Both our walks start and finish in Akaroa and take you on the same 35 kms circular route around the remote and beautiful south eastern bays of Banks Peninsula. They visit the same accommodations, with total independence from any daily itinerary.
The Banks Peninsula Track climbs up and over the crater rim surrounding Akaroa Harbour. From there it descends through native forest to the Pacific Coast at Flea Bay and Pohatu Marine Reserve.
The Track then follows this dramatic coastline, via clifftops, rocky bays and sandy beaches before once more ascending through forest to the crater rim and descending to Akaroa.
The Track route is wonderfully diverse, passing through lush native bush and beech forest, with waterfalls and birdsong, and crossing open pasture with stunning panoramic views.
The Banks Peninsula Track is 35 kms of hill country walking.
Grade classifications. Four day walk is moderate. Two day walk is demanding.
Walking Distances and Estimated Times
Section 1 Onuku - Flea Bay. 11 kms, 4-6 hrs
Section 2 Flea Bay - Stony Bay. 8 kms, 2-4 hrs
Section 3 Stony Bay - Otanerito Beach. 6 kms, 2-3 hrs
Section 4 Otanerito Beach - Akaroa. 10 kms, 3-5 hrs
Four day walkers walk one section per day.
Two day walkers walk two sections per day
NB. Remember you start walking following your first nights accommodation, so you need either four or two days (depending on package) after your start date.
During your 35km on the Banks Peninsula Track you will cross five farming properties, a number of small DOC reserves and the private Hinewai Reserve, in addition to two smaller non-farm properties and two sections on public road or track.
You quickly gain height after passing the Onuku farm buildings following the grass farm road to the abandoned site of Paradise Farm. Continue up through open pasture with stunning views of Akaroa Inner Harbour until finally reaching Trig GG, the highest point on the walk. From here on clear days there are views over to the Southern Alps. Soon after there is a walkers' shelter, before you cross over the crater rim. A brief road section starts the descent into Flea Bay, you turn off at Mortlock's Mistake, following the stream through conservation reserves with red beech and regrowth hardwood forest, and a series of four waterfalls, (access behind the veil of the last one) before emerging into the grazed land of the valley floor. In the last 20 minutes you pass Nikau palms at their southernmost limit. The cottage is just 200m from the beach and Pohatu marine reserve.
Onuku - Flea Bay. 11 kms, 4-6 hrs
The Track leaves Flea Bay by climbing to just 150 metres altitude and then traversing along the eastern side of the bay above Pohatu marine reserve, giving good views, with seats provided for dolphin and penguin viewing. The narrow track continues on through the DOC penguin sanctuary area and rounds the tip of the headland before reaching the gully above Island Nook. From here it follows the dramatic clifftop route to the iron oxide stained cliffs of Redcliffe Point before dropping down to the 'Gull and Shag' shelter built against the rock wall. You cross a stream here, near the Seal Cave, a reliable haunt of fur seals, often swimming and playing with their young amongst the rocks or curled up asleep in the cave. The track climbs steeply after this to the ridge (with great views to Pompeys Pillar to the north), and then follows round the coast before a steep descent brings you down onto the beach. You cross the small creek and walk a hundred yards up the valley to the Stony Bay cottages.
Flea Bay - Stony Bay. 8 kms, 2-4 hrs
From Stony Bay you climb briefly through regenerating coastal forest ( penguin sanctuary) before heading out to Blowhole Point (where in favourable conditions the sea whooshes up through a small hole in the rock shelf). You then swing inland again past rock-walled Blind Bay, up a bushy gully, and out to the southern headland of Sleepy Bay with it's spectacular view of the Sea Arch. Sheltered Sleepy Bay is in delightful contrast, a good place to lunch or linger - its high bush-girt waterfall is just a couple of minutes off the main track. You cross one more spur, passing the site where Ngai Tahu warriors fought a decisive battle with Ngati Mamoe some 300 years ago, before joining the broad farm track down to Otanerito beach.
