Akaroa & The Bays

Have it all included in our overnight stay in our historic and cosy private rooms in the middle of the largest colony of Little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand! Enjoy scenic drive with photo opportunities, short walk, many wildlife and the safe swimming beach just outside your door or explore the surrounding and secluded landscape o Pohatu bd marine reserve.

Complementary evening penguin tour in season, discounted sea-kayaking and an opportunity to walk the beautiful bush and waterfall section of the well-known Banks Track. Visit to the spectacular cliff-tops of the Akaroa Heads Lighthouse Reserve.

At night gaze up and see the milky and wake up to the sound of birdsong, sheep and the sea.

Pohatu Penguins is a family-run business with a long-standing history of protecting the Korora (Little Penguin) for 30+ years. So, when purchasing a tour, you have a positive input on our little Korora.

Small group tours run from Akaroa over one of the most scenic back country roads by 4WD van to Pohatu/ Flea Bay and Pohatu marine reserve, a beautiful sheltered bay out on the wild south eastern corner of Banks Peninsula and home to the largest Little Penguin Colony on mainland New Zealand with over 2000 penguins breeding there

What You Need to Bring

• Food for 24-48 hours depending on package selection.
• Warm clothing for the evening.
• If kayaking, clothes you don’t mind getting wet. Water shoes are not necessary.
• Hiking boots/shoes or athletic shoes for the bush walk.

What we provide

• Access to facilities (toilet, shower, BBQ and a fully equipped communal kitchen)
• Linen
• Towel
• Tea, coffee
• All safety gear for the sea-kayaking

Our sleeping units are private

• Penguin cottage (3 bedrooms, sleeping for 7)
• Gipsy cabin (queen bed)
• Fantail room (queen and a single bed)
• Tree house (3 single beds)

Prices for 24-hour experience

• Adult: $150
• Child (2 to 15): $80
• Group of 4 or more per adult: $125
• Additional night $90 per sleeping quarter
• Have your own 4WD vehicle? Prices start at $55 per adult. 

Departure time

12.00pm in summer and 11.15am from May to August

Length

24 to 48 hours

We are a small, picturesque, organic (in the process of getting our certification) vineyard in French Farm, Banks Peninsula. Visitors have told us that they love to come and stay on the vineyard because they can “escape”, enjoy an outdoor, wood fired bath (our Wagon) and have a relaxing, comfortable break in beautiful surroundings. We also have some stunning, ever changing, landscape views of hills and the sea.

We are looking to re-open our Cellar Door and Tasting Room in September 2022, when our own wine is ready. This is the first harvest under our ownership (although “French Peak” has been around for many years) so it is a very exciting time. Renan Cataliotti has been managing the vineyard for a number of years now and will happily come and introduce himself to you and tell you all about winegrowing. Our big initiatives this year are to move to cane (from spur) pruning and starting BioGro’s organic certification process. Renan has been using organic processes for years but we now want to be able to officially prove that we are practising what we are preaching.

For our accommodation we have a self-contained Barn apartment and a free standing Wagon (in the vineyard). Our Barn is spacious and modern. It sleeps 4 people and has both a lounge and dining area as well as a modern shower room and toilet. If the weather is good then there is an outdoor dining area as well as a barbecue. In the Barn there is a fridge, microwave, heating, wifi, utensils and essentials to ensure a comfortable stay.

Our Wagon is just that - a unique and very comfortable, spacious and modern Wagon, with seating areas inside and out, a shower, heating, wifi and an outdoor bath where you can sit and look at the sea, hills and our vineyard whilst drinking our award winning wine. Star gazing and relaxation are musts here!

During your stay you are also welcome to spend time sitting in our beautiful, landscaped gardens, wandering through our forest area with its ponds, waterfall, native New Zealand plant life and stream, play petanque and taste our wine at the Cellar Door.

We look forward to welcoming you to our little piece of paradise.

www.frenchpeak.co.nz - “French inspired, New Zealand born, Scottish heart”.

Carolyn and Simon Lints

Lavericks Bay is on Banks Peninsula, just under two hours from Christchurch and about 30 minutes from Akaroa.

Rich in history, the scenic bay is set on a 1000 hectare sheep and beef farm, which has been in the same family since the 1850s. 

Lavericks Bay offers two types of accommodation, being the Lavericks Bay – Beach Cabin, and the Lavericks Bay – Camp.

