Go wildlife spotting as you hike on a coastal route across cliff tops and down to the shoreline. See whales, seals, sea lions and much more.
Put on your walking shoes for a 7.3-mile (11.7-kilometer) trek along the Peninsula Walkway. The staggeringly picturesque coastal route snakes along the Kaikoura Peninsula on New Zealand's South Island under the shadow of the mountains of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. The route is suitable for all ages and one section is wheelchair accessible.
The walk starts at Kaikoura town center and initially follows a 2.7-mile (4.4-kilometer) route to Point Kean Car Park. From here walk up the hill to the lookout platform for beautiful views of the sea and the mountains. At low tide see if you can spot wading birds such as reef herons.
During your hike, stop to read the information panels. They cover such topics as the geology of the peninsula, the history of people who lived in the area and the local wildlife.
The round trip takes approximately 3 hours at a moderate pace. If you don't want to cover the entire walkway explore one of the shorter tracks, for example, the 0.7-mile (1.1-kilometer) walk from Whalers Bay viewpoint to South Bay viewpoint. Observe the colony of Hutton's shearwater along this part of the walkway. This endangered species of seabird is endemic to Kaikoura.
Follow the track along the cliff top to Whalers Bay viewpoint. From here take the staircase down the cliff to the shore. This is a route that whalers used to take. They would stand here looking out to sea for whales and then launch their boats from a spot just around the corner. From here you may see seals and lots of seabirds. Part of this area is known as Bird City because it has the largest red-billed gull colony in the South Island.
The Peninsula Walkway is open year round. Bring a good pair of walking shoes and warm and windproof clothing because the coastal breezes can be chilly. There are toilets at several locations along the route but none on the cliff top. Car parks can be found at two places along the route.
