A 90 minute drive from our Parker depot will wind you through gorgeous countryside and plop you straight into New Zealand’s only French settlement—Akaroa. As you wind your Parker camper up into the hills of the Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury plains disappear, replaced by the dramatic, rolling remnants of an ancient volcanic crater. Descending the other side, you find Akaroa: a historic harbour village where colonial architecture meets turquoise waters, and the street signs read Rue instead of Street. Whether you are kicking off your South Island road trip or looking for a slow-paced finale before flying out, Akaroa is the perfect place to drop a gear and breathe.
Read our guide to find out why.
Akaroa is famously New Zealand’s only French settlement. While the British claimed the land before the French arrived in 1840, the Joie de vivre remained.
For the modern traveller, this means one important thing: excellent food and wine.
Park up near the waterfront and stroll down Rue Lavaud. The vibe here is distinctively "slow travel." It isn’t about rushing to the next checkpoint; it’s about finding a sun-drenched table at a bistro, ordering a wine, and watching the boats bob in the harbour.
The harbour itself is a marine sanctuary, home to the Hector’s dolphin. These are one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, found only in New Zealand waters. They are distinguishable by their rounded, "Mickey Mouse ear" dorsal fins and their playful nature.
Because the harbour is the flooded crater of an extinct volcano, the water is deep, calm, and sheltered. This makes it a great place to take a harbour cruise or—if you’re brave enough to don a wetsuit—swim alongside these rare creatures. It is a bucket-list experience that feels genuinely wild, not manufactured.
You don't need to be a mountaineer to enjoy the views here. For the best return-on-effort walk, head to the Children’s Bay Walkway.
It’s a gentle coastal track that winds through bush and farmland, offering sweeping views of the harbour entrance. The trail is famous for the Rhino—a quirky, life-sized sculpture standing on the ridgeline. It’s the perfect spot to sit on the grass, open a flask of tea, and watch the light change over the water.
The beauty of having a Parker camper is that you aren't tethered to the main village. The Banks Peninsula is a maze of steep, winding roads leading to hidden bays like Le Bons, Okains, and Little Akaloa.
On your way in or out, make a stop at Barrys Bay Cheese (you can't miss it on the main road). Grab a wheel of their award-winning cheddar. Later, when you’ve found that perfect secluded parking spot for the evening, you can slide open the side door, plate up a cheeseboard, and enjoy the silence of the peninsula.
Because Akaroa is so close to Christchurch, it makes for an ideal last night on the road. It allows you to savour New Zealand’s beauty for one last night, but be close enough to Christchurch for a short drive the next day.
Ready to slow down? Explore the Banks Peninsula in style with Parker Campers. Book today!
