Activities & Adventure

4WD

There are many coastal, river bed or mountain tracks in the area and a very active 4x4 group. Kaikoura Mountain Safaris is a professionally run 4 x 4 tour company with years of experience exploring Kaikoura's stunning backcountry.

Aero Club

Take a Whale Watching flight , or try your hand at Pilot a Plane with Kaikoura Aero Club .

Archery

There is a new indoor archery range that has been set up at Fyffe View Adventure Park in Chapmans Rd. Fully supervised all weather fun.

Art & Craft Galleries

Visit local artists that are recognised throughout  New Zealand and internationally for their high standard of creativity and design. More on Kaikoura's Art Scene...

Bird Watching

A large variety of bird life can be found around Kaikoura, some species of which are very rare. Bird life can be viewed during a casual walk along the shore or in the surrounding countryside. Guided trips are also available to view the more inaccessible ocean, land & lake birds.

Caves

Formed many thousands of years ago by the sea, one cave has some fine examples of the rare straw stalactites. Ask at the Caves Restaurant, State Highway 1 just 5 minutes South of Kaikoura.

Canoeing & Sea Kayaking

The bays around the peninsula offer many interesting places to explore. You can’t get closer to the marine life of Kaikoura’s coastline than hiring a kayak yourself, or enjoying a guided tour around the Kaikoura Peninsula with Kaikoura Kayaks.

Chef for 1 Day... Hapuku Kitchen

Join Kaikoura's own Masterchef entrant Fiona Read at Hapuku Kitchen to partake in the cooking experience of a lifetime. Fiona's newly renovated kitchen is perfect for groups and individuals who would like to experience fine preparation, cooking and dining, then enjoy the fruits of their labour with an evening meal that they have prepared themselves.

Dance Studio

At Soul Studio, check out street art, hip hop, samba and more with Piera and Sebastion at Passione Dance studio in the Westend. Great sounds, wine and authentic Italian Pizza!

Diving    

Snorkel with Kaikoura Snorkelling Tours , and catch your own lunch! Or Scuba Dive the picturesque waters of Kaikoura's coastline or Peninsula. Dive sites vary from shallow waters to  over 30 metres with crayfish and many species of fish everywhere. Guided dives, tuition and gear hire available from Dive Kaikoura.

Dolphin Swimming

Dolphin swimming trips allow you to see and swim with the playful wild Dusky Dolphins in the natural state of their own environment. A truly awesome and emotional experience. Dolphin Encounter are the most experienced dolphin tour operators in New Zealand. You will not be disappointed in this tour!

Farm Tours

Spend time on a farm and see sheep dogs in action, sheep shearing & wool handling demonstrations at The Point Sheep Shearing , cattle, deer, etc. Kaikoura has two farm parks at Kaikoura Farm Park   and Fyffe View Ranch   The true rural New Zealand, and great fun for the whole family.

Fishing

Surf cast from the many miles of beaches on the coastline or simply dangle a line from the wharf or rocks. With deep oceanic currents pushing food close inshore there is a large variety of fish to be caught. World records have been broken in the area. A wide range of fishing gear is available at Kaikoura Marine in Yarmouth St  and at Hunting and Fishing on Beach Rd. Many charter boats operate out of Kaikoura...go after the big ones with Kaikoura Fishing Tours or Over The Edge Fishing Charters.

Four Wheeler Safaris

Four wheeler motorbike and Argo rides, through coastal farmland, native tracks and bush are offered by Glenstrae 4 Wheeler Adventures.

Fly

Learn to fly, Pilot a plane or view the whales from above on a spectacular whale watching flight with The Kaikoura Aero Club.

Fyffe House

One of the first European buildings in Kaikoura and started in 1860, Fyffe House still stands on it’s whale bone piles. Visitors are welcome.

Garden Tours

There are many gardens worthy of a visit in the area. Contact the Kaikoura i-Site for more information on The Coastal Garden Tour.

Golf

A pleasant few hours can be spent on an excellent 18-hole golf course at the Kaikoura Golf Club, situated alongside State Highway 1, just south of Kaikoura.Green fee players welcome.

Hang Gliding and Parapenting

The hills and mountains in the surrounding district provide updrafts for all levels of experience.

Helicopter Flights

For a variety of flights from Scenic and Coastal, Alpine Flights, Heli Hiking and Whalewatching flights, contact Kaikoura Helicopters.

Horse Treks

There are a variety of horse treks, ranging from seashore to farmland, lake shore and bushy hill country to choose from. There is a great horse trek available through Fyffe View Ranch in Chapmans Rd.

Hunting

Hunters can find Red Deer, Chamois, Pigs, Possums and Goats in the mountains. Permits must be obtained from the  Department of Conservation. Guided safaris are also available through South Pacific Safaris   , Puhi Peaks Hunting , and Pure NZ Hunting & Fishing Safaris , Spey Creek Trophy Hunting or contact Kaikoura i-Site.

Kart Luge

Experience the extreme, adreneline packed, downhill, dirt track gravity luge. Awesome views over Kaikoura and the surrounding district at Fyffe View Adventure Park .

Keep Fit

Walk one of the many tracks around the peninsula or visit the Kaikoura Community Gym for a workout to burn off some of that fine food and drink, casuals welcome. Walks Kaikoura offer guided walks over Department of Conservation land around the Kaikoura district.

