Kaikōura Ranges, Canterbury, New Zealand
Kaikoura is best known for its amazing marine life. Here, you can see whales all year round, particularly the huge sperm whales. Take a trip with Whale Watch and you may also see Pilot, Humpback, Southern Right whales, Orca and even a mighty Blue Whale. Wings over Water or Kaikoura Helicopters will give you the opportunity to see the whales from the air. There are also large numbers of dolphins all year round. Try Dolphin Encounter to see them up close - you can even swim with them if you wish. Albatross Encounter will take you up close to these mighty seabirds and the Sealswim is an activity not to be missed. You can also go to Kaikoura Kayaks and Kaikoura Snorkelling Tours to ensure you see all the amazing marine wildlife that is unique to this area or visit the seal colonies to see the New Zealand fur seal up close at Point Kean and Ohau Point. In winter from April to November witness the baby seals at the Ohau waterfall as they play and frolic all day long.
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If you want some action while staying at The Factory, two of the best surf breaks in New Zealand are just 5 minutes up the road: Maungamanu and Meatworks. Learn to surf with Boardsilly if you are a novice. Skiing at Mount Lyford alpine resort is only an hour away up the scenic inland road. Golfers can play on the Kaikoura Golf Course which is renowned for its magnificent vista of the mountains and the ocean. It is rated from beginner to low handicapper or you can play on the newly opened Koura Bay 9 hole course. Farmpark, Kaikoura have a huge range of all sorts of animals to get close to or go trekking with Llamas with Llama Trekking Kaikoura. You can also: spend a few days on the amazing Wilderness Walk staying at Shearwater Lodge, ride 4WD vehicles at Glenstrae 4WD Adventures, go white-water rafting with Clarence River Rafting or take a charter on a fishing boat.
Other wonderful activities include Kaikoura Night Sky which will introduce you to the spectacular Southern Hemisphere night sky or take The Maori Tour that was voted the best cultural activity in New Zealand in 2009 and 2010 as well the overall best NZ attraction in 2010. There is also Lavendyl, the Lavender farm where you can stroll through the lavender gardens, watch the distillation process and buy some of their wonderful products and Fyffe House where you can learn more about the history of Kaikoura.
If you are into Hunting, Anton at Pure NZ is your man.There is also his Hunting and Fishing store where you can purchase clothing, fishing and hunting accessories.
Of course, no holiday would be complete without wonderful food and the very name, Kaikoura, means meal of crayfish. There are many great cafes, coffee shops and restaurants in Kaikoura all serving the most wonderfully fresh seafood as well as some iconic caravans - Nin's Bin being the most well-known of them all. Alternatively catch your own. The Rodfather is just one of the many fishing charter companies here.
There are lots of great shops in Kaikoura that sell a range of interesting items. There are many artists who have made Kaikoura their home using this magnificent location of mountains and ocean as their inspiration.
Getting around
The Factory is an easy 10 minute drive from Kaikoura. There is very little public transport available but hire cars are available and there is a shuttle service. The beautiful transcoastal train that goes from Christchurch to Picton every day. stops at Kaikoura and we can organise pick-ups for an extra charge if needed.
