Adventure Itinerary
A place where the mountains meet the sea, you just know that Kaikōura is full of hidden pockets of adventure for you and your friends or family to enjoy. Kaikōura’s coastal waters are home to an array of marine mammals and birdlife and its mountains are teaming with hiking trails, bike tracks and unique spots to take in the incredible vistas. Kaikōura is the perfect destination for those wanting to combine their love of the outdoors with their adventurous spirit.
- Duration 2 Days
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Day 1
On your way in to Kaikōura stop in to Glenstrae Farm 4WD Adventures for the ride of your life. Travel through native bush and hill country farmland for the opportunity to see spectacular views of the rugged Kaikōura coastline, Haumuri Bluffs and NZ Fur Seals.
Once you arrive in Kaikōura, first thing you’ll want to do is fuel up for a busy afternoon ahead. Take this opportunity to sample some of New Zealand’s finest seafood delicacies, including crayfish which is what the town is named after. See our Top 5 Places to Eat Seafood here.
Hire an bike from Coastal Sports and explore the beauty of Kaikōura. Kaikōura is famous for the mountains to sea landscape, it creates great varied terrain in the area. Stick to the easier scenic route of along the esplanade out to Point Kean Seal Colony or if you’re wanting to push yourself a bit further, one of our favourite routes is The Kaikōura Trail. Loosely following the perimeter of the Kaikōura plains and skirting the Kowhai and Hapuku Rivers, the Kaikōura Trail features trails that are as diverse as the scenery.
Want to challenge yourself and your group? Test out one of The Emporium’s Escape Rooms. These are themed games in which players are 'locked' in a room and have a set time limit to find clues and solve a series of puzzles to enable them to escape or complete a mission.
Kaikōura hosts some of the most breath-taking sunsets in New Zealand, and there’s no better place to experience that than on the Pacific Ocean. Join Seal Kayak Kaikōura for one of their popular sunset tours. The first kayak tour of its kind keeps your hands free as you use your feet to pedal kayak around the peninsula. Spot Blue Penguins, Albatross and NZ Fur Seals whist you sit back and watch the last of the sun’s rays light up the sky as it disappears over the Kaikōura Mountain Ranges.
- Highlights 3
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Transport
Glenstrae Farm 4WD Adventures
Emporium Mini Golf & Escape Rooms
Seal Kayak Kaikōura
Day 2
Join Whale Watch Kaikōura to visit an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator, the Giant Sperm Whale, in their natural environment. These deep diving whales call Kaikōura’s waters home and are seen on whale watching ours all year round. Whilst out at the whale grounds, you’ll also have the chance to view other species of whales migrating through the area, such as Humpbacks, Orca and Blues, as well as dolphins, NZ Fur Seals and up to 75% of the world population of oceanic seabirds. Whilst on your tour, the guides give you an informative narration on Kaikōura’s marine life, local whaling history and other interesting stories unique to the Kaikōura area.
Head out on a fishing adventure with the team at Kaikoura Fishing Adventures and get to take home some delicious kaimoana (seafood).
Feel like going for a swim instead? Jump in the water with the Dolphin Encounter and see why Dusky dolphins are said to be the most acrobatic and interactive dolphins in the world! Dolphins are some of nature’s most extraordinary and captivating creatures. And they’re even more amazing close-up. Immerse yourself in their world for an unforgettable experience.
- Highlights 3
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Transport
Whale Watch Kaikōura
Dolphin Encounter