115 Beach Rd, Kaikoura 7300,
Canterbury, New Zealand

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Lobster inn Motor Lodge | Kaikoura Accommodation | Activities and Attractions in Kaikoura

Activities and Attractions in Kaikoura, New Zealand

Don't be deceived, there's more to Kaikoura than marine life!! A destination for all seasons, Kaikoura offers activities for everyone. Whether you enjoy just soaking up the surrounding beauty, walking the shores or more active pursuits, there's plenty to see and do in Kaikoura on land, by sea, or in the air! Enjoy the many fun filled activities Kaikoura has to offer from sea based activities to four wheeler safaris, scenic walks and more.

Planning is key to ensure you get the best out of your stay in Kaikoura. Pre-booking major activities is essential especially through Dec - March to avoid disappointment. Plan for a back up should weather be a factor so you get the most from your visit to our picturesque Township.

Kaikoura Activities

  • Fyffe House – Kaikoura Museum – Lavender Farm – Sheep Shearing show – Art & craft – shopping and Cafes are all great ways to explore Kaikoura.
  • Don’t forget the Seals. Swimming or viewing they are quite fascinating. Also, view the seal colony at the Ohau lookout or at Jimmy Armers Beach.
  • Wind down after walking and tramping with a therapeutic Beauty treatment.
  • Along with the many other activities Kaikoura has to offer, Kayaking, Albatross Encounter, Surf Adventures, Diving, Fishing, Four wheeler safaris, River Rafting, Helicopter and Plane flights.
  • Play a round or two of Golf. Test your skills on the one of the two golf courses at Kaikoura. Kaikoura Golf Course and Koura Bay Golf.
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Encounter Kaikoura

Encounter Kaikoura has been providing boat tours to swim with and watch the dusky dolphins and other wildlife since 1989. Plan an exciting day out and about Kaikoura, or ask one of our team to help you organise your trip. Dolphin Encounter is based at our Encounter Kaikoura venue, located on the beachfront at 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura, within easy walk of all the central township accommodation.

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Whale Watching and Dolphins

Whale Watching and Dolphins are notoriously what the people want to see and do when visiting Kaikoura. Whale Watching and Dolphins are notoriously what the people want to see and do when visiting Kaikoura. This is an amazing activity when the weather is great. Added to this are other amazing Kaikoura adventures to be had.

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Scenic Walks around Kaikoura

There are many scenic walks on offer, the most popular being the Peninsula walk which goes from the Seal Colony at Jimmy Armers Beach through to South Bay Reserve and offers a easy to moderate half day walk. Short walks explore the peninsula as well as the slopes of Mount Fyffe. There is an interesting symmetry here. You can stand on the beach or the peninsula in the morning with an excellent view of Mount Fyffe. By afternoon, you can be standing on Mount Fyffe, which affords you the reverse view of the peninsula. Longer walks in the area include the Kowhai-Hapuku Circuit, a 2-3 day route that follows two river valleys behind Mount Fyffe, or the easier, private Kaikoura Coast Track further south. On foot, it is less than an hour’s walk from Kaikoura to the Peninsula Walkway. The Mount Fyffe tracks are too far to walk to, although a shuttle bus currently provides transport.

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Take a a break South Island

Have a look at what the South Island has to offer. This magazine is a must for those travelling around the South Island this summer. As the days lengthen and the temperature increases, summer is the ideal time to get outside and discover breath-taking scenery and stunning coastline that makes Kaikoura such a unique and special place.
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Kaikoura Farmers Market

Head along to the Kaikoura Farmers Market. Warm up with a range of hot brunch and lunch dishes. Open Sundays 10-12. Stallholders at the market may sell only primary produce, fresh food, and value added processed edible produce (exceptions are fresh cut flowers (not dried) and propagated edible plants, compost, natural fertiliser, and worm farms.) All products sold must be caught, grown, reared, brewed, pickled, smoked or otherwise produced in a 150km radius from Kaikoura. This define area will be referred to as “Kaikoura Region”. Kaikoura Farmers’ Markets excludes goods purchased for resale. The stall must be operated by the producer or someone directly involved in production (family or employee). The seller must have knowledge of the product.

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South Pacific Helicopters

South Pacific Whale Watch, based in beautiful Kaikoura, provides a unique perspective of the amazing Sperm Whales and the other abundant marine life found in the area. Whale Watching by helicopter is also the perfect answer for those travelling with small children, with impaired mobility or those susceptible to seasickness.

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