Your Essential Guide to Kaikoura New Zealand

Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura is one of the most breathtaking locations of any town in New Zealand. Kaikoura is also home to an extraordinary abundance of marine life, including whales, dolphins, and seals.

Located on a rocky peninsula, Kaikoura has a population of approximately 3,200. Maori legend has it that Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself as he 'fished-up' the North Island. Translated into English, Kaikoura means 'meal of crayfish.'

In 1770, Captain Cook discovered the Kaikoura peninsula, believing it to be an island at first. In later years, a number of whaling stations were established in the area, causing whale numbers to steadily decline. All New Zealand whaling operations were stopped in 1964, and now the emphasis in Kaikoura is the conservation of its diverse marine life including whales.

Kaikoura is the perfect place to enjoy both the wonders of the magnificent Pacific Ocean and the tall, majestic mountains.

Situated approximately halfway between Picton (Ferry to the North Island leaves from here) and Christchurch (International Airport located here), Kaikoura is also a great location for a stop-over on a trip up or down the South Island's East Coast.

For more information about Kaikoura click here.

Where Whales Go, People Follow
Friday 23rd November

Press release: Te Papa

Te Papa and principal sponsor Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd present Whales Tohorä, a major new exhibition in the tradition of the successful Lord of the Rings exhibition. Interactive and immersive, Whales Tohorä is an experience that brings adults and children eye to eye with some of the world's most elusive creatures. After showing in Te Papa's TOWER Gallery until May 2008, Whales Tohorä will tour institutions in North America, opening in the National Geographic Museum's Explorers Hall in Washington, DC.

Featuring a massive 17.8 metre fully articulated sperm whale skeleton, Whales Tohorä showcases amazing and rare specimens from Te Papa's whale collection, one of the largest in the world. Visitors will see life-size and scale models of whales common to the South Pacific, including a beaked whale skull created by Weta Workshop and ancient and contemporary whalebone treasures such as weapons and chiefly adornments. The intricacies of whale biology and the bloody history of whaling in New Zealand are examined, and visitors also have a unique opportunity to encounter whales through video portholes and be transported into their underwater world via two large immersive projections.

Whales Tohorä will show in the TOWER Gallery from 1 December 2007 - 11 May 2008 and is proudly supported by principal sponsor Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd and the Department of Conservation. Te Papa acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Government in making this exhibition possible.

WHALES TOHORÄ
1 December - 11 May 2008
TOWER Gallery, Level 4
Te Papa
Admission: Adults, $8.00; Children (up to 14 years), free entry; Concession, $5.50

1Whale Watch Kaikoura

Join Whale Watch on an exciting exploration of the diverse marine wildlife of Kaikoura.

Each trip is unique and sightings will vary. Sightings of Giant Sperm Whales are the most common because they reside in the area all year round. Sperm Whales are the largest living carnivore-equivalent in size to four elephants! They share their unique underwater world with a host of other whale and dolphin species, New Zealand fur seals and the endangered Wandering Albatross, all regular sightings aboard Whale Watch tours.

Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin, the Orca, and is home to the world's smallest and rarest, the Hector's.

Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.

The Whale Watch catamarans are specially designed for whale-watching and are equipped with engines that minimise underwater noise. The main passenger cabin is enclosed with an air-conditioned interior and comfortable seating. Large plasma screens display award-winning marine wildlife animations while outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities.

Whales are a rare natural resource and Whale Watch is committed to carefully managing that resource while providing a quality whale watching experience. Whale Watch seeks to uphold two central values of excellence in hospitality and respect for the environment.

Daily tours leave at 7.15am, 10.00am and 12.45pm. An extra tour is scheduled at 3.30pm from November to March.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is also the principal sponsor of the exhibition Whales Tohorä, a major new interactive exhibition that brings adults and children eye to eye with some of the world's most amazing creatures. After showing in Te Papa's TOWER Gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, Whales Tohorä will tour institutions in North America, opening in the National Geographic Museum's Explorers Hall in Washington, DC. To find out more, click here.


2Kaikoura Winery

"Touch the hills, see the views, hear the sea, smell the air, taste the wine!"

Experience the scenic wonders of Kaikoura from the award-winning Kaikoura Winery. Relax, unwind, and breathe in the beauty of your surroundings with stunning ocean and mountain views.



There's something to suit every palate with gourmet platters, soup, cheese tasting and a full range of wines available.

To get the most out of your visit, take the opportunity to go on a guided vineyard & underground cellar tour including free wine tasting. Tours go on the hour from 10am until 4pm daily. Allow at least 45 minutes for your tour.

Kaikoura Winery is a zero waste company and is also the first vineyard in the world to attain the Green Globe benchmark.

Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm.


3Dolphin Encounter

A Dolphin Encounter Tour, including a complete guided commentary, provides dolphin swimming and watching options in Kaikoura's spectacular marine environment.

If you've always dreamt of swimming with wild dolphins then don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Dolphin Encounter is the pioneer company of dolphin swimming in New Zealand, offering you an amazing experience up close and personal with the dusky dolphins.

These playful, acrobatic dolphins can swim in pods or groups of up to 800! All snorkelling gear and wetsuits are provided. All you need to bring is a swimming costume and towel. Hot showers are provided on board too!

Dolphins are friendly and inquisitive creatures, but if you're not so keen on getting into the water with these amazing creatures then the cheaper 'watching' option will still be a terrific experience. Dolphin Encounter takes both swimmers and watchers together in the same boat so you will still get the opportunity to witness the interaction between the dolphins and swimmers

If you're lucky, you may even spot some other marine mammals such as orca, pilot whales, and New Zealand fur seals!

Your Dolphin Encounter tour will last for approximately 3-3.5 hours.

Tours operate three times per day (weather permitting), at 5.30am, 8.30am and 12.30pm from November to March and 6.30am, 9.30am, and 1.30pm from March to April.

From May to October, tours operate twice a day at 8.30am and 12.30pm.


4Maori Tours Kaikoura

Experience the unique culture, location and history of the Maori people.

Maori Tours Kaikoura offers you a great mix of fun and learning as well as the opportunity to gain a unique understanding of Maori values, history and future.

On a Maori tour, you will be able to intimately experience the Maori's special place and way of life leaving you with memories to treasure for a lifetime!

Get connected to people and places as part of a small and intimate group and enrich your soul as you journey through Moari history to discover cultural similarities.

Enjoy the warm Maori hospitality, with its own distinctive flavour, and stories that will leave you smiling, amazed and inspired!

You will tour by mini coach with a maximum of 10 guests at a time, visiting ancient sites of pre-European days, learning about Maori customs and protocol, exploring a Kaikoura bush walk, and learning some of the traditional indigenous uses of the trees and plants as food and medicine.

During the tour you will be served light refreshments and receive a small memento to help remember your Maori Cultural Experience.

Each half-day tour departs twice daily all year round at 9:00am and 1:30pm and lasts approximately 3.5 hours.


5Glenstrae Farm 4 Wheel Adventures

Take an exciting guided off-road tour through native bush, with spectacular views of the rugged Kaikoura coastline, Hamuri Bluffs and even seals!

You have the option of riding your own 4 wheeler bike or sitting back and enjoying a guided ATV tour in an 8 wheel Argo.

Each trip is approximately 2.5 hours and light refreshments are included. Trips leave daily at 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Click Here to download your FREE New Zealand Map.