Kaikoura a popular spot for walkers
of becoming aggressive if disturbed and can inflict a nasty, infectious bite.
The seals on the rocky platforms out from the car park are females and their pups. For your safety and to avoid disturbing the seals, remain 10 m from any seal in the vicinity of the car park. Along the rest of the Kaikōura Coast, 20 m is the recommended distance to keep away from a seal.
There are toilets at the car park.
Point Kean car park to Point Kean viewpoint Time: 5 minutes Distance: 200 m
Walk up the hill from the car park to a lookout platform. This platform, designed in the shape of a waka, affords an excellent view of both the sea and the mountains. Interpretation panels provide stories of the land, the sea and the people who lived here.
From the car park when the tide is low, you are able to explore the open tidal platforms. You may see wading birds, such as oystercatchers and reef herons, feeding on the platforms. Shags are common and blue penguins may be seen bobbing just offshore.
Just off the tidal platforms is an excellent diving and snorkelling area for those who want a closer look at the marine life.
Point Kean viewpoint to Whalers Bay viewpoint Time: 25 minutes Distance: 1.5 km
Beyond the lookout platform, follow the track along the clifftop for superb views of rugged cliff formations, tidal platforms and the Seaward Kaikōura Range.
An interpretation panel on this section of the walkway explains that, hundreds of years ago, the peninsula was forested with many species of native New Zealand trees and plants. Most of this vegetation was removed during successive waves of human development, leaving small, remnant outcrops of hardy shrubs and plants clinging to the steep cliff faces.
Whalers Bay side-trip
The Whalers Bay track down a stariway follows a former whalers’ route down the cliff to the shoreline. A prominent feature in this area is known as ‘the Sugarloaf’. Don’t climb this landmark, to prevent further erosion.
View seabirds, seals, walkers, divers, crayfish floats and fishing boats. Out to sea, you may see scores of seabirds feeding frantically on small fish herded to the surface by bigger fish or dolphins.
Take care to avoid disturbing any wildlife along the shoreline as there are large colonies of birds in the area. These are particularly vulnerable
to disturbance during the breeding season over summer.
Return back up via the same cliff track, as tides or seals along the shoreline may prevent you from returning to the car park.
Interpretation on the clifftop overlooking ‘the Sugarloaf’ describes the point below as ‘Bird City’ – the largest red-billed gull colony in the South Island.
From here, whalers kept a vigil over the sea, looking out for their quarry. Around the corner in Whalers Bay was the launching point for the whalers’ boats.
Whalers Bay viewpoint to South Bay viewpoint Time: 20 minutes Distance: 1.1 km
On the sea cliffs near this section of the walkway, is a new colony of Hutton’s shearwater behind a large predator-proof fence. In summer you may see large rafts of these birds sitting on the water.
At nightfall, after feeding at sea all day, they return to their breeding colonies high up in the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges. An interpretation panel explains the work being undertaken to establish a colony on the Kaikōura Peninsula.
South Bay viewpoint to South Bay car park Time: 15 minutes Distance: 600 m
From the South Bay viewpoint, the walkway descends to a fully accessible path that leads to an information shelter and toilets at South Bay. Before descending to South Bay, linger to view the tidal platforms and the view south. The interpretation panel here has a landscape profile identifying the mountain peaks and Goose Bay.
South Bay to Kaikōura TC via Scarborough Street Time: One hour five minutes Distance: 3.9 km
From the South Bay shelter, return to Kaikōura town centre by following the marker posts along the coast towards the marina. Follow the marker posts to South Bay Parade and cross to South Bay Track, walk up the hill, cross Scarborough Street and walk down Toms Track to return to The Esplanade.
South Bay car park to Limestone Bay Time: Five minutes Distance: 250 m
At South Bay, a fully accessible path from the car park takes you to Limestone Bay. The elevated walkway above the tidal platform gives wonderful coastal views and allows you to smell the ocean and watch the birds.
Limestone Bay to South Bay viewpoint Time: 10 minutes Distance: 350 m
This climb up to a viewpoint on the clifftop rewards you with superb views of tidal platforms, cliff formations and Haumuri Bluffs to the south.
Kaikōura lies almost midway between Picton (154 km) and Christchurch (183 km) off SH1 on the east coast of the South Island. Regular bus and train services pass through the town.