Destination Kaikōura

Coastal and captivating, put Kaikōura on your travel to-do list this season, taking this ABC activity guide along for the ride.

A: Admire the sunrise

Challenge yourself to skip the snooze button and wake up early for a sunrise date. Lace up and journey to a gorgeous lookout, the Kaikōura Lookout, or Mt Fyffe if you are up for the steps. Soak in the glistening, expansive views, before heading back to the village for a coffee and breakfast to refuel.

B: Bike the Kaikōura Cycle Trail

A beloved 48 kilometre track, this trail is enjoyed by beginner riders to the more advanced. Ride amongst native bush tracks and quiet country roads throughout an approximately four-hour-long journey, or choose a smaller section. Climbing around the Kaikōura countryside offers gorgeous glimpses of the ocean and peninsula – a beautiful, changing landscape. Start the loop by heading seaside out of the township towards the foothills of the Kaikōura ranges, and follow the Kōwhai River to South Bay.

C: Catch sight of a critter

Seals, dolphins, whales, rare birds – Kaikōura is home to a hoard of wonderful wildlife. Some, however, can prove rather hard to spot. Ahead of your trek north, curate a list of the animals you would love to see. For something extra, allocate each animal to a person in your travelling party – each creature ticked off might be your morning coffee bill paid or next activity picked.