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New Zealand
> Canterbury > Banks Peninsula
 Banks Peninsula was formed by volcanic action a great
many years ago. The area is large with many hills and
valleys, rocky headlands and numerous beaches, many
are excellent for swimming, fishing, scuba diving and
many other activities. The area is popular for day
trips and recreation for Christchurch residents, be
it the beaches or walking trails through the hills.
When NZ
was colonised, the area was mostly forest which was
used milled for the building of Christchurch city. To
facilitate this the Little River stream was dammed
and a canal built which took logs as far as the
township of Tai Tapu and there was also a railway
which carried both passengers and freight. Today the
railway has gone and the railway station has become
an arts and crafts store.
From
Christchurch there is a good two lane
bitumen highway from Christchurch to Akaroa and today Little River is
little more than a general store & cafe, recently
rebuilt after a fire with a range of goods from
grocery items to local art works. There are several
other cafe's and the area is a mecca for water birds
with black swans, geese, herons and many others which
inhabit the old dam.
Of
interest is Tumble-down Bay, to get here turn right
just you enter Little river, however you need to be a
confidant driver for the single lane unsealed road.
There is excellent sheltered swimming and if lucky
you may encounter dolphins.
 After
Little River, the road is very winding and patience
with slow drivers is reguired. A point of interest is
an old Totara tree set in a reserve off the highway
on French Hill which is said to be over 2000 years
old. Nearby is the hilltop hotel which affords a view
over Akaroa harbour.
If you
are travelling with children, Wainui on the Western
side of Akaroa harbour has a good swimming beach and
picnic area. There are no cafes, here, only a couple
of home stays and the French Farm Winery. To get
here, take the turn off after descending the hill to
the cheese factory.
Driving time to Akaroa is about 1 hour from
Christchurch and well serviced by bus. However to
visit places off the main road, you need to drive or
be driven. Other bays are Okains Bay and Little Akaloa.
The northern side of the peninsula can be driven, however
the road can be precarious and covered in snow in winter.
The main highway
follows; Christchurch - Halswell - Taitapu - Motukarara -
Ataahua - Birdlings Flat - Little River - Cooptown - Over
French Hill - Davauchelle - Robinsons Bay - Takawatua -
Akaroa.
Alternate routes are from
Sumner - Lyttleton - Governors bay - Teddington - Gebbies
Valley and continues as above from Motukarara. |
