River Canterbury Banks Peninsula © Adobe Stock INSET: Alpacas, Banks Peninsula © ChristchurchNZ BOTTOM LEFT: Silo Stay, Little River © Silo Stay
Banks
Peninsula
Christchurch Pōhatu Marine Reserve Home to Hector’s dolphins, penguins and seals; guided tours include kayak trips and 4WD excursions as well as walks to see penguins in their natural habitat.
Lyttelton
Spend the Night in a Penguin Colony Book an overnight farm stay
Akaroa
in Pōhatu Bay to sleep next door to a penguin colony. Evening penguin tours are a big hit.
Little River
Shamarra Alpaca Farm Over 170 alpacas graze overlooking scenic harbour views, ready to amuse visitors all day long. Tours are at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Guided Crater Rim Walks March along the rim of an ancient volcano with a knowledgeable local guide. Almost 1000m above sea level, the coastal views are spectacular. Choose a morning,
afternoon or full-day tour, with pickup and drop-off from Christchurch.
Pōhue PurePod For a one-in-amillion experience, the standalone PurePod is almost all glass, allowing for non-stop views of Port Levy Bay and rolling hillside – even from the shower! Hidden Gem Beaches Okains Bay offers a safe beach for families
with a campground right on the sand. Le Bons Bay is about as far east as you can drive and easily one of Canterbury's best beaches.
Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum Tucked away in a quiet beach community, this houses a range of European and Māori taonga. Open weekends in winter and Wednesday to Saturday over summer.
Little River Gallery Supporting New Zealand-made art, this distinct roadside art gallery showcases high-end sculptures, paintings, prints and jewellery as well as a gift shop, sculpture garden and popular Little River Café.
SiloStay A little industrial and a dash post-apocalyptic, eight grain silos have been remodelled into elegant accommodation, decked out with all the mod cons. Check out the Little River Diner next door.
Banks
Peninsula
Little River Craft Station The historic railway station has been sympathetically converted into a charming centre of pottery, jewellery, leather goods and quilts, all made by locals.
The Banks Peninsula A&P Show An annual January event held at the Awa-Iti Domain, arrive for a day of countrified fun, dog competitions, pony rides and heaps of family-friendly activities.
Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden Every year the sculptures grow in number and the gardens grow more gorgeous. Exceptional grounds sprinkled with contemporary sculptures of all sizes and materials. Entry is by appointment.
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