Adventure Magazine

Banks Track
Akaroa
New Zealand
BANKS
TRACK,
Akaroa
Where in the world could an adventuring hiker traverse the
rim of an ancient volcanic complex, with sweeping panoramas
out across open ocean and inwards up an 8 mile volcanic
harbour? Where could you spend the night inside a private
white-flippered penguin sanctuary, see the world’s smallest
dolphins with their rounded fins, watch fur seals in numbers
and spot many rare land and marine birds? Where could you
hear a dawn chorus, such a cacophony that you will never
forget it? And walk through the famous “Fools and Dreamers”
Hinewai Reserve, 1500 hectares of native forest, with its
ancient beech, tree ferns, fuchsia and rapidly regenerating
native flora and fauna? All this and more on the Banks Track!
This unique, extinct, highly eroded, volcanic complex
forming Banks Peninsula, is situated east of Christchurch
on New Zealand’s South Island, providing the remarkably
varied landscape of the Banks Track. It starts by winding up
through open farmland at the far south-eastern end, boasting
widespread views from Ōnuku along the inner harbour and
out over 'the heads'. Walkers climb up over the crater rim at
Trig GG (699m,) with its 360 degree panorama, from which
you can see Aoraki / Mt Cook, 230km away, on a clear
day! The Track descends one of the outer valleys, through
Tutakākāhikura Scenic Reserve (full of ancient red beech
trees), following the stream where rock formations have
created multiple waterfalls, down into Flea Bay, the home of
the Pōhatu Penguin Reserve. From here the Track follows the
outer ocean coastline, along spectacular cliff tops, dropping
down past Seal Cove and alongside the Sooty Shearwater
Reserve, then on into Stony Bay. On the final day, the Track
turns and heads inland following another outer valley up
through Hinewai with its verdant, regenerating and ancient
native forest, crossing back over the crater rim. From here
there are stunning views south and east across the vast
Pacific and westward to sheltered Akaroa harbour. Beyond
are the Southern Alps and Kaikoura mountains.
3 spectacular days and 3 magical nights
Hike the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula
Enjoy panoramas from the crater rim and along coastal
cliff tops. Walk through lush native forest with tree ferns,
waterfalls and abundant bird life. Stay in secluded bays and
gaze into our magnificent night skies. This walk Is self guided
and self catered, but we carry your bags. NZD 390 pp
bankstrack.co.nz
Volcanic activity, between 11 and 6 million years ago, led
to the formation of two overlapping volcanic cones. When
eruptions ceased, the cones were gradually eroded to about
half their original height flooding a major south facing valley.
Walkers can be reassured that there is no known magma
chamber beneath the volcano and there has not been any
sign of volcanic activity in the last 5 million years!
In 1989, a few neighbouring Banks Peninsula farming
families, together with the newly founded Hinewai Native
Forest Reserve, set out to rescue their livelihoods in the face
of a farming downturn and established New Zealand’s first
private walking track. 33 years on, through their intensive
conservation efforts, they have rescued much more than
themselves! All the Banks Track landowners are passionate
about conservation and consequently, following years of
forest regeneration, dedicated trapping of predators and
(ongoing!) hard work, this track offers a feast of Kiwi native
flora and fauna.
Ōnuku where walkers arrive for their first night’s
accommodation, is still maintained as farmland by Tristan
Hamilton (a professional trapper) and boasts wonderful views
in all directions. The iconic New Zealandtui were re-released
on the Peninsula in 2009,having become almost extinct here.