. With endless hills, bays and hidden bush, this is Nature’s Playground right on Christchurch’s doorstep. Akaroa and its surrounds are steeped in Māori and settler history, adventures and unique experiences.

long harbour

Banks Peninsula is near Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island. Its many reserves are scattered all over the peninsula and best accessed by car. Akaroa, 83 km from Christchurch is situated on the edge of a deep harbour.

Canterbury’s oldest town, Akaroa was founded in August 1840 by French settlers. It has been suggested that French interest in New Zealand speeded up Britain’s decision to annex New Zealand. By the time French settlers arrived, the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Māori chiefs had been signed.

Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō is one of two major inlets in Banks Peninsula, on the coast of Canterbury, New Zealand; the other is Akaroa Harbour on the southern coast.

This aerial view shows Bank Peninsula, with the snow-covered Southern Alps in the background. Akaroa Harbour is at the centre left. After this activity ceased, the volcanic complex became eroded to half its original height, and deep valleys formed. …

 Dunedin harbour and peninsula are remnants of the now extinct Dunedin volcano.  It was a shield volcano – a broad volcano that is built up from fluid lava flowing down its gently sloping sides. The rocks are dated at about 10 million years ago. None is necessary because the volcano is extinct.

Geologically, the peninsula comprises the eroded remnants of two large composite shield volcanoes (Lyttelton formed first, then Akaroa), and the smaller Mt Herbert Volcanic Group. These formed due to intraplate volcanism between approximately eleven and eight million years ago (Miocene) on a continental crust.

Ötamahua/Quail Island, Canterbury’s largest island, is an inner harbour island of low relief comprising 81 hectares, with a high point of 86 metres. Its origins are volcanic. Over 20 million years ago a volcano erupted on a small island in the Pacific.

Quail Island is the only substantial island in the Canterbury area accessible to the public. This island has a number of safe swimming beaches, as well as same-day facilities (toilets, day shelter).

Ōtamahua/Quail Island tracks It has swimming and waterskiing beaches and a bird-watching barricade.

Walkway The Quail Island Walkway starting at the new wharf offers a circumference walk (2 hours round trip), and a shorter one-hour option. The easy walk takes in a view of the shipwrecks, leprosy graves and the kennels used for Scott’s quarantined dogs.

Ōtamahua / Quail Island is an inner harbour island, reached via a short ferry ride or kayak paddle from Lyttelton. It’s Canterbury’s largest island but is easily explored in a day. Easy grades make the walks on this island suitable for small children and family groups.

Māori knew Quail Island as Ōtamahua, the ‘place to gather sea-bird eggs’. Europeans farmed the island from 1851 but its importance increased after 1874 when the provincial government accepted Thomas Potts’s offer to use it as a quarantine station.

The ferry leaves from Lyttelton Harbour, just 15 minutes’ drive from Christchurch CBD.

Epidemiology in New Zealand All cases of leprosy in New Zealand have occurred in individuals who have contracted the disease overseas. More detailed epidemiological information is available on the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) surveillance website.

1875

Beginning from the ferry jetty the track is a little steep in places, but you soon drop down to the beach. The track surface is suitable for mountain-buggies.

Walking and cycling routes

• Chestfield Walk. A 3.8 mile circular walk round the edge of Chestfield village and through the village’s conservation area.
• Reculver Walk. Head through Reculver Country Park along the famous Saxon Shore Way and back alongside the strand with this 3.5 mile route.
• Chartham North Lost Landscape Trail.

4 miles

Whether you are here to stay a while or looking for an easier route to commute into work, you’ll find cyclists’ needs are well catered for in Canterbury. Choose to park and pedal by locking your own bike into a secure compound at Park and Ride, Wincheap and taking to the pedals for the last mile into town.