Wainui
Getting here
Drive Christchurch to Wainui – Approx. 1 hr 30 mins
Leave Christchurch on SH75 (Halswell Road) and head south toward Akaroa. Pass through Tai Tapu, Motukarara and Little River.
Stay on SH75 to the hilltop and then continue to the bottom of the hill. Turn left at the bottom of the hill towards French Farm and Wainuni. Follow the road through French Farm until you reach Wainui.
Drive Akaroa to Waiuni – Approx. 25–30 mins
Leave Akaroa via Rue Lavaud / SH75, heading back toward Christchurch. Just before you start the hill at Barrys Bay, turn left and follow the road all the way to Wainui.
History
Wainui, meaning “big water” in te reo Māori, reflects the sheltered harbour and abundant coastal resources that have long shaped life in the area.
Wainui was an important Māori settlement on Banks Peninsula, valued for its rich food sources, including fish, shellfish, and fertile land for cultivation. The harbour provided safe access for waka and strong connections to nearby settlements around Akaroa Harbour.
European settlement began in the mid-1800s, with Wainui becoming a farming and fishing community. Its sheltered position made it suitable for small-scale agriculture, dairying, and maritime activity. Early European settlers relied heavily on the land and sea, much like the Māori communities before them.
In more recent decades, Wainui has become known as the home of Akaroa Salmon, one of the region’s distinctive aquaculture operations. The presence of the salmon farm reflects the ongoing relationship between the community and the harbour, balancing economic activity with environmental stewardship.
The boat ramp at Wainui has become an important piece of local infrastructure, supporting fishing, boating, and recreational access to Akaroa Harbour. It plays a key role during the warmer months, when the area experiences a significant increase in population as holidaymakers, bach owners, and visitors arrive to enjoy the harbour and surrounding bays.
A YMCA camp has been running since the late 1920’s, and it offers school camps, youth development programs and outdoor education experiences.
Activities
Essential Services
Water Activities
Wainui is an excellent place for all water activities, from swimming to kyaking to diving. The boat ramp does become very busy in summer, but there is plenty of room for everyone.
Buy Fresh Salmon
Akaroa Salmon is a distinctive part of Wainui and Akaroa Harbour life, with salmon raised in the cold, clear waters of the harbour. One of the highlights for visitors is the chance to buy fresh salmon directly from the Akaroa wharf, often within hours of harvest.
Walk beside the river
A short and easy walk is the one beside Wainui Stream, this isn’t a signposted tracks, but it’s valued for casual walking, birdwatching, and picnics.
Photo Walk
A photo walk around the harbour rewards those who take their time. White-faced heron often stand motionless at the water’s edge, while kingfishers flash blue between posts and pōhutukawa. Keep an eye on the harbour too. On a lucky day you might spot Hector’s dolphins slicing through the calm, and on very rare occasions even orca pass quietly through, turning an ordinary walk into something unforgettable.
Shamarra Alpacas
Shamarra Alpacas offers a gentle rural experience just 5 minutes from Wainui, where visitors can meet alpacas up close in a peaceful farm setting. Known for their calm nature and curious personalities, the alpacas make a relaxed and memorable stop, especially for families, and add another layer to the charm of the Akaroa and bays landscape.
Getting Help
- Police – Phone 111 if happening now or 105 for non-urgent.
- Akaroa Health Centre 03 304 7004.For all emergencies, phone 111.
Nearest Petrol
- Duvauchelle (card only) or
- Akaroa NPD
