This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Akaroa.
Akaroa is a small peninsula a little over an hour outside of Christchurch that offers beautiful ocean views, a small-town feel, and a great alternative to staying in the city. The town is popular with anyone looking for relaxing but particularly families and retired people who take their boats out on sunny afternoons to look for dolphins or who stroll along the sidewalks looking for a nice place to have a glass of wine. Akaroa offers a very relaxing atmosphere and plenty of quiet walking tracks and bike trails as well as nice cafes, art galleries, and historical architecture.
Since it is small and quaint, there are only a few choices for hostels in Akaroa, but the hostels offer unique accommodation options and the welcoming owners will make you instantly feel at home. While staying in an Akaroa hostel, you can get a feel for local life, spending a morning fishing by the ocean or even staying on a local farm.
The cafes and restaurants in Akaroa are wonderful and many use ingredients from local farms. There are plenty of places to sit and watch the ocean while enjoying a coffee, beer, local fish and chips or a fancy dinner, depending on your budget and tastes. If you really love local food, you can take a farm tour to taste local cheese and olives or visit the local winery. You can spend your afternoons wandering in and out of art galleries and shops or meandering along hiking trails nearby. The natural beauty of the surrounding hills and ocean are worth exploring where you can find the largest penguin colony in New Zealand, as well as dolphin cruises and sea kayaking adventures. The beautiful quaint town of Akaroa is the perfect getaway from the city and a great destination for hiking and water adventures or leisurely wandering, or eating and drinking in a beautifully natural setting.
Written by local enthusiast for Akaroa hostels
Amanda Haehl