Christchurch to Akaroa: Driving through Banks Peninsula

Updated: 29th January, 2024

Introducing one of the best (and shortest) road trips that you can do in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand! Beginning in Christchurch, this road trip takes you around the stunning Lyttleton Harbour, before heading into the beautiful and remote Banks Peninsula. This area is a little off the beaten track, and makes for an awesome weekend getaway or even an action-packed day trip from Christchurch! Read on to see all the best places to stop on the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa via Lyttleton.

Driving from Christchurch to Akaroa via Lyttleton

If you are looking at driving from Christchurch to Akaroa, then buckle up! This is a fantastic drive that takes a little under two hours from the centre of Christchurch and is a great option for a day-trip or a weekend getaway into the heart of the spectacular Banks Peninsula. There are loads of things to do and places to visit along the way, and is one of the best road trips in the South Island!

If you are planning on driving from Christchurch to Akaroa, you will notice that there are a couple of different routes you can follow – each with its highlights! If you are short on time and want to get to Akaroa fast, the quickest route is heading out of Christchurch through Halswell and Tai Tapu. However, if you haven’t had a chance to visit Lyttleton Harbour yet, and have a little extra time to take in some incredible scenery, then the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa via Lyttleton is the way to go!

Map of the Drive from Christchurch to Akaroa via Lyttleton

The Best Stops along the Drive from Christchurch to Akaroa via Lyttleton

1. Lyttleton

From the centre of Christchurch, it is only a short drive to one of my favourite towns in the Canterbury region – Lyttleton! Lyttleton is a small port town nestled along the northern shores of Lyttleton Harbour, and surrounded by the gorgeous Port Hills. Although it is small, it has a welcoming community and there’s always something going on!

The main street of Lyttleton is home to the weekly Lyttleton Farmer’s Market – which fills London Street with stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, excellent coffee and home-made goods… you name it, they have it! As well as the market, the main street is filled with organic produce stores, cafes, a brewery, and several arts and crafts stores. It’s the perfect place to stop along the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa!

Things to Do in Lyttleton

2. Go for a Swim at Corsair Bay

From Lyttleton, the road winds around the stunning coastline, giving you some spectacular views over the harbour and surrounding mountains. This is one of my favourite roads to drive in Christchurch, and is one of my favourite parts of this road trip!

Lyttleton Harbour is home to several gorgeous bays, each with their own charms. I love to visit Corsair Bay, which is a small bay only a few minute’s drive from Lyttleton, as it is very protected from the wind and so is usually perfect for a swim! This bay is quite small and gets very busy during the summer months, but is worth the stop. From Corsair, you can look out over the harbour and Quail Island, and walk around the track to one of the neighbouring bays.

3. Walk around Governors Bay Jetty

Another great place to stop off and soak up some of those magnificent harbour views is in Governor’s Bay. Governor’s Bay is 20-minutes drive from Lyttleton around the northern shores, and offers some stunning views down the harbour! One of the best ways to enjoy these views is by wandering along the Governor’s Bay Foreshore Walk, an easy stroll that follows the waters edge from the Jetty to the peaceful Allandale Reserve. This walk is great for all ages (as is also suitable for buggies!), and takes around 1-hour return.

4. Explore the Ohinetahi Gardens

Nestled in Governor’s Bay are some of the most beautiful gardens in Canterbury! The Ohinetahi Gardens are a hidden gem in Canterbury – with over 1.25 hectares of stunning gardens, walking trails, sculptures, and 2 art galleries, they are a gorgeous place to explore on a sunny afternoon!

5. Bike along the Little River Rail Trail

For a more action-packed stop on the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa, then a bike along the stunning Little River Rail Trail is a must! This gorgeous trail runs all the way from Christchurch to Little River, passing by the stunning Lake Ellesmere and past Birdlings Flat, before arriving in Little River. The whole trail is around 46 kilometres long, and is split into sections – so you can pick and choose depending on how long you want to ride!

Little River Rail Trail: Motukārara to Little River

One of the most popular sections to bike along the Little River Rail Trail is the section from Motukārara to Little River, via Birdlings Flat. This section of trail follows an old railway embankment along the shores of the stunning Lake Ellesmere and gives you stunning views over the lake and the Southern Alps in this distance. The bike ride is very easy, with the trail being completely flat and along a well-maintained path – although it can be hard going on windy days, as there is no protection!

