Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, an island country in the south western Pacific Ocean.

Local tour operators offer a variety of day trips to view the local wildlife including whales, dolphins, seabirds and many other species of marine life by sea, air and by land.

Fishing tours, flightseeing and kayaking are also available to enjoy the natural beauty of this Peninsula.

At Kaikoura Farm Park, get up close and meet, cuddle, stroke and hand-feed 150+ free roaming Farm Yard animals including llamas, goats, deer, ducks, pigs, miniature ponies, alpacas and wallaby.

Book a half day tour for a real insight into Maori people and their way of life.

There are so many activities to choose from including 4 wheel motor biking, horse riding, llama trekking, guided walks, river rafting, scuba diving and snorkelling.

Take a tour to Maori Leap Cave, a sea-formed limestone cave which was discovered in 1958.

Children and their families will enjoy the Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium, which is focused on education, awareness, research and conservation of the local marine life in the Kaikoura region. Located on the New Wharf, there is so much to see including carpet sharks, seahorses, octopus, crayfish, sea urchins and two touch tanks.

Built on whale bones, Fyffe House is the town's oldest surviving building and linked to Kaikoura's whaling past.

At Kaikoura District Museum and Archives, learn about the history of the district which includes Maori artefacts, whaling, fishing, farming, social history, marine fossils and photographs.

The town is home to numerous artists and craftspeople, all of whom creatively incorporate local flavour into their designs. Local products can be seen in several galleries in and around the town, including gold gilding, pottery, paintings and prints, jewellery, wood turning, knitted garments and much more, or join the Art Trail starting at the Visitors Centre and see for yourself the artists at work in their own environment.

Enjoy fresh, tasty seafood dishes in Kaikoura. Local specialities include grouper, cod, mussels, paua (abalone) and crayfish (lobster). Other delights such as oysters, scallops and whitebait are available in season.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers to one of two jetty landings in Kaikoura Bay.

The centre of Kaikoura is not far, a local shuttle bus is usually in operation.

The i-SITE Visitor Centre is situated in the town centre, at the far end of the town car park.