Akaroa Head Scenic Reserve walk
Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region
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Introduction
Easily accessed from Akaroa with a 4WD, this short walk includes the relics of a rich history, dramatic views and stunning wildlife.1 km return via same track
Dog access
Image gallery
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Akaroa head Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Akaroa head.]( "Akaroa head.")
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Old supply road in Little Haylocks Bay, Akaroa Head Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Old supply road in Little Haylocks Bay, Akaroa Head.]( "Old supply road in Little Haylocks Bay, Akaroa Head.")
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Stone culvert Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Stone culvert.]( "Stone culvert.")
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Concrete horse trough Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Concrete horse trough.]( "Concrete horse trough.")
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Descending the iron ladder Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Descending the iron ladder]( "Descending the iron ladder")
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Rock shelf at the base of the ladder Image: Michael Smeaton | DOC
![Rock shelf at the base of the ladder]( "Rock shelf at the base of the ladder")
Lighthouse Road is not suitable for campervans. The road is narrow with few opportunities to safely turn around. The road changes to gravel at Wright Lookout on the Akaroa side of the hill and can be slippery in wet or icy conditions. Only 4WD vehicles should proceed past this point.
Stop at the small carparking area on the left of Lighthouse Road, 4km from the top of the hill. Do not drive past this point.
From the carpark follow the road down past the foundations of the lighthouse keeper’s house and other buildings, to the site of the old lighthouse. Here there are fantastic views of towering cliffs along the coastline and towards the mouth of the Akaroa Harbour.
From the lighthouse view point, follow the old supply road down. It then passes a horse water trough and an original stone culvert. The road ends at a vertical iron ladder descending to a rock shelf in Little Haylocks Bay. The bay is within the Akaroa Marine Reserve and is home to a variety of wildlife including fur seals/kekeno seals which haul out on the rock platforms, white-flippered penguins/kororā and a number of seabirds.
This reserve overlooks the Akaroa Marine Reserve in the Akaroa Harbour.
The headland is very exposed to the weather. Be prepared for extremes of heat, wind and cold. Precipitous cliffs, steep unfenced drops and access to deep water means that children should be closely supervised at all times. It is recommended that children do not descend the ladder.
From Akaroa, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road. This is 11 km of steep, narrow rough road, suitable for four wheel drive vehicles.
- The headland is very exposed to the weather. Be prepared for extremes of heat, wind and cold.
- Keep your children safe by closely supervising them at all times. This is because of the high cliffs, steep unfenced drops and access to deep water. We recommend not taking children down ladder.
Fur seals/kekeno are seen in the bay, with local colonies of white-fronted terns/tara, black-backed gulls/karoro and white-flippered penguins/kororā.
The original Akaroa lighthouse was replaced in 1977 by an automated light, and in 1980 the lighthouse was relocated to Akaroa.
Contacts
| Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 318 9211 |
| arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 104 West Coast Road Arthur's Pass 7654 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |