Whales, seals and coastal views.
Kaikoura is about 2.5 hours north of Christchurch on the east coast, famous for whale watching, seals and crayfish. Two or three days covers Hanmer Springs, Cheviot and the Kaikoura coast.
🚐 About 2.5 hours (around 180 km)
Drive north via Waipara and Cheviot. Stop at the Ohau Stream seal colony and walk the Peninsula. Waipara has wineries. Ohau Stream has seals.
A park near the town.
A park close to the beach.
🚐 Short drives and walking
Take a whale watch or swim with dolphins. Eat crayfish in town. Whale watching is weather dependent. Crayfish is local.
Stay a second night.
A park close to the beach.
🚐 About 2.5 hours (around 180 km)
Return via Waipara. Stop at a winery or Hanmer Springs. Return via the coast. Gore Bay has cliffs.
Near the city.
A park near the airport.
Campsite rules, fees and availability change. Check the park or operator website before you go.
Thermal pools and forest walks in the mountains.
Read the itinerary