One of the best walks I have done. Beautiful scenery with lots of surprises. Had the whole walk to ourselves (and our group). Great experience. DAVID AND SUSAN CHESSELL

Our group of 12 rated the BPT one of the best if not the best trip we had ever done! It exceeded our expectations in every respect. We could not think of any element that could be improved. It was nice to meet some of the property owners. BRIAN BROCKLEBANK

Wonderful - we would recommend this trip highly. Our group of 12 had a wonderful time. the trip more than met our expectations in all areas. The scenery and weather were beautiful, the trip markings excellent and the accommodation comfortable and most interesting. Many of us have trekked in NZ and overseas as well as Australia and we would rank this as one of the best walks we have ever done. Thanks for a great holiday. ELIZABETH PEEDOM

An amazing trip would recommend to others. Everything was excellent. SUE BOLTON  

AWESOME. Well what can I say! It was just awesome, the weather wasn't so good had rail, hail, snow, sunshine but the huts were cosy and warm and the service was wonderful. The highlight was the penguins at Flea Bay. Thanks so much. ALISON NIMMO

Everything went like clockwork, fantastic walk, scenery and walk exceeded expectations, accommodation excellent. ROBERT WINDSOR

Everything exceeded expectations, the accommodation, the vistas and bush were spectacular. Wonderful experience one we and the children will not forget! JIM PORTEOUS

Excellence all round. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk in every respect, the anticipation of the walk supported by prompt and courteous assistance and a website that is in itself a journey of discovery. The track and the accommodation were well above expectations; thoughtfully appointed, clean, beautifully placed and with lots of good humour thrown in. Everything seems to have been thought of already - the maps are fantastic, seating right where the view is most spectacular, caution given only where necessary, and luxury in the great outdoors with a classic NZ twist. The theatre seating in a lean-to against a rock; an outdoor pool table; graphic illustrations as signs. Times given were spot on, and every place seemed as unspoilt and ready to receive as if only a few 'insiders' had been there before. The provisions on site were also well pitched and we are planning when we can next take a few days to visit again. Thank you to the farm holders who keep giving such careful and abundant service to all us passers through. The track was also beyond expectation - I didn't know there was such a wealth of native flora and fauna to be seen, and such diversity of landform too. A perfect setting. CHARLOTTE CLEMENTS

An absolutely awesome experience. Cannot fault the service and organisation. Having packs carried days 1 & 4 make it so much more enjoyable. OWEN / TERESA VAUGHAN

Absolutely the most wonderful experience at every level! Everything about this walk was truly fabulous- from the our first contact with the bus driver from Christchurch through to the hospitality of the farmers themselves...the scenery, the pristine countryside....to accommodation and facilities. It way exceeded our expectations. JENNY MORRIS

Challenging, but ultimately rewarding. For the first day's walk, a reasonable level of fitness is required, particularly the uphill bit from 'cold'. Accommodation overall is great, especially the stargazer huts on the first night. SONYA HAMEL

Excellent - huts all a different experience which was fun. KATHRYN HAMMOND

We had a great trip thank you. We enjoyed each of the cottages for a different reason - but most of all we think for the quaintness of each in its own way and the degree of trust shown by all owners with the honesty system - in this day and age this was very appreciated. If we had known in advance that there was wine to be bought at the cottages we would not have struggled carrying our own!!!! We hope that some of our kids will experience the joy of the track at some time soon - thank you all. PETER GOODMAN

Once in a lifetime experience. The beauty of the Banks Peninsula is incredible. The huts were clean, well-stocked, and comfortable. For the most part, the trails were well-marked. JAYNE SPAULDING

A magic experience. This tramp is not just about the walking. What I also love are all the 'extras' that you get along the way. I love the quirky kiwi humour that is obvious throughout the track, and the huts are hard to leave. NICOLA JENNINGS

Awesome experience. The track was really great. We liked the quietness and the amazing views. Very nice accommodation to stay. We loved it! RUUD BRANDENBURG

Great scenery, a wonderful experience. Dinner on first night was great and the experience just got better, our group will be talking about this trip for a very long time. DEL READ

Fabulous... Our family party of four, including my 9yr old nephew, loved every bit of it!. Lovely walk to test ones fitness, stunning scenery and comfortable, quirky and beautifully designed guest accommodation. ANTHONY HAVENS

Put this track on your 'Bucket List' (your Must Do List). I am a keen NZ tramper/hiker and I rate this track top equal in NZ. Please do it. The accommodation is enchanting, the Penguin evening is superb, the ability to see wildlife - like seals, seabirds and NZ native birds is great. Thank you 'BP Track'- you are sharing a very special corner of NZ with the world and we are privileged to have done it. FRAN MITCHELL