Walks to 'Fantail falls' or the 'Stones' viewpoint are options for the energetic, after arrival.
Stony Bay - Otanerito Beach. 6 kms, 2-3 hrs
The first kilometre from Otanerito beach is through farmland alongside the creek, but for most of the way upvalley the route traverses Hinewai Reserve through extensive regenerating native forest and some mature old-growth beech forest. The gradient is gentle at first, following the lower reaches of Narbey Stream, with short sidetracks leading to waterfalls. The second half of the ascent is steeper but under shady forest canopies. Eventually you emerge into a parkland of native trees and pasture at Brocheries Flat, before making the last short climb to Purple Peak saddle, 590m above sea level. Akaroa Harbour spreads out below you like a satellite image. For the energetic, a 40 minute steep side track leads to the even loftier viewpoint of Taraterehu, or Stony Bay Peak, 806m. From the saddle the track descends quite steeply through grassy farmland gullied with native bush and surrounded by spacious views in all directions, finally entering town by Mt Vernon Lodge and Rue Balguerie.
Otanerito Beach - Akaroa. 10 kms, 3-5 hrs
The accommodation on the Banks Peninsula Track is renowned for its individuality, comfort and great locations, and for the extra touches that add a dash of luxury to the 'hiking', 'trekking', or 'tramping' experience.
The Track 'huts' are serviced daily, with clean pillowcases, t-towels, bathroom hand towels provided.
All the 'huts' have comfortable beds, woodstove heating, flush toilets, and hot showers. Their fully equipped kitchens include stoves, fridges, pans, cutlery, crockery, cleaning materials, t-towels etc. (You do not need to bring any kitchen items). Barbecues are also available.
There is no 'official' hosting at the accommodations on the Banks Peninsula Track, but each hut is owned and run by different families with a high degree of independence as to how they operate.
Our intention from the outset was to try and provide walkers with everything they needed for an enjoyable stay and to remain as much in the background as possible, with our contact being at the personal level rather than in the pre-arranged 'tourist' format.
In many cases you will not see anyone, but we are often around and if you need anything or wish to ask questions, please feel free to come to the farmhouse and find us!
This first night for all walkers is in two purpose built lodges with panoramic views over Akaroa Harbour
The larger, for 4 day walkers, has 2 x 4 bunk bedrooms and a spacious 4 bed loft.
There is a well equipped kitchen/dining room. Gas stoves and water, solar powered lighting. Log burner.
The smaller chalet, for two day walkers, has a kitchen/dining room and 2 bedrooms.
Or you may choose, for fun, to sleep in one of the 'stargazers' where you can lie in your bed and see the stars.
Jeff Hamilton was one of the main forces behind the creation of the Banks Peninsula Track, and for a number of years he had a major role with bookings, bus pick-up (in his farm truck) and orientation. More recently he spent three years as part of the chair group. Jeff invested a great deal in the Track, commissioning all the new lodge buildings at Onuku which he also helped to build.
Onuku farm has been in the Hamilton family since the 1850's. Jeff now offers boat trips on Akaroa Harbour and runs the Track walkers accommodation while his son Stephen runs the Onuku Farm Hostel, which you walk past at the start of your hike up the farm track on your first morning.
This charming 160 yr old pioneer cottage is the second night for walkers on the four day walk, and a midday stop on the two day walk.
Set just 200m back from the safe swimming beach and with verandah views of the bay and Pohatu marine reserve
Electric stove, lights, hot water, shower. Log burner, flush toilets, lots of room. Piano. Gas barbecue.
The cottage is sited within the boundaries of the largest mainland colony of Little Penguin in NZ. Penguins may be heard calling from surrounding hillsides especially in October.
The Flea Bay property was purchased by Francis and Steve Helps as a development farm in 1969. Areas were set aside for conservation, by now more than 80 acres are covered by covenants, with the balance run as a sheep and beef store farm alongside the home property in Akaroa.
