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Things to see in Kaikōura (New Zealand): 39 places and when to go

Kaikōura is a town in New Zealand, and this site lists 39 places in and around it, mainly Nature (26), Mountains (19), Hiking (9). The best known are Manakau, Te Ana – The Caves and Mount Fyffe. The best time to come is October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in June, 8 h 55. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.

Reviewed on 4 min read

In a nutshell

Where
New Zealand · -42.4012, 173.6897
Places
39 places on this site, in the town and around it.
What people come for
Nature (26) · Mountains (19) · Hiking (9) · History (3) · Museums and art (2) · Beaches (1)
Best time
October to April.
Also possible
May to September.
Nearest airport
WLG Wellington, 151 km as the crow flies
Highest point
Manakau, at 2,608 m.

What to see in Kaikōura

The places in and around Kaikōura, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.

And the other 15, by what you come to do:

When to go to Kaikōura

The best time to visit Kaikōura is October to April; also possible: May to September. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.

  1. JanBest time14:46
  2. FebBest time13:40
  3. MarBest time12:21
  4. AprBest time10:50
  5. MayPossible9:35
  6. JunPossible8:55
  7. JulPossible9:11
  8. AugPossible10:16
  9. SepPossible11:44
  10. OctBest time13:11
  11. NovBest time14:28
  12. DecBest time15:06

Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight

In December there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in June, 8 h 55. In January, 39 of the 39 places are at their best.

When to go to New Zealand in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.

Getting to Kaikōura

The nearest main airport is Wellington International Airport (WLG, Wellington), 151 km as the crow flies. How to get around New Zealand (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.

Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)

Other towns nearby

And all of New Zealand, in its country guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see in Kaikōura?

The best known: Manakau, Te Ana – The Caves, Mount Fyffe, Haumuri Bluff, Te ao Whekere. In all, 39 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.

When is the best time to visit Kaikōura?

October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 15 h 06 of daylight, and in June, 8 h 55.

How do you get to Kaikōura?

The nearest main airport is Wellington International Airport (WLG), 151 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.

How do I add it to my trip?

Create a trip with Kaikōura as the destination and these 39 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.

Keep reading

Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.