Kaikoura Trail

From the mountains to the sea…

The four-day, fully guided, Tuatara Kaikoura Trail runs from Waiau to Kaikoura. This is the second leg of what has been described as the Alpine Pacific Triangle. It is also arguably the most interesting section of the triangle as it descends from the mountains to the sea – with a diverse range of landscape, vistas and geology.

On the trail you get to cycle the undulating parts and walk (off-road) the high country sections. The mix of walking and cycling has allowed Tuatara Tours to develop an achievable adventure which combines soaring mountain views with good cycling terrain past the green pastures of North Canterbury farms.

The accommodation is excellent with single rooms, bathroom en suite, and great meals at each facility. Venues range from a superb mountain ski lodge, a superior high country hunting lodge and (for the final night wind-down) an entertaining Irish pub in Kaikoura.

During the four-day tour you will enjoy spectacular views of the picturesque Lottery River Valley (looking back into the Hanmer basin), walk over the Whalesback Ridge (sighting Kaikoura from the summit), cycle down smooth roads with hardly a vehicle in sight, enjoy fantastic high country scenery, and walk around the spectacular rugged coastline that has made Kaikoura so popular.

When trialling this tour we were interested to see if the walk/cycle combination would appeal, or whether people preferred just one style of exercise over the other. What we found was that when dividing a typical five-hour day into (say) three hours of walking and two hours of cycling the variety was exciting and the muscles were better able to cope with the distance.

The chosen route covers both Department of Conservation land and private land – with the kind courtesy and permission of local farmers, who are justly proud of this part of the country. The tour begins and ends in Christchurch – unless you wish to stay longer in Kaikoura – where there is whale watching, fishing, dolphin watching and swimming, all of which we can help to arrange.

The philosophy at Tuatara is to combine the wonderful scenery of the South Island with challenging exercise… and include the additional enjoyment of a glass of wine at night with excellent cuisine in good quality accommodation – providing just the right mixture of ambience, exercise and relaxation.

The Kaikoura Trail includes:

Day One

Christchurch to Mt Lyford Village (16 km walk)

You depart from Christchurch and enjoy a scenic and informative drive through the Waipara wine region to the rural heartland of North Canterbury, in the Waiau/Hanmer region.

Your adventure then starts from Waiau with a 16km walk over stunning landscape, with a gentle climb through rolling private farmland up onto the ridgeline above the Lottery River. This is an interesting geological area.

You then continue through tussock and bushland until you arrive at the scenic alpine environment of the Mt Lyford Ski village. There you will be able to enjoy a relaxing hot spa and a long cool drink in the bar. The accommodation is excellent.

Day Two

Mt Lyford Village to the Waikene Lodge (7 km walk, 32 km cycle)

After breakfast you start with a short (5km) “warm-up” cycle to the Whalesback High Country Station – named because of huge hump ridge that rises suddenly up from the landscape.

The Whalesback Ridge (7km) walk is a spectacular event, taking you up around 800 metres and giving you commanding views over the surrounding countryside, right down to the Kaikoura coastline.

You then have lunch in the Conway River Gorge, before continuing your trail with a 27km cycle ride through lovely North Canterbury farmland until you reach your night’s accommodation at the secluded Waikene Lodge – which is well-known for the excellent hunting on the adjoining farm station. You will love the friendly lodge environment and enjoy the fabulous cuisine.

Day Three

From Waikene Lodge to Kaikoura (6 km walk, 30 km cycle)

The day starts off with a 6km “loop” walk, high above the Waikene station, which is one of best parts of the trip. You will see deer, cattle and sheep, and the views of the surrounding high country are stupendous.

After lunch you will then have a 30km gentle downhill cycle from the lodge, along sealed roads, through rolling farm country flanked by high peaks, until reaching your overnight accommodation near Kaikoura.

You will be staying at Donegals Irish Hotel, where Guinness and Kilkenny are both on tap and no less than 140 of the world's best Irish and Scottish whiskeys await on the shelf.

Day Four

Kaikoura (12 km cycle, 7 km walk)

Kaikoura is a major attraction for visitors. Its wildlife – which includes whales, dolphins, seals, birds and crayfish – provides you with a unique experience that can rarely be experienced in other parts of New Zealand. It is also an area that is rich in history and scenic beauty.

After breakfast you cycle 12 kms into Kaikoura to the start of the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. This track juts out to the sea from the rugged East Coast and has a spectacular backdrop of steep mountains, which are usually snow-capped.

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a marvellous 7km walking track which enables you to explore the richly endowed coastal area. Well-sited information panels assist you to learn about the fascinating history of the people (it is rich in Maori history), and the geology, as well as the animals and plants that make the area so special. You will be able to see seals basking on the rocks beside the sea and may sight whales or dolphins.

In the afternoon, the bus then returns you and your memories to Christchurch.