Banks Peninsula - Banks Peninsula visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Banks Peninsula' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Canterbury.

Within the heart of Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand, ancient volcanoes have been eroded into the dramatic and evocative Banks Peninsula. This crenelated land has deep coves with a long history of Māori habitation. First spotted by Europeans in 1769 when the Endeavour, captained by Cook, sailed past, the Banks Peninsula is now popular with travelers who flock to the small seaside towns and explore the hills. The Banks Peninsula is named after Joseph Banks, the botanist of the Endeavour.

The Banks Peninsula is easily accessible from Christchurch, and has plenty to offer visitors. The two main ways of traveling onto the Banks Peninsula is either via the main road over the top which ends up at Akaroa, or through a tunnel to the historic port of Lyttleton.

Road: Take the 75 south from Christchurch towards Akaroa, or the 74 from Christchurch to Lyttleton.