Our first day in the Christchurch area was overcast with strong winds off the ocean. James, motel owner, suggested we travel to the old whaling town of Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, SE of Christchurch. We didn’t know it was a 75k drive through lowlands and mountains suffering an immense erosion problem. But the real surprise came during the last 30K; a sharp climb of 815 metres to Hill Top, with the usual sharp turns, switch-backs & long drop off the roadside (yes, we were on the outside lane) before a downward race on similar roads. Perfectly working brakes are an absolute! During our climb we saw a car on a bend high above us; then we noticed a private plane flying over the mountain. It appeared as if the car and plane were travelling at the same altitude! Amazing scenery when you could take your eyes off of the road. However, I now know why my neck is sore ... it’s from stretching to see around the curves in those mountains...
Akaroa village was originally settled by the French....and a strong French presence remains in the style of buildings, street names and some of the inhabitants. It’s a pretty town situated on a small harbour with up-scale tourist shops, museums, restaurants and of course, real estate offices. My sense is that this town is also popular as a “cottage” destination for the wealthier residents of Christchurch; those that fly to Akaroa. Around 4pm, after lunch by the sea and a couple of hours touring the village we began the climb over the mountain to CC. We detoured to an olive oil tasting store (closed/sold-out) and eventually stopped in Cooptown (yes) at an orchard for peaches and sweet cherries. Yummy!
We were told that stopping at Birdlings Flat, a coastal beach on our route was a must. A pebbled beach with rocks constantly rolling with the strong wave action, the roar of the sea surrounds you. Birdlings Flat is in theory rich with over 20 types of semi-precious stones, particularly agates. We found some nice coloured stones however nothing too precious. Riverton on the extreme south coast was better for beachcombing. Perhaps we were expecting too much!
PS – on route to CC we passed a farm with the name “Tree Hugger Organic Farm”!
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