Kaikoura's Night Sky Astronomy

For guided tours of the incredible night sky over New Zealand. The Kaikoura Night Sky tour uses powerful telescopes and the naked eye to observe the night sky above Kaikoura, mixed in with some Maori knowledge and stories that have been passed down through Maori folklore for centuries.

Llama Trekking

Walk with one of the gentlest creatures on earth... the Llama, with Kaikoura Llama Trekking

Luge

A fantastic 900m long off road Luge track has recently opened at Fyffe View Adventure Park . With all terrain tyres, this luge operates regardless of the weather, and is great fun for the family.

Maori Culture

Maori have lived on this coastline for more than 900 years and their history is rich. Descendants of those first inhabitants still reside here today with a living and vibrant culture. A guided tour with Maori Tours is the best way to learn more .

Movie Theatre

The beautiful historic, art deco Mayfair movie theatre is run by the community and features many of the latest movies.

Museum

The Kaikoura District Museum & Archives is open daily. Visit the rich past history of the District, which includes Maori artifacts, whaling, fishing, farming, saw milling, social history, marine fossils, geology, photographs, archives and all the memorabilia that makes Kaikoura what it is today. Items of special interest include an old jail house and a ships cabin. There are nearly 20,000 photos and many family archives for those wishing to trace their past.

Mini Golf

There is a unique and challenging  Mini Golf course at The Candy Shack in Beach Rd.

Mountain Biking

Kaikoura is a mountain biker’s paradise. Beginners can ride up the scenic Puhi Puhi and Blueduck Valleys while the more adventurous may tackle rides like Mount Fyffe or the Kahutara Saddle into the Clarence Valley. There are new mountain bike trails and tracks in the Waimangaroa Reserve off Topline Rd. See R & R Sports in West End for some great inside info on Kaikoura's mountain biking opportunities. Also bike hire. 

The Clarence River’s dramatic mountain scenery makes an awesome backdrop for a good fun rafting experience, with the friendly professional guides at Clarence River Rafting . Trips range from a couple of hours to three or four days.

Sailing

Kaikoura is a popular port for visiting and local yachts alike with great views of sea, mountains and bird life while cruising the coastline.

Scenic Flights

Awesome views of scenery ranging from the township and coastal panoramas to the spectacular sights of the often snow covered mountains from nearly 3000 metres. Scenic and / or  whale watching trips can be the ultimate flight of a lifetime. See another side of Kaikoura with Air Kaikoura , Kaikoura Helicopters , or Wings Over Whales .

Seal Swimming

Experience the thrill and excitement of snorkelling with the inquisitive and playful NZ Fur Seals. Close
encounters and interaction with wild animals in their own environment has to be experienced to be believed. Boat and shore based trips with guides and equipment supplied are available at Sealswim Kaikoura.

Sheep Shearing

Taking place in an authentic Kiwi shearing shed, you get a taste of traditional sheep shearing, plus the chance to see working dogs and feed a lamb at The Point Sheep Shearing show at Jimmy Armers Beach.

Skate boarding

There is an excellent facility for skateboarders on the foreshore opposite the tennis courts.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Mount Lyford ski field with good facilities is located not far from Kaikoura on the Inland Road to Hanmer Springs. Only 45mins from Kaikoura to carpark.

Sky Diving

For the Ultimate adrenaline rush, try skydiving with Skydive Kaikoura , here in the most scenic location in the world, Kaikoura!

Surfing

Good surf can be found at spots like Mangamaunu, the  ‘Meatworks’  and the Kahutara River mouth. Learn to surf or take a surf tour with Board Silly Surf School , Kaikoura's qualified instructors. Board Hire available from Kaikoura Surf and R & R Sport .

Telescope Viewing of Kaikoura

Two new Telescopes have been set up for you to check out Kaikoura's magnificent scenery. One is located on Scarborough St, nera the Kaikoura lookout. The other is at Kaikoura Winery 2 km south of town.

Walks

The Department of Conservation in Ludstone Rd have maps available for walks in and around the Kaikoura backcountry. There are a number of well maintained huts for overnight stays. Contact DOC for more information on 0800 362 468

Guided walks are plentiful here in Kaikoura. For half or full day walks over Department of Conservation land, contact Walks Kaikoura . For longer excursions including accommodation up in the mountains, Kaikoura Wilderness Walks offer Qualmark approved guided walks of varying duration in the beautiful Seaward Kaikoura ranges.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world for watching Whales and Dolphins due to their close proximity to the shore, and the fact that they can be seen all year round.  Dolphin Swimming is very popular and tours are run by Dolphin Encounter . Whale watching can be done  with Whalewatch Kaikoura by boat, Kaikoura Helicopters , Air Kaikoura and Wings Over Whales by air.

White Water Rafting

The Clarence River's dramatic mountain scenery makes an awesome backdrop for a good fun rafting experience. Tripe with Clarence River Rafting range from a couple of hours to three or four days.

Winery Tours and Wine Tasting

Join Taffy Davies out at Springbank Winery on Postmans Rd for a taste of Kaikoura's finest wines. Have a taste and enjoy the beautiful views at the foot of the Seaward Kaikoura ranges.