The Banks Peninsula (Akaroa) Track is a slightly different kind of track. It does not traverse a National Park but it's a private operation on farm land. As such it is a little more expensive but also more luxurious regarding the estabilished huts. You can either book a 2 (/2 nights) or 4/4 day variant depending how lazy or fit you are.

The Banks Track is a loop track which covers the coastal landscape of the south-western portion of the peninsula. You start in the lovely Akaroa Inlet and follow the pretty dramatic (can apparently scottish looking) coastline in east-northern direction. Seals and several kinds of sea birds inhabit the area ... and naturally also lots of sheep. A real highlight is not only the local nature but also the huts in Stony Bay. Seems as if the owner was somehow inspired by some fairy tales or may Friedensreich Hundertwasser - pretty cool stuff here. On the final day you cross some of the remaining coastal forest on the way back to Akaroa town.

The trail is very easy with only the typical ups and downs of a coastal track. You need to climb 450m on the final day but this is not exactly Mt. Everest here so it's really a track for everybody. A few extra supplies as well as drinks/beverages are available at some huts but you need to carry some food.