Melnq8,
I see in some earlier posts that you have been to Pohatu to see the penguins.
I am still deciding what I want to do with my short time from Christchurch and I am looking at going to Akaroa, taking a 2-hr cruise to see dolphins, and then the pickup to go on the Pohatu penguin tour with overnight in Akaroa or going to stay overnight at Pohatu in late January.
Which did you do and what can you tell me about the experience?
I saw a few good reviews on rankers.co.nz, but one said it was rushed.
I am hesitant about the overnight stay mainly because I would be on my own and might not take advantage of much wandering or sea kayaking solo, so might find more to do solo in Akaroa.

I went on the Elm WIldlife trip out of Dunedin a few years ago and that was great.

BTW, I have my overnight booked on Kapiti Island, so I hope to see kiwi on the night tour there.

Hi Kay -

Here's an excerpt from the trip report which covers our time in Akaroa (2003 prices). We stayed in an 1850’s cottage on the seafront in Duvauchelle, located 10 km from Akaroa

>We woke to a beautiful day. We drove to Akaroa, stopping at the Visitor’s Center to book a 1:30 pm harbor cruise on the Canterbury Cat ($39 each) and a 3:45 pm tour of the Pohatu Penguin Reserve ($40 each).

We spent the morning exploring Akaroa, taking photos of the gorgeous harbor, and walking to the lighthouse. We checked our e-mail at Bon-E-Mail (coin operated, high speed- $2 for 20 minutes) then had lunch at Dooberry’s (salmon and cream cheese bagel, assortment of bread with dips, drinks - $29.50). We then headed to the wharf and boarded the catamaran for our cruise. During the cruise we saw Hector’s dolphins, white flippered penguins and lots of Japanese tourists. The weather gods were smiling so it was a perfect day for a harbor cruise.

At 3:45 we were met at the tourist office by our tour guide Shireen Helps, and three Kiwis from the North Island who were also on the tour. We were taken by 4WD onto the Pohatu Marine Reserve. We stopped for photos along the way, and also stopped to feed two lambs that had been born that morning. We were shown the penguin huts that Shireen had built in an attempt to encourage penguins to nest. She lifted the tops of the huts and we were able to view the tiny penguins close-up. We then hid behind some bushes and patiently waited for other penguins to come ashore.

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, and learned a lot about the plight of the little blue penguin and the white flippered penguin.

After the tour we returned to Akaroa, where we dined at L’Hotel (good chili stir fried beef over penne pasta, Guinness on tap (!). Dinner and drinks for two - $45.50. We then returned to our cottage which quite possibly had the coldest bathroom floor in Duvauchelle.

Next day:

We woke to overcast skies and gale force winds, so we spent the morning in our cottage doing laundry and reading. We then visited Barry’s Bay Cheese and the French Farm Winery, where we sampled the Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, 2001 Chardonnay (bought a bottle) and a tasty orange liqueur made from chardonnay grapes and fortified with spirits. The French Farm Winery charges $1 per taste, but the charge is waived if you purchase a bottle of wine.

After a very good lunch at Hotel Duvauchelle (good ham and cheese omelet, excellent Thai pumpkin soup – lunch for two with drinks - $32), we drove towards Akaroa. We took the road to the Pohatu Marine Reserve to get more photos, and then drove to Okain’s Bay Beach Reserve.

Late that afternoon we walked from our cottage to Onawe Peninsula, site of an early Maori tribal massacre. This was an excellent walk along a thin section of land protruding into the bay. The 1.5 hour (return) walk became quite steep towards the top, but we were rewarded with incredible views.

That evening we dined on a Barry’s Bay cheese sampler, washed down with a nice 2001 Chardonnay from French Farm Winery.>

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info.
I've been in contact with Ms. Helps and their tours have changed a little since then.
There is an afternoon trip and an evening trip (as well as the overnight).
She says in mid-late January there are just as likely to be penguins ashore in the afternoon as evening and not so many arriving at dusk so either trip is OK.
That is different than the trip I took from Dunedin. Although I don't remember the afternoon timing, it was definitely timed to await the penguins coming ashore and they did come almost in a group.

