The drive from Blenheim to Kaikoura which starts through rolling fields and vineyards soon gives way to the rugged Pacific Coast. The area around Kaikoura is famous for its wildlife. The abundance of wild life becomes apparent as you journey down the coast past seal colonies, rocky outcrops covered in sea birds and past small roadside stalls selling the seafood that Kaikoura is most famous for – Crayfish (or for my foreign readers – lobsters).
The actual township of Kaikoura is the base for whale watching where it is possible to spend time on the ocean watching these majestic animals in their natural habitat as well as a range of other ocean based activities such as swimming with dolphins and albatross spotting. For the less adventurous there is the peninsular walk, a self guided walk along the shore past an array of sea and bird life – much of it within arms reach.
Kaikoura is truly a town based on natural tourism. If you are travelling around New Zealand stop a while and enjoy this unique place.
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- Seal pup asleep beside the Peninsular walk in Kaikoura
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- Dinghy on a dock in Kaikoura
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- Visitors from afar
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- Sleeping Seal
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- Seagulls and more seagulls
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- Shag on a rock
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- My rental “rollerskate” at sunset
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- The rugged coast
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- Seaweed washed up on the beach
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- And then another
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- A place to buy the local delicacy – Crayfish
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- Seal on a rock
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- Flax on the beach
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- Seals on rocks
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- The Kaikoura Coast looking south
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- Disused road under, rail on top bridge south of Blenheim
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- The distant hills of Marlborough on the drive south
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- Shags on a rock with Kaikoura in the background
toscanakiwi 
If you’re passing through Otira, ask for me at the Hotel, they’ll point out my place. :-) Cheers; DB
DB,
I almost made it to the coast last Thursday but was defeated by Hokitika airport being fogged in on Thursday – then ended up in Wellington as Christchurch was also fogged in so we couldn’t turn back. Good to hear from you old thing.
Cheers
G