Experience the best of Kaikōura

Kaikōura sits on a peninsula on the east coast of the South Island, with the snow-capped Seaward Kaikōura Range rising almost straight from the shore. The name means meal of crayfish in Māori, and crayfish, or rock lobster, have long been the town's trade. A deep submarine canyon comes close to the coast, so that sperm whales feed offshore all year, and a walkway round the peninsula gives views of seals, seabirds and the mountains.

Boat trips go out to watch sperm whales, dusky dolphins, which gather in large pods, and, in winter, humpback whales passing on their migration. At Ohau Point, north of town, fur seal pups play in a stream below a small waterfall. Walkers climb Mount Fyffe for views over the plains and the sea, and Marlborough's vineyards lie to the north.

Crayfish, grilled or boiled, is sold from roadside caravans and served in cafés, along with paua, mussels and blue cod. Summers are warm and bright, winters crisp with snow on the peaks, and the whales and dolphins can be seen in every season.