Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway
Life on the edge
Observe seals and seabirds, explore historic pā and whaling sites and enjoy clifftop views of the sea and mountains. Suitable for families, the whole walkway takes three hours, but you can also explore a range of shorter tracks.
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The story
The 11-kilometre Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway brings you into the midst of coastal wildlife, history and sublime views. Kaikōura literally means to ‘eat crayfish’, recalling the occasion when early explorer Tama ki te Raki had a meal of crayfish here. A region with over 800 years of complex Māori history, the tribes of Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe and the Ngāti Kurī hapū of Ngāi Tahu successively settled around the coast, taking advantage of the rich marine and coastal resources. They built hilltop fortifications as lookout points and defensive shelters. The peninsula was dotted with numerous pā sites, mahinga kai (food gathering areas), mahinga toi (resource-gathering areas), and māra (gardens). Today Ngāti Kurī still hold mana whenua status after centuries of ahi kā (continuous occupation). Information panels on the walkway include stories of these first peoples.
Europeans arrived in the early 1800s, led by whalers who set about harvesting the then plentiful tōhora (southern right whale). The walkway takes you through historic whaling sites at Jimmy Armers beach, Fyffe House, and down a steep former whalers’ cliffside route to Whaler’s Bay. Today, whales are still vital to the iwi-owned and commercial companies which run world-renowned whale and seal watching tours.
Te Tai o Marokura Kaikōura peninsula coast and marine environment is a biological nodal point where north meets south and warm meets cold: northern and southern species overlap, with a rich variety of intertidal and sub-tidal habitats. Underwater, the deep Kaikōura Canyon, which meets up with the Hikurangi Trench makes this one of the most biologically diverse and densely populated marine environments of the east coast of Te Wai Pounamu South Island. Keep an eye out for native plants, birds and sea mammals.
The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway is a collaborative community project involving Whale Watch Kaikōura, Te Rūnanga ō Kaikōura, Kaikōura District Council, and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai.
See and do
The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway forms a loop from West End to Point Kean car park via the peninsula’s clifftop, with stunning views of the seaward Kaikōura Ranges and coastline. The trail then returns via South Bay and Tom’s Track.
Information panels along the route provide insights into the area's rich history, geology, and ecology. You will pass historic pā sites (Ngā Niho Pā), remnants of early European settlements (Fyffe House) and the vibrant marine life on the tidal platforms. Keep an eye out for tōhora (southern right whale), rimurapa (bull kelp), kekeno (seals) and kōura (crayfish).
The Kaikōura tītī (Hutton’s shearwater) colony sanctuary is adjacent to the walkway and protected by predator-proof fencing. It provides a rare opportunity to observe an active sea bird colony, especially at night when the birds return from feeding at sea.
Please follow the walkway’s distinctive posts and keep away from unfenced steep cliff edges, which are a fall risk. Take care to avoid trampling plants as the cliffs are being revegetated. Many birds and animals make the Kaikōura peninsula their home, so observe wildlife from a respectful distance. Remember to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring warm, windproof clothing, as the weather can change quickly.
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