Families

From fish and chips on the beach, to visiting Fyffe House, jumping aboard a chartered fishing trip or touring a working farm on quad bikes, Kaikōura’s unique mountain and ocean environment offers the ultimate outdoor playground for families to explore.

Make the most of the calm weather in the mornings with a guided kayak tour around the Kaikōura Peninsula coast, take a cruise with Dolphin Encounter for a closer look at the remarkably acrobatic Dusky Dolphins, or jump aboard a whale watching tour by boat or by air, for memories to last a lifetime.

From holiday parks and camping grounds, to motels and waterfront apartments, there’s accommodation to suit all lifestyles and budgets too.

Dolphin Encounter

Kaikōura is one of the best places in the world to encounter dolphins in their natural environment. It's just you, the open ocean... and Kaikōura's wild Dusky Dolphins. Dolphin Encounter offers dolphin cruises, or for a truly life changing experience, dive in and take a swim alongside these sleek and playful beauties.

Dolphin Encounter

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Coastal Pacific

Immerse yourself in the rugged coastal architecture of New Zealand. Travelling between Christchurch and Picton, this memorable journey stops at Blenheim for you to explore the brilliant Marlborough region. Along 98 kilometres of ruggedly beautiful coastline you’ll get astonishingly close to the surging Pacific Ocean and steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges.

Coastal Pacific

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Kaikōura Museum

Discover the history of Kaikōura - the land, the sea and its people at the award winning Kaikōura Museum. It’s long-term display documents the region’s connection with the sea and it also regularly presents special exhibitions sure to spark the imagination of the little ones.

Kaikoura Museum

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Sudima Kaikōura

Located right on the edge of the stunning Kaikōura coastline, Sudima Kaikōura is a brand new 4.5-star hotel with stunning views of mountains and sea. It’s just a short walk from the township’s retail centre and main activity and attraction booking centres, making it the ideal place to stay.

Sudima Kaikōura

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The White Morph

Set on the Kaikōura esplanade, The White Morph is a short walk from the township with its bars, restaurants, cafes, retail stores and Kaikōura’s main attractions including Whale Watch Kaikōura and Dolphin Encounter. Enjoy amazing sea and mountain views and a wide range of room types to suit all travellers and budgets.

The White Morph

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Harmons Motor Museum

Enjoy an extensive range of classic kiwi icons and American beauties on show at Harmons Motor Museum!

Harmons Motor Museum

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Wings over Whales

For an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind adventure book a whale watching flight, scenic air tour or private charter with Wings Over Whales. Enjoy your own window seat and their high-winged aircraft will fly high and give you a bird’s eye perspective of some of the incredible marine wildlife of Kaikōura and its majestic scenery.

Wings over Whales

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Puhi Puhi Reserve Walk

Let the kids burn off some steam along the Puhi Puhi Reserve Walk. This 10 minute walk starts at the Doc campsite, along PuhiPuhi Road, 9kms north of Kaikōura. It may be short, but it’s worth taking your time and listening to the birds and exploring the surrounding bush and river.

Walks in Kaikoura

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Whale Watch Kaikōura

Whale Watch Kaikōura Jump aboard one of New Zealand’s most enduring tourist attractions and a truly memorable experience with Whale Watch Kaikōura. Enjoy an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment.

Whale Watch Kaikōura

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Biking in Kaikōura

Whether you’re after a leisurely, family-friendly ride along the coast, a gravel grind workout or epic single trail riding, biking is one of the best ways to experience the majestic landscapes of Kaikōura. Ditch the car for your stay here, because cycling is an excellent way to get around Kaikōura!

Biking in Kaikoura

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Ohau Point Seal Colony

Half an hour drive north of Kaikōura, you’ll come to the Ohau Point Seal Colony, a fur seal breeding area, which offers unrivalled views of these cute marine mammals in their natural habitat. Watch the playful pups play in the rock pools and the adults laze about on the rocks.

Ohau Point Seal Colony

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Feast on Kaikōura's famous crayfish

Enjoy a meal of crayfish in Kaikōura at one of the many restaurants or roadside stores. A town well known for their seafood offering, the name Kaikōura translates into "to eat crafish".

Famous Crayfish

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Kaikōura Kayaks

Get up close to the incredible wildlife of the Kaikōura coastline, with a half-day guided family kayaking trip with Kaikōura Kayaks. Survey the coastline and spot the Native New Zealand fur seals - and if you’re lucky you may even see some little blue penguins and Dusky Dolphins.

Kaikoura Kayaks

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Fish and chips on the beach

Looking for some freedom and fun? Grab a feed at the local fish and chip shop and head to the beach! View the wildlife, explore the rocks, search the flotsam and jetsam and feast on some locally caught fish and chips - there’s no better way to end the day!

Fish & Chips

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Emporium Mini-Golf & Escape Rooms

Emporium Brewing has a fun Kaikōura themed 18 hole Mini Golf course plus 2 escape rooms, the perfect affordable family activities when in Kaikōura

Emporium Mini-Golf & Escape Rooms

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Albatross Encounter

Meet nature's most extraordinary seabirds close-up on the wild Kaikōura coastline with Albatross Encounter, which offers an opportunity to spot up to 14 species of Albatross, not to mention a huge range of other sea birds, including shearwaters, petrels, shags, penguins, gulls and dozens more.

Albatross Encounter

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Kaikōura Top 10 Holiday Park

Affordable, easy access, great facilities and ideally located - there’s no better place to stay for families than the Kaikōura Top 10 Holiday Park. Whether you’re travelling in a campervan, or want to stay in a basic cabin, unit or motel room, there is an option for everyone.

Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park

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Learn more about Kaikōura

at the official tourism website

Visit Kaikōura

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Explore more of the Top of the South

Hurunui

From the rolling hills and wineries of Waiparato the rugged limestone cliffs along the east coast, the incredible vistas, relaxed vibe and warm Kiwi hospitality in Hurunui offers an opportunity to slowdown and make the most of your visit.

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Marlborough

Dreamy sunsets, calm reflections and star-filled nights - you couldn’t ask for a more inspiring backdrop to create un-filled holiday memories with your loved ones. Explore the four valleys that create Marlborough, meet the passionate people who live, work and play there and learn about their connection with the land.

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Nelson Tasman

Nelson Tasman has an incredible arts and events scene, an exciting and diverse range of food and beverage producers and an indelible connection with the outdoors. Along with a vibrant array of fresh produce and artisan products, boutique wineries, craft breweries and award winning cider makers can all be found in this part of the world.

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West Coast

From its stunning coastline to the epic peaks of the Southern Alps, the West Coast is a place of stunning natural beauty and the ideal spot for a getaway. Whether the hills are calling your name, or you prefer a more laid-back approach to taking some time out, there is no better place to re-set, recharge and reconnect.

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