New Zealand
Kaikoura
The drive from Picton to Kaikoura
The drive from Picton to Kaikoura is a journey filled with stunning views that will amaze and delight you. Every twist and turn of the road reveals a new breathtaking vista. Starting in Picton, the thick forest-covered, snowcapped mountains reminiscent of the Alps gradually give way to the rolling brown grassy hills of Marlborough's wine region, dotted with vineyards reminiscent of Northern California's Napa Valley. As you progress, the eastern coastline unfolds with its rugged, kelp-strewn shoreline and the tranquil, aqua blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Kaikoura, your first stop, is a charming fishing village located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, 112 miles (180 kilometers) north of Christchurch. A rocky peninsula teeming with life extends into the sea south of the town, creating a dramatic meeting point between the mountains and the ocean.
Aqua blue Pacific Ocean
Take a leisurely walk from the campground through the quaint beach town of Kaikoura along its esplanade to the tip of its rocky isthmus. The sight that greets you as you look back is extraordinary: a picturesque ocean town framed by majestic snowcapped mountains.
Kaikoura's waters benefit from upwelling currents that bring a wealth of nutrients from the depths of the ocean, fostering abundant marine life. Whales, once hunted, can now be observed alive and up close, alongside southern fur seals and dolphins that thrive on the plentiful food supply. Kaikoura's tide pools and rugged coastline are also home to remarkable seabirds like albatrosses, petrels, and Hutton's shearwaters. The native Maori people have treasured Kaikoura's rich waters for centuries, leaving behind remnants of their ancient hillside fortifications overlooking the ocean.
As you travel south in New Zealand's South Island, make time to experience all that Kaikoura has to offer.
Kaikoura Video
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