Kay -

I haven't done the penguin tour in Dunedin, so I can't compare the two. I really enjoyed the Pohatu tour though. The groups are kept small (only four in ours) and its a labor of love for Shireen, not a large commercial operation (unless it's changed). Banks Peninsula itself is really pretty and unique. I can't remember how many penguins we saw, but you're going at a much better time (we took the tour in Sept).

For the evening tour do you stay at their property?

The evening tour is pickup at 6:30 and return around 9:30pm to Akaroa.
The afternoon tour is pickup 12:30 and return 5:30pm or else stay overnight on the property and return the next day at 12:30pm. They offer basic, possibly shared self-catered accommodations.

My trip from Dunedin was also in January and we had great luck (in my opinion)--I don't remember numbers either, but at least one dozen penguins coming ashore, each heading to its nest. We first went down on the beach to see some between the rocks, then as more came ashore we climbed back up to the blinds and waited as the ones climbed the hills into their nests.

Group of up to 12, I think, with relatively close access so long as we followed the rules. It involves a moderate hike across fields and beach, so a nice time out as well.

I'm thinking the whole peninsula sounds like the place for me, maybe with a dolphin watch trip too. Digging through the cheaper places to stay in town.

Are you looking for a hostel? If so, there are several options in Akaroa:

http://www.bon-accord.co.nz/

http://www.chezlamer.co.nz/

http://halfmoon.x10hosting.com/

http://www.doubledutch.co.nz/

http://www.onukufarm.com/

I've changed my plans around a bit--Mt Cook on my own, then after my meeting a friend of mine from Spain is going to accompany me to Akaroa for an overnight.

We plan to take Akaroa Shuttle (have already emailed to make arrangements) from Christchurch, settle into a hotel (yet to be decided), perhaps a harbor cruise if weather is cooperating or wander off from the town, then go on the evening penguin tour. Ms. Helps says we could take the afternoon or evening tour that day and even offered to hold us places on either tour until 11am that day.

My understanding from looking at the maps is that Akaroa is small, so it doesn't really matter where we stay? Drop off/pick up is at the i-Site, but the hotels there don't get good reviews.

I might choose a 2-bedroom unit for my friend and I. There are a group of properties across from the harbor managed by Akaroa Village Inn and Bruce Apartments managed by Tresori Lodge, many of which offer views or the Tresori itself.
At the other end of town is the La Rochelle.
I'm also tempted by the La Belle Villa B&B. It's the sort of place I would stay on my own, but might opt for the 2-bedroom apartment with my friend.
It's nice to have so many choices priced $145-$240 for 2 bedrooms

BTW--the other shuttle operator told me that because of low tourism numbers they are not running the additional summer shuttles they normally schedule between Christchurch and Akaroa for the summer.

We really enjoyed our overnight in Akaroa. We took the airport bus to the city, walked less than one block, and boarded the Akaroa Shuttle. We stopped a couple of times for photos before getting dropped off 1-2 blocks from the Tresori motel where our 2-bedroom unit was available.

We caught the Dolphin Harbor smaller boat tour and it was great. We saw many dolphins, fur seals, etc. The weather was good. We enjoyed the small town. We took the evening tour to Pohatu, stopping again for photos, then through the fog/low clouds to the farm. They were hand feeding two penguins who were left by their parents too soon. Saw molting penguins in the boxes. We saw a dozen or so penguins come ashore and others swimming. All little blues, no yellow-eyed, though we could hear them on the water. So, fewer penguins and not as close as down south except for the ones in the boxes.

On the way back, the bus developed a whining noise the driver said he could not control, so he pulled into the bus yard in Christchurch and switched everyone to another bus to continue to Cathedral Square, but we asked him to call us a taxi to the airport rather than get on another bus. It worked out OK.

Thanks for reporting back Kay2.