June brings a different kind of magic to Akaroa and the Bays. Crisp mornings, quiet roads, smoky chimneys, and the harbour shining under winter skies create the perfect setting for a relaxing long weekend escape. Winter is a beautiful time to explore our corner of Banks Peninsula, with cosy cafés, local shops, scenic walks, fresh sea air, and warm fires waiting after a day out discovering the bays.
Choose Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park
A laid-back base where comfort meets classic Kiwi adventure. Whether you’re rolling in with a caravan, pitching a tent under the stars, or settling into a cosy cabin, it’s an easygoing spot that lets you slow down and soak up the peninsula at your own pace.
Winter Promotion – Stay 2 nights get the 3rd for FREE!
This applies to stays that are 3 consecutive nights only pay for 2. Cabins and campsites only. Valid 18 May – 24 September 2026
Little River Market
Although closed for the winter, The Little River Market is set to open especially for the King’s Birthday long weekend, bringing a lively burst of colour and creativity to the heart of the Banks Peninsula. Visitors can wander through a relaxed mix of artisan stalls, local crafts, fresh produce, and handmade treasures, all set against the backdrop of Little River’s easygoing rural charm
Sunday 31st May 9.30am-2.30pm
Social Animal
Whale Tale
Winter on the harbour brings the possibility of an unforgettable encounter, with humpback whales occasionally passing through the waters off Akaroa during their long migration journeys. While sightings are rare and never guaranteed, there’s always a quiet sense of anticipation aboard local harbour cruises and nature tours, where every ripple on the horizon suddenly feels worth watching. These ocean giants can surface without warning, sending plumes of mist into the crisp sea air and turning an ordinary boat trip into the kind of story retold for years afterwards. Join one of our tours.
Akaroa Waterfront Motels
Nestled right on the edge of the harbour. Wake to the gentle shimmer of the bay, watch boats drift across the water from your balcony, and enjoy the kind of peaceful atmosphere that makes it easy to slip into holiday mode within minutes of arriving.
Check out these awesome deals;
Pamper package
Relax and refresh with 1 nights accomoodation for 2 people, 2 x 30 minute massages and 1 spa pool session – AND a late checkout.
Save the date
School Holidays – Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July
Matariki public holiday – Friday 10th July
Inside Out House and Garden Tour – 21 and 22 November
Run Akaroa 2027 – 16 May 2027
Contribute to the community
Okains Bay
Tucked between steep green hills and the Pacific Ocean, Okains Bay feels wonderfully untouched, with its sweeping sandy beach stretching wide enough to make the world seem quieter for a while. It’s a place for slow walks, driftwood discoveries, and watching waves roll endlessly onto shore.
History sits close by at the renowned Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum, where stories of the peninsula’s past are carefully preserved among remarkable collections and heritage buildings.
Adding a little extra magic this season, baby seals have been spotted playing in the stream near the reserve, delighting visitors lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these curious coastal locals splashing about like tiny grey torpedoes.