prairie girl musings

Tag: Akaroa

Our Romantic Night Away with Akaroa Glamping

When Akaroa Glamping invited Nick and I on a weekend getaway, we couldn’t pack our bags fast enough.

Banks Peninsula is one of our favourite places to explore and Akaroa holds many special memories. We always talk about how wonderful it would be to own a little cottage on the main drag, especially since it’s just over an hour’s drive from Christchurch.

Located just outside the township, Akaroa Glamping is found in Takamatua Bay. The drive itself is an adventure, with twists, turns, inclines and even a little stream to cross. It truly feels remote and ‘off the beaten track’ which is ideal for anyone who needs an escape. I’m not big on camping, but glamping is a completely different ballgame. We were spoiled with privacy, room to stretch out, and one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in.

Akaroa Glamping is a unique experience with two sites that overlook the harbour. Our spacious tent had ample room for lounging (there are even two chairs inside in case the weather isn’t on your side) and its own front deck with a table and chairs to take in the views. There’s a bathroom and shower around back and a fully-equipped kitchen (complete with extraordinary views).

We arrived just before sunset and decided to prepare a little platter to enjoy with our go-to wine of choice, Black Estate rosé. Afterwards, we went out for a late dinner at newly opened Mandala (highly recommend) for Pacific Indian fare, followed by the All Blacks game at the pub. The next morning, we stopped by Rona’s next digs for coffee and a quick bite before heading back to Lyttelton (Nick had a sailing regatta). We didn’t have enough time to do one of the many walks in the area, but their website has plenty of information if you’re in need of inspiration.

If you’re looking for somewhere to unwind this summer, I highly recommend a stay at Akaroa Glamping. Ever so slightly removed from the activity of Akaroa, it’s a beautiful spot to immerse yourself in nature and recharge the batteries.

Photography by Malia Rose

October 22, 2019
Akaroa Adventures

Access to some of the country’s most spectacular regions is one of the reasons Nick and I moved to Christchurch. With Banks Peninsula on our doorstep, the drive to Akaroa is a winding wonderland of sights. Stop at Hilltop Tavern for a coffee or quick bite before carrying on down the road. The views are as breathtaking as they come!

To describe the French and British settlement as quaint wouldn’t do it justice. The seaside village is known for its colonial charm and heritage buildings. Home to some of the region’s best restaurants (Little Bistro is absolutely worth a visit!), Akaroa is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.

For our girls weekend, we had plenty on the agenda. Upon arrival, we drove up to the harbour to begin our first adventure of the day: an excursion with Black Cat Cruises. The weather wasn’t on our side and those prone to seasickness (myself included) were advised to remain on land. After a few frightening experiences, I’ve developed a phobia of small boats on choppy waters. However, I was determined to swim with the majestic Hector dolphins. Endemic to New Zealand, the Hector bread is the smallest in the world and as severely endangered as the Bengal tiger. After several bouts of seasickness (I’ll spare you the details), I was relieved to see the wild dolphins jumping and diving right beside the boat. The skies even cleared as we safely made our way to shore.

After our dolphin excursion, we stopped for lunch at Sweet As on the main street. The french patisserie serves up everything from croque monsieurs to petit choux.

Next up, we headed out of town to French Farm for an alpaca farm tour. Home to alpacas of all sizes and colours, Shamarra Alpacas has panoramic views of the Akaroa Heads all the way to Barry’s Bar. The tour allowed us to get up close and personal with these cuddly creatures in their natural environment.

We checked into the spacious Akaroa Waterfront Motel for the evening. Our room featured a large lounge, a kitchenette and three beds, ideal for the three of us. We settled in for some wine and cheese before heading out for the evening. With gorgeous views of the harbour, we couldn’t stop staring out the massive windows. The location is also super convenient, right in the heart of Akaroa.

The next morning, we wandered around the village before tucking into breakfast at The Brasserie. The expansive garden is marvellous on a sunny day and the coffee is AllPress.

Before heading back to the city, we had the pleasure of visit the magnificent Giant’s House. Reminiscent of Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona, the historic house features original artworks, terraced gardens with sculptures and mosaics. Secluded and quiet, the house on the hill is full of surprises. We found ourselves losing track of time in the magical surrounds. Make time to see The Giant’s House on your next visit to Akaroa.

Akaroa has its fair share of delicious cuisine and fine dining, but nothing compares to the delectable creations by Rachel of Sweet & Savage. Rachel started making fresh and downright delicious doughnuts after she and her family moved from the city to Akaroa. Operating out of a 1959 Airstream caravan during the summer months, Sweet & Savage visits music and food festivals throughout Canterbury. I’m absolutely hooked on the rose, vanilla, pistachio and strawberry variety. You can now find Sweet & Savage at all Christchurch’s best cafés, Uncommon, Park Ranger, Laneway Espresso and Lux Espresso on Fridays and Saturdays!

July 14, 2017
A Weekend Away in Akaroa

When Nick surprised me with a weekend away in Akaroa, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew very little about the only New Zealand town colonized by the French. Located on Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is approximately an hour and a half from Christchurch depending on traffic and how accustomed you are to New Zealand roads.

My limited knowledge of Akaroa worked in my favour as we spent a sunny Friday afternoon navigating the winding South Island roads. Immediately upon arrival, I spotted a tangled up French flag and knew I was in for a treat.

I was enrolled in French Immersion from kindergarten to grade twelve, which means the majority of my classes were conducted in French. Needless to say, I was delighted to hear French spoken by both the locals and tourists. While I knew Akaroa maintained some of its French character, I didn’t expect much more than French road names and freshly baked croissants.

Upon arrival, we headed straight to our bed and breakfast, Villa Vangioni (also a surprise!) where we were warmly greeted by innkeeper, Kirsty. My experience with B&Bs is basically non-existent and Villa Vangioni, an immaculate, gorgeously decorated boutique property with sweeping views of the sea, provided the perfect introduction. Every detail was seamlessly executed and Kirsty even armed us with dinner recommendations.

Care for a bath? The traditional freestanding bath is absolutely dreamy and I loved perusing the wide range of potions and candles on display.

There’s even a dining room where you’ll be graciously served by the lovely hostess, Kirsty. I wore stripes in hopes that I would look Parisian.

A night spent at Villa Vangioni delights from start to finish. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw these stockings hung at the foot of our bed. We had the entire upstairs to ourselves, and at the top of the staircase was a bench adorned with figure skates and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Every detail of the property is so carefully considered that I’m already dreaming about a return visit!

I couldn’t help but take a photo of these tiled floors in the bathroom!

Other highlights of Akaroa included dinner at The Little Bistro, this small restaurant has a lengthy wine list and resplendent views of the harbour. The cuisine is French, of course and service is attentive. I also recommend the Akaroa museum to gain some understanding of the town’s history.

A lovely spot for coffee is The Brasserie. The garden restaurant is an cozy spot to settle in with a flat white for some quality people watching.

From virtually any vantage point, within this small seaside town, there are plentiful views of the quiet harbour. Fortunately, we ventured to Akaroa just before prime tourist season, and it seemed as though we had the entire town to ourselves.

For more information or to book your stay at Villa Vangioni, visit the website.

January 2, 2016