Kaikoura - Whale watch / NZ

From Hokitika I went up to Greymouth and crossed via Route 7 from the West to the East Coast. 
I stopped at the Hanmer Springs for a break. It was quite relaxing sitting in the heat of the hot springs after my hike the day before. 

At the Campsite

Reaching Kaikoura I stayed at the Kaikoura Holiday Park. The whole way is 383km, which was too much driving for one day. 

For dinner I got great Fish'nChips in town at Tiki's Take Away. You can also do some souvenir shopping. One street, not too big, but a few lovely little shops.

On the boat

For the next day I had booked a boat trip to go Whale watching. Again my tipp to check on the website bookme to get a discounted ticket. In the morning you will find out, if your trip takes place at all, depending on the weather conditions etc. They asked me if I need anything against sea sickness. I never was sea sick in my life.
We went to the harbour, got on the boat and off we went. Bit farther out the waves were quite high and at the end everybody except the staff was hanging above a paper bag, including me. Now I understood the long explanation of the crew how to use a paper bag.
What we did not see was a whale :-(
At least you get quite a lot of your money reimbursed in case you do not see a whale.

I really wanted to see a whale, therefore I checked the bookme page myself and booked a flight with Air Kaikoura (there is another company called wings over whales) for the next day :-).

Having a lot of time left that day I first went to the Lavender farm. I am not telling much, as the owner a Dutch Couple told me they are going to sell the farm as they wanna retire. But next to a garden full of lavender they had a little shop with great smelling self-made lavender articles.  

 

The Peninsula and the walk

At the road to the peninsula

The rest of the day I spent on a long walk starting somewhere along the road after you have passed the ISite. I walked and walked along the whole peninsula, saw some seals, went on and went up to the top of the peninsula, walked along there and crossed somewhere after  reached the houses at South Bay. Long walk, but nice and beautiful weather. 
 



 

 

The next day I went to Air Kaikoura The little airport is outside of town with two pilots running the business (at that moment). A couple joined who sat in the rear and me sitting in the front next to our pilot Melissa. 
It was fantastic. We have seen one whale, which was great but the flight itself was also very fantastic. The view on the peninsula was amazing and there has been a huge group of dolphins doing jumps and having fun with each other. 

The Whale :-)

Many many and jumping dolphins

Kaikoura peninsula

I couldn't tell what I would recommend boat or flight?! If you see a whale from the boat, you are nearer, from the plane you have a different perspective. I really loved the flight. 

Afterwards I left Kaikoura heading up the coast to Picton.

Tipp: I haven't done it, but I read about the The Kaikoura Coast Track. Sounded nice, maybe you are interested, it's a few days and your food & luggage even gets transported. Have a look at www.kaikouratrack.co.nz