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Tourist places in Kaikoura

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Tuesday, 06 May 2008
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History of Kaikoura

The little town of Kaikoura lies on the northeast coast of the South Island at the foot of the Seaward Kaikoura Range (2600m), just north of the rocky Kaikoura Peninsula, which is famed for its seal colony.

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The Maori name Kaikoura (eating crayfish) is a reference to the rich crayfish fishing grounds that were much prized by the Maoris. In the 1 9th C. whaling also made a major contribution to the economy of the town. There are still a few relics of the old whaling stations in the form of whalebones (e.g. in the Garden of Memories).

On the rocks at the end of Kaikoura Island is a colony of several hundred seals with some yellow-eyed penguins. They do not appear to have any fear of humans. A trip on a boat will yield sightings, from an appropriate distance, of not just seals but also of black and Hector's dolphins, sperm whales, and albatrosses with wingspans of over 3m.

Tourist Attractions in Kaikoura

Dolphin Encounter
Dolphin Encounters offer dolphin and whale watching excursions as well as opportunities for visitors to swim with dolphins.

Fyffe House
Fyffe House was built around 1860 for a whaler named George Fyffe. It is now a historic monument.

Maori Leap Cave
3km south of Kaikoura is the Maori Leap Cave, a karstic sea cave hollowed out by the surf with fine stalactite formations and in which large numbers of bird and seal skeletons were found.Guided tours by arrangement through the local visitor center.

Maori Meeting House
Near the hospital is the Takahara Marae (assembly place), which has been given a new lease of life by the construction of a modern Maori meeting house. From the little Maori cemetery there is a good view of the mountains across the bay. The old Maori pa was taken in 1828 by Te Rauparaha, the warlike chief from the North Island. From here it is a short distance to the Kaikoura Lookout.

How to reach Kaikoura

By rail :
Kaikoura is on the Scenic rail line between Picton and Christchurch. There is one train, but it stops at Kaikoura twice. It leaves from Christchuch in the morning, stops at Kaikoura on the way up to Picton, and then it stops again at Kaikoura on it's way back to Christchurch.

The train journey is fantastic with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, the train follows the coast for the last part of the journey into Kaikoura and you can often see fur seals lazing on the rocks. The station itself is on Whaleway Station Road (presumably named because Whale Watch Kaikoura operate out of the station).

By Road :

By bus
A number of bus or shuttle services run from Picton to Christchurch. They will all stop at Kaikoura.

By car
Kaikoura is on State Highway 1, and you must pass through it if you are driving that route. Two hours drive north of Christchurch.

By Air :
Kaikoura Airport is a one of New Zealand's smaller airports. It's not an airstrip, as the runway is sealed for a smoother landing. Don't expect to join crowds of other passengers filing aboard a widebodied jet, or even a narrowbodied one. You'll fly in a plane the size of a compact car, where every seat has a window, or two, and a door as well. You might even get to sit alongside the pilot, so don't play with the controls! Oh, and you will have to carry your own bags, so pack well and don't have too much luggage; excess baggage doesn't fly.

Best Buying Kaikoura

Try to make a stop at the Lavender Farm while visiting Kaikoura. Located on the property of Dylan's Country Cottages (B&B), the shop has wonderful gifts. We stopped on our way out of town, and my friend and I both bought all kinds of wonderful products. Plenty of lotions and potions for skin, bath, and some that just smell good.

We spent so much time shopping that we didn't have time to check out the gardens, but you can stroll around those as well.

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
 
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