-	Banks Peninsula

Banks Peninsula is in the Canterbury region on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, mostly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, and adjacent to the largest city in the South Island, Christchurch. The peninsula has a land area of approximately 1,000 square kilometres, it is comprised of the eroded remnants of two large volcanoes, the two dominant craters formed Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. The portion of crater rim lying between Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch city forms the Port Hills.

Massive native podocarp forest once covered most of the peninsula, Maori and European Settlers managed to clear all but two percent of the forest cover, which is all that remains. Today local residents and conservation groups are actively re-planting many areas on the peninsula in native plants, also there is a lot of European fruit trees that were introduced by the original Settlers. Tourism, dairy, sheep and mussel farming are the main industry on the peninsula today.

Much of the Banks Peninsula is surrounded by a large marine sanctuary, mainly restricting net fishing, with the aim to protect the Hector's dolphin, the smallest species of dolphin also the closest to extinction. There are many opportunities to see the playful dolphin's in their natural habitat around the peninsula. Pohatu Marine Reserve in Pohatu-Flea Bay, is home to the largest little Penguin colony on the Mainland, the White-flippered Penguin Colony. Penguin Tours give you the chance to see the penguins without disturbing them and kayaking allows you to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the Banks Peninsula in a very special way.

Being an extinct volcanoes, this make's the Bank's Peninsula an interesting landform to explore, the rugged coastline is as spectacular as the many and varied bay's, there are a number or scenic drive's to recommend, the Summit Road being just one, and the quality of the road's also vary from normal two lane touring road's to the many narrower sometime's unsealed one's which allow the more adventurous to explore the volcano’s and their crater's and the more remote reaches of the coastline. Exploring any of the outer bay's is an opportunity unique to in Canterbury, you can descend from almost alpine summit's through some of New Zealand's oldest farming communities down to warm sheltered bays with old farmhouse's nestled among trees and beaches‘, perfect for swimming. Surfing, fishing and walking.

Akaroa is set on a beautiful, sheltered harbour and overlooked by craggy volcanic hills, Akaroa is a popular resort town. In 1840, Akaroa was settled by Frenchmen. Akaroa still has a French influence, reflected in many local place name’s. Hector's Dolphins frequent the harbour, and "swim with the dolphins" boat tours are a major tourist attraction. Little River was once a thriving saw milling town, now a picturesque rural village with an historic railway station, museum, craft shop and visitor centre, it is a nice place to visit on your way to Akaroa. Lyttelton is also a harbour town on the Banks peninsula, find out more about these three towns on the links on the left-hand toolbar. Closest to Lyttelton Harbour are the Peninsula’s two largest outer bays, Pigeon Bay and Port Levy. Pigeon Bay, with several interesting historic buildings as well as the good swimming and opportunities for coastal sightseeing is also a must see on your Banks Peninsula adventure.

There are numerous exciting accommodation possibilities in this region. Travelling by camper van or motor home is also a very good way to see this area, staying at camping grounds or holiday parks.