Queen Charlotte & Marlborough - Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand - page 284

DON'T MISS

The Pacific coast town of Kaikoura is terrific for wildlife-spotting. Whales, dolphins, NZ
fur seals, penguins, shearwaters, petrels and wandering albatross are just some of the
interesting creatures that stop in or call this place home. The area is most famous for
marine animals, present in abundance due to ocean-current and continental-shelf
conditions.
A good place to get to grips with this lively, salty town is at Point Kean, where seals
laze around on a craggy reef - and sometimes in the car park. From there you can
pick up the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway , along which you might see various soaring
seabirds.
For a fully immersive experience consider a swim with seals or dolphins on regular
tours that get rave reviews. The ultimate Kaikoura experience, however, is to go on a
whale-watching boat trip with Whale Watch Kaikoura ( 0800 655 121, 03-319 6767;
www.whalewatch.co.nz; Railway Station; 3hr tour adult/child $145/60) , on which you can get up
close to the incredible creatures.

DOC Offices
A Picton i-SITE ( 03-520 3113; www.lovemarlborough.co.nz; Foreshore;

9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to

4pm Sat & Sun)
A Sounds Area Office ( 03-520 3002; www.doc.govt.nz; 14 Auckland St, Picton;

9am-4.30pm

Mon-Fri)

A Havelock Information Centre ( 03-574 2114; www.havelockinfocentre.co.nz; 256 Main Rd;
9am-4pm)

A DOC Nelson Regional Visitor Centre ( Click here )
A Kaikoura i-SITE ( 03-319 5641; www.kaikoura.co.nz; West End;

9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm

Sat & Sun)

GATEWAY TOWNS

A Picton ( Click here )
A Havelock ( Click here )
A Nelson ( Click here )
A Kaikoura ( Click here )