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NZ's original private track
      established 1989
100% locally owned and operated

The Banks Peninsula Track
takes you beyond Akaroa to the remote outer bays of Banks Peninsula. This unique walk covers 35 km of spectacular volcanic coastline, native bush, waterfalls and sandy beaches. Its blend of whimsical and historical accommodation and a stunningly diverse track route will enchant and delight you as it has for walkers over more than twenty years.

Easy to organise & great value
Our two self-guided options offer you many of the comforts of guided walks combined with the independence of the freedom walker. Both cover the same distance following the same track route and visit the same accommodations but at a different pace - allowing you to choose the way you want to walk!

Our four day walk
has become one of New Zealand's classic walking holidays. Take the time to explore the side tracks, watch the birds and wildlife, swim, sunbathe, read, play games, beachcomb ... or simply to relax in beautiful surroundings.

View all the four day walk details

Our two day walk
is one of the most spectacular hikes or tramps in New Zealand. It combines hill and coastal walking at their best, making this a great option for those who like to spend much of their day tramping.

View all the two day walk details

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To view current availability, prices, and recent reviews, just click the 'booknow' button here or on any page of our site.
Read more on bookings

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"By far the best of the private walks in New Zealand, the Banks Peninsula Track should be up there with the Milford and the Tongariro crossing as one of the 'must do' walks in NZ..."

Free car parking
Free bus to start
Free penguin tour (seasonal)

Informative guidebook
Well marked trail
Shelters and toilets

Hot showers
Fully equipped kitchens
Trampers' shops

Pack cartage options
Kayaking option on marine reserve

Four day  12 per day.  Price ranges from $220 - $260, per person 

Two day  4 per day. Price ranges from $145 - $165 , per person

Check availability for exact daily pricing on either package.

Season is 1st October - 27th April.

A non-refundable standby price of $195 for four day, and $125 for two day, is available if walking within 5 days of booking.

Restrictions. Our walks are suitable for a wide range of walkers, but are not recommended for children under five years of age.

Your Track booking is for our 5.45pm track bus from Akaroa Information Centre to Onuku Farm. You stay there and start walking the following morning.

Free car parking for walkers is available at the BP Track car park at Mt Vernon Lodge. The carpark is also suitable for campervans. 
This is one kilometre up Rue Balguerie from the main crossroads at the Akaroa Information Centre, which is our bus departure point. At the top of Rue Balguerie, turn left on Purple Peak Rd, cross the bridge and take the left turn into Mt Vernon after fifty metres.

The walking route conveniently passes this carpark at Mt Vernon as you re-enter Akaroa at the end of your walk.
Allow 30 minutes for parking and walking back down to the Information Centre. 
TIP. Leave passenger(s) and packs at the Information Centre/Akaroa before parking to save carrying packs down to bus pickup.

Pack cartage details are best viewed through your chosen walk option page, following these links - four day - two day. (For 2012-13 season please see our news updates).

It is available as an option on the first and last of the four sections of Track.
These are the two longest sections and also those with most ascent and descent. Payment is by cash, no pre-booking required.

Additional luggage can be stored for $5.00 during walk. Please bring to bus pick-up.

An option of full pack cartage exists (primarily for groups) on the 4 day walk. Please note the weight limit is for 15kg maximum packs. The fee includes a carbon credit donation to Hinewai Reserve, as well as storage in Akaroa. Must be booked in advance.

Food and Drink are best viewed through your chosen walk option page, following these links - four day - two day.

The Track is Self - catering, with the following supply options.

Drinks and Chocolate available at Flea Bay Cottage 

Trampers' shops en route at Stony Bay and Otanerito Beach are open to walkers whenever they arrive. They are well-stocked providing choice and quantity to cater for individuals or groups. Expect to pay prices roughly similar to a remote country dairy.

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.

Onuku Farm Trampers' Hut     Flea Bay Cottage     Stony Bay Cottages     Otanerito Beach House

All walkers have access to the four accommodations - two day walkers have their overnight stays at Onuku and Stony Bay.
Facilities - What's Provided
All accommodations have fully equipped kitchens. This includes stoves, fridges, pans, cutlery, crockery, cleaning materials, t-towels, tin openers...etc. You do not need to bring any kitchen items. There are also outdoor barbecues available.
All accommodations have comfortable beds, (with pillows and clean pillowcases), woodstove heating, and bathroom facilities with hot showers and flush toilets.

Essential.
Backpack. Boots. Clothing including adequate outdoor clothing for all weather. Personal necessities (toiletries, medicines), towel.
Cash for shop and pack cartage payments. Sleeping bag.
Sleeping bags can be hired for $30 per trip. Hire should be arranged in advance (preferably by e-mail).

Recommended.
Torch, light indoor footwear, water bottle, swimwear, daypack (if using pack cartage). Food and Drink - please see panel.

General. Please note - most of the Track is outside cell phone coverage.

Regular bus services are provided (up to 3 per day) from Christchurch to Akaroa (and return) by

Akaroa Shuttle            0800 500 929

French Connection       0800 800 575

Taxi bus services are provided at good rates by

Outer bays tours           027 489 7200 e-mail pchandler@xtra.co.nz

Akaroa Tours and Taxi        027 695 6981 Rosemary Lyon e-mail rosemary@akaroanz.co.nz

All the bus/taxi services drop you off within 50m of Akaroa Information Centre.

Akaroa is a scenic 85km drive from Christchurch on State Highway 75. Leave Christchurch at the south eastern corner of Hagley Park along Lincoln Road. Allow 90 mins for the journey.

Petrol and refreshments are available at Tai Tapu, Little River, and Duvauchelle along the way, and Little River Gallery and Barrys Bay Cheese factory are well worth a visit.

Free Car parking (also suitable for campervans) for track walkers is provided at Mt Vernon Lodge - allow an additional 30 mins to walk to the Information Centre for bus pick-up. The end of your track walk will take you past Mt Vernon as you arrive at Akaroa.

Christchurch has an international airport with direct flights to all the major Australian cities as well as many other international destinations. As the major South Island airport, it also has good connecting flights to almost all other NZ destinations.
Outer bays tours offer the tracks bus, or a van for smaller groups, to charter for groups arriving in Christchurch. Paul can pick you up from the airport or city mid afternoon and deliver you to Akaroa, and return you to Christchurch/airport upon finishing the track. The cost is competitive with any other transport operator and the service convenient as the same bus takes you and your gear out to the first hut that night.
It may be possible to consolidate your group with others. Please contact direct to arrange.
Paul Chandler e-mail pchandler@xtra.co.nz
Ph. (03) 304 7573. Cell ph. 027 489 7200.

The four day walk and two day walk information pages are available as print pages. They open in a separate tab/window. The topo map is a pdf.

Four day walk information

Two day walk information

Topo map of track route

E - mail        bankstrack@xtra.co.nz                        Website        www.bankstrack.co.nz

Phone         03 304 7612 - If you wish to speak to Mafi Gehrig, our office administrator, please leave message for call back.

Address       P.O.Box 54, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, NZ.

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