Fabulous! A truly great tramp. Service was great, we loved how everything was on the honor system and the cottages felt like our own. ANNETTE WATERMAN

Fantastic experience!!! Wonderful paths. Nice and creative huts. Friendly people. High quality of service. MARCO WALTER

That was the easiest holiday to book and the most memorable!! Thank you for making it all possible, even the sun shone! BELINDA SLADE

One of the best holidays we had. We were really pleased to be able to experience the penguin watching and kayaking in Flea Bay. The tracks were well marked and not over engineered which added to the total outdoor feeling. ANNE THORNLEY

Great accommodation & fabulous scenery. The variation of chalets was a real bonus. We particularly enjoyed the quaintness of the Stony Bay complex. The variety of scenery was wonderful, too. We appreciated the honesty box system for buying extras. The extra walks and fauna at each bay were excellent, too. CHRIS BOTUR

AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. Would strongly recommend that inexperienced or novice walkers opt to have their backpacks carried on the first and last legs. The terrain is quite difficult on these days and to get full value out of the scenery, I would recommend that bags be ported. An amazing challenge and once conquered a real sense of achievement. Fabulous group of travellers on our 4 day trek. KAREN LILLEY

One Great Tramp! What can I say-great tramp, great weather, great company, friendly penguins. We had an incredible time. KAREN ROBBINS

Great accommodation, amazing views and amazing friends. We have completed all of the great walks and would rank this walk as the very best we have done. Awesome scenery, amazing accommodation and great company. A fantastic Christmas experience for our family. JACKIE GOODFELLOW

Great track, would recommend to friends. Really enjoyed the track, were blessed with glorious weather and just a bit of mist to remind us what it could have been like! We were very pleased we had opted for the 4 day walk; seeing the penguins with Francis and the sea-kayaking on Boxing Day was glorious. Definitely met expectations. Felt that the sea-kayaking charge was too cheap for the fun and experience that we had: I am sure that everyone in our party would have been willing to pay $25-30 for our 2 hour trip. NICKI MURRAY

Definitely a walk to recommend with numerous points of interest. Great views, well sign posted and well catered accommodation with plenty of side trips and activities available along the way - definitely a walk to recommend. Projected times between each stage appeared ambitious. Plenty of fence stiles assisted with fence crossings. JOHN ASHBY

Wonderful scenery, excellent track and good accommodation. Fantastic experience thankyou. Thanks for arranging full pack cartage. That was essential for us. Accommodation was excellent particularly at Long Bay. Really appreciated how fires were already prepared and everything ready for us each night. Smaller rooms in some locations (less people per room) would be good for better sleeping. Loved the penguins etc at Flea Bay. We will tell all our friends in Australia about the wonderful time. ROBIN BOOTH

Second visit for me, just as lovely as the first. All people involved very friendly and helpful, including Information Center staff. The care and dedication of the landowners to looking after their patch of the environment, and in introducing it to others, is inspiring to see. ELKE VEEH

Absolutely fantastic. Our party of 6 including 2 15 year olds was extremely happy with the whole experience. We thought it was an unforgettable 4 days and we will tell our friends all about it. We had sunshine every day and no wind which made it all the better. LIZ GREENFIELD

AWESOME!! Accommodations are wonderful and very clean, scenery is breathtaking. A fantastic tramp that I would like to repeat! STEFAN ANDREAS MEYER

Brilliant walk and surprisingly good accommodation. Exceptional quality of service both with booking and during the walk. The accommodation far exceeded our expectations, as did the maintenance of the track and information provided. The scenery was far more spectacular than we had imagined. BETH POTTER

This is a top quality tramping experience - the fact that this is our second time on the tramp is evidence of this! SALLY REID

Fantastic scenery, great accommodation. Limitation to 12 walkers at a time is great. Accommodation is excellent with well stocked supplies making the experience all the more enjoyable. Great opportunity to see conservation at work with the penguins and native forest. Great value for money. JOHN FREDERICKSEN

Brilliant. Had an excellent time - day 1 was disappointing as very misty and we couldn't see anything - but that is beyond your control. Our thanks to the painters of the fence posts and white stones. The accommodation was excellent. PAUL MAHER

We all find the Banks Peninsula Track provides a fantastic experience. All huts are different and have their own individual charm. The track also gives an insight into a type of life that is (as far as I can see) special to New Zealand, not really possible in Holland, for example. The track itself is very do-able without being too easy (for us!) and provides the variety of forest and farmland. We recommend this track to every one visiting New Zealand. INEZ GRIM

A great walk, track well marked, views just out of this world, would recommend to others a must track to walk. EVELYN SWINBURNE

