Hurunui and Kaikōura: A first timer’s guide to the Alpine Pacific Touring Route
Set off on the Alpine Pacific Touring Route and discover the best of Hurunui and Kaikōura.
With an abundance of wildlife, thermal pools, wineries and wilderness ripe for exploration, Hurunui and Kaikōura offer travellers experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Take off along the Alpine Pacific Touring Route and discover a spectacular part of Aotearoa. Starting in Christchurch (Or ending, depending on direction of travel), read on for the ultimate road trip inspiration.
INDULGE
There are plenty of places to wine and dine along the route. North Canterbury is an internationally renowned food and wine destination, with many of its 90+ vineyards being family owned and run. Its diverse volcanic, limestone and clay soils produce varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
• Georges Road Wines: Sample some of NZ’s best Syrah, Pinot Gris and Rosé in the Waipara Valley.
• Greystone Wines: Organically and regeneratively grown grapes in the limestone and clay hills of Omihi. Stay the night at the PurePod glass cabin.
• Black Estate: A dog-friendly restaurant and cellar door with on-site accommodation.
• Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses is nestled at the base of the Kaikōura Seaward Mountain Range. Chat with the chefs as they prepare your meal, which is seasonal and locally sourced.
• Indulge in hands-on farm-to-table experiences, cooking classes and seasonal evening feasts at
Hapuku Kitchen. • Esses Wines do beautiful vintage sparkling wines with free delivery within Kaikōura and upon request can have it chilled down and delivered to your accommodation ready for arrival.
RELAX
One of the primary drawcards of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route is undoubtedly Hanmer Springs and the promise of some quality relaxation.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is a place you can enjoy with your partner, friends, kids, or simply on your own. The activity pool and water slides will keep the kids occupied for hours, while soothing sulphur pools and spa treatments are the perfect way to switch off and reconnect with yourself.
The Spa at Hanmer Springs offers a range of treatments, including facials, manicures and pedicures, and blissful hot stone massage.
Connect with nature and someone special with The PurePods Experience. Offering isolated wilderness bliss from the comfort of a warm, luxurious pod.
EXPLORE
Discover the surrounding wilderness of Hurunui and Kaikōura. There are tranquil walks, more advanced tramping tracks, golf courses, water sports and mountain biking trails that will all showcase the unique landscapes in a different way.
Walks
• Join a bespoke truffle hunt experience in the heart of Canterbury’s limestone country with Kings Truffles.
• Discover the dramatic Cathedral Cliffs, a short distance from Gore Bay.
• The forest surrounding Hanmer Springs has some great walks for all fitness levels, including the short and family-friendly Forest Amble walk, the half-day Conical Hill walk and Mt Isobel day tramp.
• Embark on New Zealand’s finest two day private walk, the Kaikōura Coast Track, which includes luggage transfers, Hiker’s accommodation, Warm, clean cottages with hot showers and fully equipped kitchens and breathtaking views.
Water
There are a raft of water-based activities (see what we did there?) in Hurunui and Kaikōura to suit everyone from the casual fisherman to the adrenaline-seeker.
• Go jetboating, kayaking or white water rafting on the Waiau River in Hanmer Springs.
• Plunge beneath the waves to discover Kaikōura’s underwater playground on a scuba dive with Dave’s Diving.
• Pack your surfboard and ride the waves at one of Kaikōura’s top surf spots like Meatworks, Mangamaunu or Oaro Beach.
• Whether you want to paddle with marine life or go kayak fishing, Kaikōura Kayaks have you covered.
Saddle up
Middle Hill MTB has world class riding with one of the most scenic backdrops you’re likely to encounter. Rent a bike from Kaikōura E Bike Ltd and set off along the Kaikōura Cycling Trail, a 48km bike ride suitable for most abilities that takes about 4 hours.
Once the sun goes down, clear skies reveal spectacular displays.
Literally one block from Hanmer Springs’ main street and you can drop into a range of mountain biking tracks that take you through the Heritage forest and out into the hills and mountains behind Hanmer Springs. The St James Trail, one of NZ’s official Great Rides, is also easily accessible from Hanmer Springs.
WILDLIFE
Hurunui and Kaikōura are well-known for their abundance of unique and beautiful wildlife.
Whale watching tours and Dolphin Encounter will get you up close to some of Kaikōura’s magnificent marine creatures, including the Sperm Whale and Dusky Dolphins. The Kaikōura undersea canyon plunges to depths of over 1200m very close to shore, and attracts a wide range of other wildlife such as the New Zealand fur seal,
petrels, the Royal Albatross, gannets, gulls, shearwaters and penguins.
A helicopter flight is a magnificent way to observe the marine environment from a different angle. See a pod of frolicking dolphins and be awed by glimpsing whales from top to tail.
And on land there’s loads of animal fun at Hanmer Animal Park, with pony rides, handfeeding and entertainment for animal lovers of all ages.
Plan your trip to Hurunui and Kaik ōura: www.visithurunui.co.nz www.kaikoura.co.nz