Changes afoot on Akaroa’s Banks Peninsula Track

Changes are afoot for New Zealand’s most popular private walking track, Akaroa’s Banks Peninsula Track.

This coming tramping season from October 2016 to April 2017 will be the final opportunity to enjoy some of the highlights of the dramatic four day walk around the Pacific coast south east of Akaroa.

After 27 years without change, one of the founding properties will be retired at the end of the season, meaning visitors will no longer visit enchanting Sleepy Cove with it’s fallen sea arch, splendid waterfall, and resident seal population, or visit the headland claimed as the historic pa site where Ngai Tahu defeated Ngati Mamoe.

The Banks Peninsula Track has operated since 1989 as a privately owned and operated company composed of neighbouring properties, but the withdrawal from mid 2017 of Renegat Farm owned by Brian and Fay Narbey means future walkers will take a different route back to Akaroa from the current halfway point at Stony Bay.

Consequently the historic homestead owned by Doug Hood and Fiona Farrell at Otanerito will no longer be accessible by the coastal path. The Otanerito valley tracks of Hinewai Reserve will also be bypassed.

Hinewai Reserve will continue however to play a major role by forming a new walking route up through the reserve in the Stony Bay valley. While plans for the following season are not yet finalized, the Track looks likely to replace its four day option with a slightly shorter 3 day package.

Founding Director Francis Helps of Flea Bay explains "I think this season will be even more busy than usual.

"Every time I talk to people about the Track, they have either walked it or know that it is a wonderful experience and say they plan to do it.

“This coming change will probably prompt many of them to get on the track this season."

With the Banks Peninsula famed for its natural beauty, the Banks Track is one of the great experiences of New Zealand.

While the Track can be covered in two days and nights, at a more leisurely pace it takes longer (usually four days).

The accommodation each night in stunning locations is comfortable but very different, at lodges run by the individual landowners. The 35 kilometre route (with another 15 kilometres of side tracks) covers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes - starting inside the photogenic Akaroa harbour, up to Trig GG above Onuku where the whole peninsula seems to be at your feet, down to the first of three outer bays through some of the best privately held bush in Canterbury. Flea Bay is a marine reserve, hosts a 1300 pair strong breeding colony of penguins, numerous seals and Hector Dolphins.

There follows two days of walking cliff tops and dropping down into bays, passing seal colonies, a Ti Ti reserve, waterfalls, historic Maori sites; a night in the popular purpose built ‘hamlet’ at Stony Bay and a final night in the old farmhouse on the beach at Otanerito.

Then a final day of walking up to the crater rim through the HInewai reserve and down into Akaroa.

For more information go to www.bankstrack.co.nz

Images: Banks Peninsula Track

1st October 2014 - $8 MILLION IN GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO ENHANCE THE GREAT RIDES OF NEW ZEALAND

30th May 2013 - AKAROA MARINE RESERVE APPROVED