The Lavericks Bay Beach Cabin is steps away from Lavericks Bay Beach. It is slightly elevated, with a stunning view out over the beach and bay. The cabin has two bedrooms, with the bedding arrangement ideal for either two couples travelling together or a family of up to 5. The cabin has been thoughtfully renovated with an eco-conscience. Wool insulation, natural latex and merino wool beds and organic cotton linen are just some of the environmentally-friendly choices your hosts have made. They are passionate about supporting New Zealand businesses so you'll see plenty of other stylish Kiwi furnishings and products featured too.

The Camp is set on a sunny spot on the farm. It has two thoughtfully decorated tents both with wood-burners, and a camp kitchen and bathroom. With a dedicated communal area, the campsite is perfectly set up for two small families, or a group of friends holidaying together. A four-person hot tub offers the ultimate outdoor soaking-under-the-stars experience.

During the warmer months enjoy long days swimming and playing at the sandy beach. When the tide is low, there are rock pools exposed for young kids, (and kids at heart!) to explore. In the evening, gather at your accommodation, or take a picnic basket down to the beach for a glass of wine and toasted marshmallows around the campfire.

In the cooler months take full advantage of the cosy accommodation choices your hosts have worked hard to create, whether you are staying in the beach cabin, or at the camp

The isolation is a highlight of this incredible place... While there are a handful of others living and staying on the property, it's likely you'll have the beach all to yourselves... spot the seals and dolphins that visit the bay while you're sipping your evening drink in the sun, to the background sound of the birds and the waves. Total bliss. If you're dying for a chance to escape, relax and really reconnect with family and friends, make it an adventure too, and go stay at Lavericks Bay!  

Escape to paradise at The Point, an off-the-grid, cliff-top retreat in Pigeon Bay. Sea views, spacious comfortable design, open fires indoors & out and a private swimming cove, make this a unique stay. Winner of Bach of the Year 2017 (Eco Category), The Point is just as luxurious as it is functional, with industrial and copper accents, and two super-king sized bedrooms with sea views. Kick back by the large open fireplace for a cosy winter hideaway, or head outside for the ultimate al fresco dining by the outdoor fireplace on a summer’s evening.

In just over an hour from Christchurch, you will find your perch above one of the most tranquil bays on Canterbury’s magnificent Banks Peninsula. Far from the tour bus hoards, you’ll sink in to a steaming wood-fired hot tub under an abundance of stars and, if you choose, you can even enjoy sumptuous local fare delivered to your door.

Although you’ll be a 15-minute walk from the nearest road - in the midst of a working cattle farm - you’ll sleep on real beds in double-glazed, New Zealand-made pods; more solid than canvas, much more romantic than an ordinary hotel room.  

If you’re an adventurous soul – whether travelling in a small group, on an adventure for two or flying solo – and you want an idyllic spot in which to stop, relax, read and breathe in the silence, Te Wepu is just the place.

Your hosts Kate and Richie Bocock have a background in farming in various parts of New Zealand, and are now happy to be settled next to the sea. They feel privileged to have taken on this storied patch of paradise. With their family, they have worked hard to create a unique experience for New Zealanders and foreign tourists alike.

Kate and Richie want you to have a special and unforgettable experience, so they’ll work with you to establish key details such as your arrival time (so the tub can be hot!) and whether you’ll be wanting one of Kate’s legendary Te Wepu hampers (hot tip: you do!!).

To fully appreciate the Te Wepu experience we recommend you take the 20-30 minute hike, through a Rhododendron dell and a Walnut grove, alongside the Te Wepu stream, and finish with a short intrepid climb through farmland to your Pod. This does require sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure.

Alternatively, we will take the 4WD, with your bags, up to your Pod. Given enough warning you will arrive to a warm hot tub – an abundance of firewood will make it easy for you to keep it hot!

 Your hosts Kate and Richie do ask that you check-in and out during daylight hours - the pods are off a farm track and there are no street lights up there!!

Once you are at your Pod, you can either prepare and cook your food that you've bought yourself, on the BBQ that is provided. Or you have arrived to one of Kate's hampers (some basic cooking skills are still required but it is as simple as turning the BBQ on and flipping a steak).  Kate's hamper can be ordered at the time of booking.

On the morning of check-out, your hosts will bring the 4x4 to collect you and your luggage or you can wander back down the marked track in your own time and meet your bags at the carpark.