Akaroa, New Zealand

Akaroa was a tender port for us. Tendering took about 25 minutes to the wharf from where we anchored.

This is the tour I was anticipating the most. My dad was a rural mail carrier, so when I saw the Akaroa Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run Tour, I booked immediately through Akaroaadventurecenter@ gmail.com.

Independent tour operators were available right along the pier, including this gentleman who would take you around town in his classic car. But I was very happy that I secured a spot with the Mail Run. He was fully booked a year in advance.

Mail delivery is contracted privately in New Zealand. We rode along as Jeff, our “postie,” delivered the mail to about 150 homes for all along the Banks Peninsula.

Jeff delivers the mail six days per week and can carry up to ten passengers in his mini-bus to ride along. Our first stop was a scenic overlook. Our ship is anchored in the bay. One stop was at Pigeon Bay Community Center. Sometimes the church meets in the community center, but evidently the location was moved back to the church building.

Jeff had a key to the community center where a bank of several mailboxes is located. This gave us a chance to stretch our legs, use the restroom, and look around a bit. The community center has a cantilevered floor designed to make dancing more fun.

I’m sure every mail carrier has to watch out for guard dogs. But what about a guard sheep?

Our second stop was at St. John’s Anglican Church where Jeff provided, afternoon Tea which included tea, coffee, biscuits (which are cookies to someone from Tennessee), crackers, cheese, and homemade spreads were spread out for us to enjoy as we toured the architecture and grounds. Worship services are offered here once per month. Jeff explained that there is a circuit preacher who conducts services at different buildings and various communities throughout the area.

Hills and valleys, overlooks and bay views. The scenery was stunning as we wound up and down from hilltop to valley delivering the mail.

Our third stop for stretching our legs was in the Okains Bay community – The store that serves as the post office for the area, and it sits directly across from a school. The local church, which supposedly has Maori artwork painted inside, is just down the road; however, the church building was damaged in a storm and no one is allowed to go inside at this time.

We also stopped at the beautiful Lebons Bay beach. I understand that folks enjoy coming here to swim in the summer.Many residents all along the route have unique mailboxes. One was even made from an old microwave. Notice that it is even plugged into the post. Jeff pushed the button to open the door and slipped the mail inside.

As long as the “mailbox” can be easily opened and is at a comfortable height, it is fine. Some of my other favorites were a converted keg, a tree stump with a box on top, and a small stone house containing boxes for several in the rural community.

When we returned to Akaroa, we spent some time walking around the town.