Francis and Shireen live in Flea Bay where they have done an enormous amount of conservation work, especially with predator control and with fostering the growing white flippered penguin colony.
Francis is the official Track 'spokesperson', has held a number of positions in the company and sees many of the walkers whilst providing the (seasonal) penguin tour. Shireen sees many of the walkers guiding her kayaking trips which receive great feedback.
Francis and Shireen run Kayaking on Pohatu Marine Reserve & Little Blue Penguin Viewing at Flea Bay, in addition to the trips for Track walkers.
Steve and Pam Helps farm the Flea Bay property in conjunction with Francis and Shireen. Steve and Pam live in Aylmers Valley in Akaroa, managing the home farm property. From 1969 - 1974 their home was the Flea Bay cottage now used by the walkers.
Steve has been the treasurer for the Track since the beginning, and Pam does local brochure distribution and the orientation talk for walkers four days a week.
Steve and Pam look after the cottage and their track section in conjunction with Francis and Shireen.
All four of them represent the Helps shareholding in the Track.
At the mid-point of your walk, the third night for four day walkers and second night for two day walkers is a delightful collection of self-contained colonial style cottages.
The 4 day walk cottages have an open fireplace and log burner, gas cooking, barbecue, candles for lighting, electrically heated shower, flush toilets, and a 'bath under the stars'.
Toilets and hot shower are shared with 2 day walkers.
The 2 day walk cottage is one roomed with a cottage garden, wood stove, barbeque, double mattress in the loft, gas cooking, candles for lighting, and 'bath under the stars'.
A full range of shop supplies are available at Stony Bay.
No-one has been more central to the Banks Peninsula Track than Mark and Sonia Armstrong.
Enthusiastic pioneers of the idea, they have been responsible for all the print advertising and tourism body liason throughout the Tracks' operation, as well as being the largest shareholding.
Mark has designed and built the wonderful and eclectic buildings at Stony Bay, including the 'shower in the tree and 'bath under the stars' ~ his latest inspiration was 'The Gull and Shag' shelter at the Seal Cave between Flea Bay and Stony Bay.
In addition to her marketing role, Sonia has spent many years as chairperson of the Track and holds that role currently.
Mark has lived all his life at Stony Bay, on the farm known as Opatuti where Sonia joined him in 1973.
They have been at the forefront of farm conservation throughout, initiating many projects and creating covenants on the property. They purchased neighbouring land in 2001 to safeguard the Track route, for farming viability, development, and conservation purposes. Much of the farm is now leased out
allowing them to focus on those projects, including the 'Sooty Shearwater protection fence' high on the cliffs above Stony Bay.
The fourth night for four day walkers, and a comfortable rest stop for two day walkers.
Set in a delightful 'out of control' organic garden, abundant with both exotic and native plants, the house is just fifty yards from a safe, sandy beach with good swimming in calm seas and great boogie boarding when the surf is up.
Kitchen and two bedrooms in house 4/6, and garden sleepout for 2.
Outside double toilet/shower block.
Free coffee, tea, sugar.... and a good selection of books, magazines, indoor and outdoor games.
Otanerito Beach Tramper's Shop also has a full range of supplies.
Doug Hood and Fiona Farrell bought the Otanerito Beach house and converted the front of the house for use by Track walkers in 1994, becoming the only non land - crossing shareholding on the Track. Doug had been involved with the Track in varying roles since it opened in 1989, becoming chairperson in 1993 and being continuously involved in the management group until 2007 when he took on the sole role of website design and content management for the Track. He runs the Track accommodation at Otanerito.
Fiona Farrell is an award winning New Zealand novelist, poet, and playwright. Fiona has held the Katherine Mansfield and Rathcoola fellowships in France and Ireland and in 2007 received the NZ Prime Ministers Award for Fiction. She is currently the 2011 Burns Fellow at Dunedin University.
