Explore a different side of Canterbury, Kaikōura and Hurunui
Explore Canterbury’s incredible history, culture, nature and local wineries
Some of New Zealand’s most incredible sights and experiences are hidden throughout Canterbury. There’s Kaikōura, where mountains drop straight into a wild ocean, bursting with marine life. Further south, discover relaxation and luxury with wineries in North Canterbury. Keep going and you’ll reach Ōtautahi Christchurch, known for its culture, delicious cuisine and riverside attractions.
Intrigued yet? See the best of this southern gem with our guide to exploring Canterbury by air, foot, water or wheels.
See what’s under the sea in Kaikōura
Kaikōura is New Zealand’s premier marine wildlife destination - its seas brim with sperm whales, dusky dolphins and seals year round. A helicopter tour with Kaikōura Helicopters is a great way to encounter them all. Depart from a beachfront helipad and they’ll whisk you away over the ocean, where with any luck, you’ll see dozens of dolphins and pods of whales. The mountain and sea views aren’t bad either!
If you’re keen to get a little closer, try the Kaikōura Seal Swim, which has recently been named one of the top 10 marine encounters in the world by Lonely Planet. Your local guide will take you out to the shallow waters where you’ll snorkel amongst dozens of Kekeno (New Zealand fur seals).
To explore via foot, try the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. This three hour long track is one of many, taking you along a coastal route with a background of steep mountains, seal habitats and rich local history. At low tide, you can now walk out 1km on a seabed uplifted by the earthquakes, where you’ll find a ‘teenage seal hangout’ to the right of Point Kean.
Cars with bike racks and trailers are becoming a frequent site in the area so if exploring on two wheels is more your speed then come try out the bike trails around Kaikōura. You can enjoy a 48km loop on a mix of trail or quiet country roads. Middle Hill Mountain bike trail is popular with locals and visitors and the newest to explore is the Kaiterau trail which opened in late October. The Kaikōura cycling club has all the details of the trails and accessibility on their website.
Tour the wineries in the Waipara Valley
After all that fresh air and exercise in Kaikōura, you would have earned a wine or two once you reach the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury. The region is internationally renowned for its pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling and is home to more than 90 world-class wineries.
Black Estate is the perfect place to start your tour. This restaurant, accommodation and winery is set among the rolling hills, with views over the Waipara Valley to the Southern Alps. Book the cellar door experience to sample their full range of biodynamic, organic wines.
The Bone Line, 10 minutes down the road, should be your next stop. This small, local winery is named for the nearby K-T boundary line where an asteroid struck the earth nearby and is an area where countless fossils have been found. Make sure you try their 2018 Amphitheatre Cabernet Franc, which wine critics have called one of the world’s finest examples of the varietal.
Just around the corner you’ll find Waipara Springs, a family-owned winery featuring 26 hectares of old vines planted on a prehistoric lakebed.
Visit their cellar door to taste their wines, or stick around for a while to sample their local produce from their restaurant in their sunny gardens.
Experience culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
After you’ve wined and dined in Waipara, drive an hour down the coast to Ōtautahi Christchurch to experience the local culture. Start with an Amiki ‘City Meander’ walking tour to get a taste for the real Ōtautahi. You’ll be guided to 3-5 local, whanau owned cafes and restaurants to sample the kai, while learning the stories and history of local Māori and settlers.
The Waka on Avon is another great way to see the city from a different angle. Float through Ōtautahi Christchurch on the Avon aboard a traditional Māori waka and hear stories of Māori and settler history. Know that over 180 years ago Māori and Early settlers worked together to build Ōtautahi Christchurch by transporting bricks on waka down the very same river.
Before you go make sure you visit Fush, a local premium seafood restaurant who are normalising the use of te reo Māori through manaakitanga (hospitality). Do yourself a favour and grab the Premium Fush which features sustainably caught Chatham Islands blue cod and chunky Pukekohe agria potato chips. Order your meal in te reo Māori for extra points.
The Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari has a weekday special on its 41⁄ hour safari cruise in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, which includes encounters with whales, dolphins, seals, and rare seabirds.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, adults pay $99 and children pay $65, or you can get a family pass for $255.