We left Mount Cooke on March 16 for the four and a half hour drive to Akaroa which stands on Banks Peninsula about 80km from Christchurch. The peninsula was formed by two giant volcanic eruptions eight million years ago. Its full of lots of bays and the drive along what is known as the Summit Road is quite spectacular.

The area around Banks Peninsula is home to a rare species of dolphin, called Hector’s dolphin, found only around New Zealand and of course boat trips are available to spot these, penguins, whales and orcas.