Akaroa

As with our last cruise, the closest that cruise ships can get the Christchurch is Akaroa. When I was subsequently in Christcharch in 2016, I noticed then that there was still a lot to do repairing the earthquake damage. So we didn’t think it worthwhile to try and get there while at Akoroa. Nor was there a need to do the TranzAlpine train trip again, as not only did I do it on our last cruise to these parts, but I did the complete trip in 2016.

Akaroa is a small town on the Banks Peninsula, with a French heritage deriving from the fact that the first settlers in the area were from France, although they arrived after the British had claimed the whole of New Zealand.
Today it receives a lot of calls by cruise ships. I don’t know if the restoration of Lyttelton as a cruise destination for Christchurch is on anyone’s agenda, or what will happen to the town of Akoroa if the ships end up going there instead. In the meantime, access from the ship is by launch shuttle to the small wharf near the town’s main street (very tourist oriented!).

I seem to recall being taught that the Banks Peninsula was so-named after Joseph Banks because of the variety of botanical specimens he found here. However, on my earlier visit to this area, and again this time, I was struck by the number of nearly-bare hills, with wide expanses denuded of tree cover – and lots of sheep!

We walked the length of the town, which was busy because there was another cruise ship as well as ours in the harbour plus there seemed to be a number of local activities since it was Sunday (such as a local dragon boat racing competition). Lunch was at a local mid-range restaurant. So, all pleasant enough before a short queue for the return to the ship by tender.