6. Fossick at Birdlings Flat Beach

Just a short detour off the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa will take you to Birdlings Flat, which is perfect for those who like to have a fossick through rocks along the beach. Birdlings Flat is known for its wild seas and strong currents (so not the best place to swim), and also for its beach rich in gemstones! Wander along the rocky shoreline and keep your eyes peeled for interesting rocks as keepsakes – this area is known for being a great place to find agates, such as quartz and jasper. Plus, a wander down a wind-swept beach is always an awesome way to stretch your legs during a road trip!

After the beach, you should take a minute to explore the Gemstone and Fossil Museum, located at the end of Hillview Road in Birdlings Flat. This tiny museum is jam-packed with incredible shiny stones and ancient fossils, mostly found on the beach only meters away! It is fascinating to look through, and a lot of fun for kids.

7. Have a Coffee at Little River

Now Little River is one of my favourite stops on the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa! This tiny town is so much fun to explore, from the gorgeous cafes that line the main street to the quirky art galleries and unique hotels that call this town home! During the summer months, Little River transforms into a thriving holiday rest stop, where you can pick up tasty treats (and a much-deserved ice cream) before hitting the road.

One of the best things to do in Little River is to pop into the Little River Gallery and admire some of the amazing artworks they showcase. From beautiful ceramics, stunning paintings and hand-made jewellery, it feels like a treasure trove!

8. Admire the View from Hilltop Lookout Point

The next stop on your journey is a fantastic lookout point, where you will get your first views into the spectacular Akaroa Harbour! From Little River, the road becomes quite narrow and winding, as it makes it’s way up the hillside – so it’s best to drive slow and steady! The views from here are definitey worth the stop though. Bonus! It’s the home of the Hilltop Cafe, a really lovely cafe with outdoor seating, where you can enjoy a coffee (or a beer) and soak up the incredible views. There is even a friendly sheep in the neighbouring paddock, which will come and say hi if you’re lucky!

9. Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese

Calling all cheese lovers! This next stop on the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa is a dairy delight, and the perfect place to stop and stock up on locally-made cheeses before heading onward to Akaroa. Barrys Bay Cheese is a traditional cheese maker that has been making cheese here since 1895. There is an onsite shop, where you can taste some of their different cheeses, as well as a window where you can peak into the factory and watch the cheese being made. It is a super interesting place to visit and is a memorable (and delicious) experience!

10. Welcome to Akaroa!

Welcome to Akaroa! The last section of the drive from Christchurch to Akaroa is stunning, as the road winds around the Onawe Peninsula, with incredible views over the harbour and the surrounding rolling green hills.

Akaroa itself is one of the best day-trips from Christchurch, and is definitely worth exploring! It is one of New Zealand’s cutest towns, filled with fantastic French cuisine, lots of seafood, charming buildings, and a truly spectacular harbour. Akaroa has a distinctly French feel, from the street names (Rue Lavaud and Rue Jolie being the main streets) to cosy bistros selling escargot and bouillabaisse – it’s like stepping into a little slice of France! This is due to its history as a former French settlement, all the way back in the 1840s when it was used as a French administrative centre on the South Island. It did not quite work out that way, however at least we got to keep the food!

Things to Do in Akaroa

Know Before You Go: Driving from Christchurch to Akaroa

What is the Best Time to Visit Akaroa?

The best time to visit Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula is during the summer months (December – February) when the days are long and hot and you can enjoy strolling along the promenade or taking a cruise around the bay! It can get very busy during the peak summer season, and so if you are looking for a quieter time to visit then late summer and early autumn is the best time, when the days are still warm, but the streets and cafes are not so crowded!

How to Get to Akaroa with Public Transport?

If you don’t have a car but want to explore this gorgeous coastal town, then no worries! There is a shuttle bus that runs daily services between Christchurch and Akaroa, and also offers stops at Little River, Hilltop Cafe, and Barrys Bay Cheese along the way – so you can still make the most out of this journey without having to drive!

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