Very good experience, even better than last time 7 yrs ago. SALLY NICOLL

Wonderful track, weather and travelling companions! The BPT was well above my expectations. I especially enjoyed the quirky accommodation, the numerous optional walks (to waterfalls and interesting views), the extra activities (kayaking and penguin tour) and the weather was stunning. All added up to a great four day trip which I have already recommended to others! GILLIAN ELLIOT

Great trip would recommend it to anyone! Huts where awesome, food availability rocked and all in all the whole trip was great! JASON KARLE

Great! Truly exceptional -- down to the tiniest detail. EVELYN TRIBBLE

Excellent. Met all expectations. Pitched at exactly the correct standard. All the facilities that are required without spoiling it by overly ' GILDING THE LILY ' superb. Two youngsters and two guys of mature age all rated it as wonderful. KEITH HOLDEN

FANTASTIC!! Flea Bay was something real special. The evening with Francis Helps and the penguins was something I will always treasure. The kayaking with Ave the next day was also magic. Since I live on the Banks Peninsula, this is a track I will try to take every visitor from the US on. Stoney Bay is an enchanting spot. Doug and Fiona were warm and gracious hosts especially with the lift for "Bad Knees" Johnson back to Akaroa on the last day. I've done a lot of tramping here in NZ and this is one of my favorites because of the people #1, the wildlife, variety of flora, and the magnificent views. See you again in coming years. TOM KUENNING

The whole experience was absolutely delightful. The walking tracks were well maintained and the scenery fantastic. The huts were great, and the beds much better than expected. Our group especially loved the creative quaintness of the individual huts at Stoney Bay. LINDA HOUGH

Wonderful scenery and magical accommodation. Beautiful places to stay, creative and inspiring. Superior in every way to the DOC experience. KAREN GUTSCHLAG

Fantastic variety of scenery and accommodations. This was the second time I have done this walk and I would cheerfully do it again. DAWN MCCALLUM

Best Track of all!!! Every thing was superb. Really felt I got a sense of NZ rural life and enjoyed the wildlife very much. Highlight was Flea bay and the penguins and seals. LINDA FRIEND

Fantastic. We loved the walk and accommodation--definitely exceeded expectations. TED FRIESEN

Fantastic NZ tramp. Wonderful accommodations, great scenery. Don't miss the side trips, and especially the Helps Family Blue Penguin Sanctuary. DAVID DOWIS

Outstanding. The best hiking and accommodation ever! I especially loved Stoney Bay, an absolutely magical place! KATH GIRDLER ENGLER

Perhaps one of my best walks in New Zealand! Walk exceeded my expectations - superb quirky accommodation. Excellent attention to detail both in the farm homesteads and on the track. Spectacular varied scenery. Will return to the UK with ever-lasting memories of the walk - candles to dine by, cosy log fires, hot bath under the stars, baby penguin outside the front door and even skinny dipping in the aquamarine ocean - the guys stayed behind!!!! Of course the other walkers (Canadians, American, Germans, Kiwis) helped make the walk such a memorable occasion for we 2 from the UK. A B I G thank you to the Banks Peninsula Track folks for keeping the Track in such good order - well done - you deserve a S T A R each and every one of you!!!!!!!!!! Will certainly recommend this walk to friends. MO DOBBIE

Unique, personal, scenic, funky, comforts. BP track a strong visitor asset for Banks Peninsula. Congrats on developing and maintaining an attractive, safe, soft adventure activity. You have set a high standard and I look forward to doing the track again. DAVID NEUFELD

Fantastic. Everything about the walk exceeded my expectations from collection outside information centre in Akaroa to finish. A glorious four days in the company of 11 great like minded fellow trekkers who, like me were attracted by the excellent website. Accommodation was better than expected and some of the most unusual and exciting I have experienced. Try it, you will not be disappointed. GERALD DUNN

Tremendous experience. Everything was first class. All the people who had taken the hike (I came from working in Antarctica) told me I would love it, and they were right. Thank you, thank you. KATHY RICHMOND

As I expected: Fantastic! This was my second hike on the Banks and there are bound to be more! Thanks! I really appreciated the Helps delivering some of my gear to Akaroa- made the rest of my trip all the better (with a lighter pack)- having that personal contact with the land owners really makes this trip extra special... ELLEN EWANKOW

Wonderful trip. Perfect weather, great stops - each place was different but very good. I would recommend it to anyone. BARBARA BOURKE

It was absolutely great! The overnight stays were lovely. Nice touches like flowers on the table and a fire to ignite! The possibility to have a glass of wine! Good toilet facilities. Thank you so much it was all greatly appreciated! MARIA LEUCKEFELD

