Banks Peninsula walking tracks

Explore this giant ancient volcanic remnant with its deeply indented bays, wild beaches, striking mountains and intriguing geological and human history.

Visit

Access

From Christchurch it only takes 90 minutes to get to Akaroa, one of the top tourist towns in Banks Peninsula. The journey is a scenic one, picturesque vistas will greet you at every turn and rise but take care as some roads are narrow and have steep drops on one side.

From around Akaroa, there are many other attractive beaches and seaside villages nearby such as Wainui, Okains Bay, Pigeon Bay

If you don't have a car, check out the Akaroa Shuttle(external link) for bus information.

Dogs

If you are heading out walking or visiting some of the beautiful reserves and beaches in Banks Peninsula, make sure you check dog restrictions.

The Banks Peninsula is a rare area of biodiversity and dogs can be disruptive to native wildlife.

Facilities

You will find free public toilets in Birdlings Flat, French Farm, Wainui, Akaroa, Takamatua, Okains Bay and Pigeon Bay.

Parks and reserves

Park name Address Features
Green Point Reserve Beach Road, Akaroa Britomart Memorial, walkways
Garden of Tane Beach Road, Akaroa Bush walks, playground
Stanley Park Rue Lavaud, Akaroa Walkways
L’Aube Hill Reserve Rue Pompallier, Akaroa French Cemetery, bush walks
Akaroa Recreation Ground Rue Lavaud, Akaroa Slipway, playing fields, tennis courts, BBQ, toilets, skate park
Rue Balguerie Playground Rue Balguerie, Akaroa Playground, toilets
Akaroa Heritage Park Long Bay Road, Akaroa Walkways, botanical plantings
Robinsons Bay Reserve Old School Road, Robinsons Bay Walkways, native bush
Robinsons Bay Regional Park Monarch Drive, Duvauchelle Ngaio Point walkway
Little River Heritage Park SH 75 Little River Picnic tables
Birdlings Flat Playground Poranui Beach Road, Birdlings Flat Toilets, playground, beach
Le Bons Bay Domain Le Bons Bay Road Toilets, playground, tennis courts
Okains Bay Beach Okains Bay Road Toilets, campground, playground
Pigeon Bay Campground Wharf Road, Pigeon Bay Campground, toilets
Port Levy Old School Western Valley Road, Port Levy Toilets, swimming pool, tennis courts
Purau Foreshore Reserve Purau Avenue Beach, picnic tables
Purau Recreation Reserve Purau Avenue Toilets, playground
Camp Bay Beach Camp Bay Road Toilets, beach

Walks

Try our interactive walking map or below pages to see a number of popular walks in the Bank Peninsula.

The Rod Donald Trust website(external link) also offers great information about walking in the Banks Peninsula whether it be in Christchurch City Council reserves or those managed by the Department of Conservation and private land owners.

You can also pick up a detailed Rod Donald Trust brochure from the Akaroa i-Site(external link) for a small fee.