For a fantastic overnight opportunity, jump on the Akaroa Shuttle outside the Christchurch Visitor Centre that'll drop you at the Akaroa Visitor Centre where you'll be met by Shireen Helps at 12:30.

You'll be taken to their amazing property; home of Pohatu Penguin (pohatu.co.nz), and allowed to settle in to a rustic little cabin for your 24hr adventure. My cabin slept 3 and had electricity and shower. Grab something to heat in the cabin's microwave for dinner at the store next to the Akaroa Visitor

Centre.

If you're already in Akaroa, they'll come get you in the afternoon then take you back after dark.

Anyway, I was taken on a great nature tour via 4WD, then we hiked out to where the penguins are. I was SO happy to see Yellow-eyed and Little penguins -

hundreds of Little in Flea Bay and many up on land in little burrows. Shireen and Francis are SO knowledgeable about the penguins! Their land has the largest Little colony on mainland NZ and they are so successful at caring for them the colony is growing at a wonderful rate - sadly, something that can't be said for other colonies around NZ. Both these folks are so passionate about NZ, Akaroa, and the penguins - but not so ridiculously fanatic to prevent all photography (even without flash!) as other places. The next morning we went in search of penguins again.

Now, there is some hiking involved, but sure-footedness is more important than stamina. I'm terribly out of shape and I made it with minimal

slipping and sliding. There are 'paths', but you're in natural habitat, so don't expect a moving sidewalk. Wear good hiking boots or trainers/sneakers.

Do the overnight deal or even just go for the afternoon/evening – but my suggestion is do NOT miss the trip if you’re headed for NZ.

Reviewed about 15 years ago