Exceeded my expectations, enjoyable in all respects. I am a keen tramper and expected the BPT would be a bit of a doddle. It was, but this turned out to be a bonus because there was plenty of time for socialising, local walks, swims, and reading, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, flexibility, and eclectic (Stony Bay) nature of the accommodation. Food arrangements excellent; walking track high standard and well maintained; and the daily limit of 12 makes for an uncrowded walk. Coastal scenery very dramatic. Guide booklet with maps very useful and informative. Enjoyed the sea kayaking at Flea Bay and swimming at Otanerito Bay. Will be back some time to do it again. GEOFF LOGAN

Absolutely fantastic. The tramp was brilliant, more than I had hoped for. I had an amazing time. It was incredibly beautiful. The accommodation was fantastic and a great way to finish a long days walk. So beautiful. I can't thank you enough for the experience. NANCY HATI

We had a great time walking the track, thank you. I felt that the trip was very well organised. Your website is excellent with up to date and accurate information. The track itself was nearly always well marked and well maintained, the accommodation was excellent also, I especially enjoyed sleeping on the verandah at Onuku and Otanerito. We had excellent weather and a good bunch of people. GREAT. GILL BRUNT

Relaxed and leisurely with variety of experiences. Your 20 years experience in knowing how to meet the needs of walkers was valued by me! Still affordable, maximising nature, comfortable and quirky lodgings, hot bath, fresh food available, a different experience every day, plenty of time to enjoy the environment! Many thanks. GAY EASTERBROOK

Fantastic. I managed to impress my north island guests. Scenery superb, accommodation great each place offering a different experience. Loved the little shops. Exceeded expectations. Can't think of anything that could be improved. JENNY BARTLEY

Absolutely fabulous! This was a first class experience - excellent service and everything exceeded expectations -loved the stargazer hut I slept in on the first night - please put them in everywhere! The shops are just great - really liked the variety of walking terrain, scenery and plant and animal life. The whimsical huts at stoney bay are a delight as is the bath under the stars. Many thanks. MARIS O'ROURKE



Absolutely amazing. Absolutely exceeded expectations - the accommodation, the availability of wine and food, the good people you meet, both on the farms and on the walk - you cannot go wrong. CUAN GRAY

Great, well organised hike, the facilities were wonderful, especially the quirky cabins and amenities at Stony Bay. I'd highly recommend the hike and the way it was run. The number of people allowed is about right, no-one wants a crowded track, there's already enough sheep on it already! DAVE KELSHAW

A wonderful trip in a beautiful area. The accommodation was a series of interesting surprises which added to our trip. CHRISTINE HARLAND

Amazing scenery, highly recommended. Found it hardier than expected, sheep tracks very narrow when wearing boots and a strong wind blowing. Were unfortunate to get a cold southerly one day but it all added to the experience and a cozy fire at the end of the day was great. Thoroughly enjoyed the pantries and fridge what a delight. I would do it again no hesitation. KARILYN FROUDE

Absolutely fantastic!! This was my first 'tramp' and WOW! What an experience! I met some wonderful people, had a fantastic 4 days, each and every environment that we stayed in was truly very comfortable and very different and genuine, and the attention to detail was fabulous. I have returned home to the UK and shared only positive remarks to everyone. When I return to NZ (hopefully sooner rather than later!!!!) I would very much like to do the walk again. In fact, I would do it in 2 days next time, now I’m an experienced tramper!!!!!! ;-) JOSIE NEWTON

Have already recommended this experience to friends : Service provided was excellent. The experience overall exceeded our expectations. Accommodations were more than adequate and were uniquely entertaining at some places. The 'shops' and their stores were a very pleasant surprise as we didn’t expect the range and we feel that this could be emphasised more in your advertising as it is a definite advantage (and lightens your load on the track nicely!) Overall? Extremely good value for money. I have been visiting/living in NZ for over 40 years enjoying the camping, tramping and company of Kiwis and their country - this was the first time I have done a 'private' tramp and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you can - do it in four days to prolong the enjoyment and reduce the need to push yourself, whatever your age. P.S. I celebrated my 71st birthday at Stoney Bay - MEMORABLE :) TERRY MALONEY

Unbelievably enjoyable, once in a lifetime experience. Excellent transfer service from Akaroa Shuttle. Driver Iain went way beyond call of duty. Interesting, comfortable and clean accomodation. Enjoyed the warm fires and the excellent cooking facilities. Shops were well stocked and offered good variety of delicious fresh food. Enjoyed the quirky and efficient facilities including the great swing at Stony bay. Memorable swim at Otanerito and the freshly dug potatoes!! Overall we had a super experience, the scenery was awesome and the challenge for inexperienced trampers well worthwhile. JAMES O CONNELL