Whilst it’s most famous for the various wildlife activities on offer, Kaikoura it is a charming place to explore in its own right. Along the high street are a number of small art galleries and craft shops and we recommend allowing a little time to just have a browse. If you haven’t already seen a few seals then head to Kean Point at the end of the peninsula where you will undoubtedly find plenty of them relaxing on the rocks. At low tide you can also walk out on to the rock shelves and look for sea life in the shimmering pools. From here there is a lovely walk around the end of the Peninsula – aptly named the Peninsula walkway – which takes an undulating path along the cliffs to South Bay and on in to Kaikoura township, with several fantastic viewpoints along the way. Once back in the township take a few moments at the Kaikoura War Memorial Gardens where whale bone archways serve as a reminder of the whaling history of the town.

If you want to spend a bit more time on the water then it’s possible to hire kayaks to explore the shoreline and, with any luck, see curious seals bobbing around, and you can also try your hand at fishing here. We recommend booking all activities in advance as it is a popular destination, but the Kaikoura Information Centre is a great place for assistance if you want to wait until you arrive.