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Just under two and a half hours north of Christchurch, you’ll find Kaikoura, which offers some of New Zealand’s most jaw dropping natural beauty. Situated amongst the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Kaikoura Mountain Range, this coastal gem of the South Island is teeming with marine life and is a must-see destination for anyone visiting this fantastic country.
Beyond wildlife, it is also culturally significant and was the site of intertribal conflicts. In the 1840s, Kaikoura was used by European shore whalers, which had a devastating effect on whale populations, as well as the traditional Maori relationship with the sea.
As with Christchurch, Kaikoura was badly hit by the 2016 earthquake, but they’ve managed to restore and rebuild much of the infrastructure.
How to get to Kaikoura
Kaikoura can be relatively easy to get to, even if you don’t drive a car. I visited Kaikoura as part of a two-week New Zealand itinerary, travelling by ferry from Wellington on the North Island to Picton, then taking an InterCity bus which took around two hours, along the stunning coastline.
You can, however, travel by train (Coastal Pacific), which offers a more relaxed vibe but is pricier. There is also car hire available throughout the country.
All these options are also available if you are travelling in the other direction from Christchurch, which is around two and a half hours’ drive away and has an international airport with plenty of links to the rest of the world.
Where to stay in Kaikoura
Kaikoura offers a wide range of options to suit all budgets. I chose to stay at The Lazy Shag, a basic but lovely hostel, run by very friendly staff. One thing to note is that they only accepted cash at the time of my stay.
There are plenty of other budget options, and the Kaikoura Seaside Lodge even includes an ocean view. Te Mahuru Retreat is more luxurious but still very budget friendly and it’s also worth mentioning the very high-end eco-luxury Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses.
Things to do in Kaikoura
Summary – things to do in Kaikoura
Day 1
- Whale watching
- Lunch at Why Not Cafe
- See the seal colony and driftwood teepee
- Dinner at Kaikoura Indian Restaurant
Day 2
- Get breakfast at Kaikoura Bakery
- Kayaking with dolphins
- Kaikoura Museum
- Stargazing
Day 1: Whale watching and finding Kaikoura’s famous seal colony
Morning: Whale watching in Kaikoura
It’s worth diving straight into what Kaikoura is famous for, its beautiful marine life. Whale Watch Kaikoura has been running tours since 1986.
It’s Maori-owned and runs ethical tours for $175 NZD. You may see sperm whales and a whole host of marine life.
When is the best time to go whale watching in Kaikōura?
The best time to see whales in Kaikoura is June to August (winter in New Zealand), as this is when migrating humpback whales pass through in addition to the local sperm whales. But sperm whales are present all year-round, making Kaikoura excellent for whale watching in all seasons.
Good place for lunch in Kaikoura: Why Not Cafe
Afternoon: Kaikoura seal colony and driftwood teepee at Point Kean
Kaikoura is home to a huge colony of seals. They can be found about an hour’s walk from the centre of Kaikoura and it’s a spectacular walk.
While admiring the glistening sea, you may catch dolphins jumping out of the water and with the backdrop of the mountains, it is truly magical.
There are also the remains of an old fireplace dating back to the 19th century as well as the town’s oldest building, Fyffe House. This was a whaling station set up during the European settlement of the town.
Once you reach the colony, there are plenty of seals to be seen. Be sure to keep your distance so as not to disturb them.
Some people got a bit too close and there are rope boundaries in some of the areas, so be sure to stick to the path. This beautiful walk leads you to a driftwood teepee, just beyond the colony.
The great thing about this activity is that it’s super accessible (there’s a car park right by the seals), with toilets. It’s also completely free.
One small disclaimer: the seals are quite smelly and sadly, you may see a few deceased ones along the way.
Evening dinner suggestion: Kaikoura Indian Restaurant has some fantastic vegetarian and vegan options.
Day 2: Kayaking with dolphins and Kaikoura Museum
Where to get breakfast in Kaikoura: Kaikoura Bakery has some fantastic pastries and things to take away for a picnic.
Morning: Start your day discovering more coastal beauty, kayaking through Kaikoura’s calm coastal waters. With the mountain range in the background, the views won’t disappoint.
Along the way, you may spot dolphins who are super friendly, blue penguins, albatross, and other marine wildlife unique to this rich ecosystem.
Seal Kayak Kaikoura is a great place to do this as they offer a unique hands-free experience using pedal kayaks. This allows you to pedal along while embracing the marine wildlife and taking plenty of pictures easily.
They are also committed to sustainability and protecting nature having taken the Tiaki Promise, which is a promise to care for nature in New Zealand, while protecting its rich cultural heritage.
Seal Kayak Kaikoura also has Pedro’s Coffee Kaikoura (formally, I Sea Gelato) next door and their gelato is amazing.
Afternoon: Kaikoura Museum and local Maori culture
Kaikoura Museum is a great place to discover Kaikoura’s history, along with learning about Maori culture. It’s a good option for something to do when it rains in Kaikoura.
There are plenty of fossils, including dinosaur remains, and traditional Maori carvings. It also contains fishing and whaling artefacts like whale teeth and footage from the famous 1978 UFO sightings. At just $12 NZD, it’s great value for money.
Other great things to see and do in Kaikoura
New Zealand is so clean and beautiful and it’s worth mentioning that after the sun goes down, the skies light up and the lack of light pollution makes it perfect for star gazing. There’s also plenty of hiking experiences, with Mt. Fyffe, Kaikoura Ranges and the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway nearby.
Moving on from Kaikoura
Kaikoura as a location is quite secluded, so as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, is better as part of a larger trip exploring New Zealand as a whole.
Christchurch, which is just a little further down the South Island offers picturesque English-style gardens, trams and a cable car. Wellington, which is on the North Island, has some great places to explore and plenty of opportunities for Lord of the Rings fans to discover some of the famous filming locations.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled New Zealand last year.
