Kaikōura
There are few places on earth like Kaikōura, a small coastal village that has breath taking views that will stop you in your tracks. The towering snow-clad mountains known as the Seaward Kaikōura’s provide a stunning backdrop over the town centre which extends out to the Kaikōura Peninsula, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in.
These mountains rise to heights are 2600m and the undersea canyon plunges to depths of over 1200m very close to shore, these two factors alone make Kaikōura incredibly unique. There are not many places where you can be on top of a snow-capped mountain in the morning, whale watching or dolphin / seal swimming in the afternoon and then taking in a gorgeous sunset while feasting upon fresh seafood from the very ocean you are sitting beside.
This place captivates all who visit, you can’t help but be in awe of nature’s wonders both on land and out sea.
Kaikōura is located on the East Coast of the South Island between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Picton. Ōtautahi Christchurch is 2.5 hours’ drive to the south of Kaikōura and Picton is 2hrs to the north. Whether you are self-driving, taking the Coastal Pacific train or travelling on a bus between destinations, a stop off in Kaikōura will not disappoint.
Download visitor map HERE