You can begin your walk from the northern end at the carpark at Point Kean or from the southern end at South Bay. There is no public transport to these places, but it is possible to hire the Kaikoura shuttle.

There is a choice of routes over this walkway area. If you have several days in Kaikoura you may choose to try different walks. If you have limited time I suggest that you start at Point Kean, walk up the track and along the Clifftop walk to the Whalers Bay lookout, go down the track from there and return along the shoreline, checking that you do not programme the shoreline section near Point Kean at high tide.

View from the clifftop track source - Joe Levy

For this walk allow a half day. You will want to pause and view the birds, the seals and the scenery.

Gulls, both red-billed and black-backed, breed along the shoreline in November and December. Shags, oyster catchers, and herons can be seen here too. At low tide there are rock pools to explore.

Along the shoreline seals can be seen at close quarters, but it is dangerous to annoy them, especially a large bull or a mother seal with a newborn pup. I strongly recommend not getting between the seals and the sea.

Young seal source - Joe Levy

In the Mt Fyffe area
Mt Fyffe Forest Walk
Start from the Forest Walk carpark at the end of Mt Fyffe Road. Allow about two hours for this walk on the slopes of Mt Fyffe so that you have time to look at the trees in the native bush and at the lookout point enjoy the wide view of the Kaikoura plain and the sea. It is a loop track and I suggest that you walk the track anti-clockwise. The walk passes through regenerating formerly-logged forest. At the summit is a further loop track through virgin forest with an impressive stand of matai, rimu and totara.

Hinau Walk
This too is in the forest offering shade which is much appreciated in summer heat. Again you walk through regenerating forest, here with many dominant hinau trees. You will also see mahoe, putaputaweta, broadleaf, tree fuchsia and pigeonwood, and walk through a stand of kanuka. Some species are labelled on both these walks.

This starts from the Mt Fyffe car park beyond the south-west end of Postmans Road. It is a loop track and takes about 45 minutes. The track is easy walking and suitable for the whole family. When you reach the lookout you can see the Kowhai River, which looks small and innocent most of the time but is prone to flooding and caused a lot of damage in the Kaikoura township in 1993.

Mt Fyffe Summit Walk
This too starts at the Mt Fyffe carpark and follows a 4WD road to 1602 metres above sea level, and is out in the open. It is not available to vehicles. The road to the summit follows the long south-west ridge and the return journey takes about eight hours.

If you think that walk is too long you could walk to the hut - five hours return, or to the lookout point about an hour above the car park.

Birds
In this area you may see the brown creeper, tomtit, robin, bellbird, rifleman, wood pigeon, falcon and kea.

Mountain biking
Mountain bikes are permitted on the Mt Fyffe Track, but be aware that it is very steep and that walkers have the right of way!

Longer tramps
For details of longer walks and huts in the area talk to the staff at the Department of Conservation.

To the South
Lake Rotoiti
Again this a favourite area for birdwatchers. It is to be approached from the inland road through Lake Hills, the property of A. Dowle. Drive to the marked carpark and follow the track.

Lake Rotorua
This is reached from the south via the Kahutara River. Again the attraction is bird watching, especially pied shags feeding the young birds in their nests, great crested grebe and large numbers of paradise ducks.

Oaro south to the rail tunnel and Haumuri Bluff
This is a pleasant walk along the beach from the Oaro settlement. Park near the main road before walking through the settlement. Watch for trains when crossing the railway line. This walk takes an hour to the tunnel and another for boulder hopping at low tide to Piripaua - often called The Keyhole.

Lookout walk
This walk in the Omihi Scenic Reserve is described in Breaking the Journey. Remember to watch out for the trains when crossing the railway line.

North
Ohau Point and Stream
At Ohau Point 30 kms north of Kaikoura there is a clearly marked lookout area for viewing the seals. A little further north there is a short and shaded walk to a waterfall, also described in Breaking the Journey.

Fishing
You can fish from beaches, rocks and from the wharf near the Pier Hotel.

Exploring rock pools
At low tide opposite the aquarium and also at the end of the roads north or south of the Peninsula there are reefs and rock pools well worth exploring.

Picnicking
In addition to the beaches around the town and the Peninsula there is a very pleasant picnic area at the Puhipuhi Scenic Reserve up the Puhipuhi River. Turn off immediately north of the Hapuku River bridge. There is shade and the river is shallow and suitable for the family to play in the water.

Diving
Many people dive in the waters along the coast. Be careful to check which beaches along this rugged coast are safe for this sport. Services and advice are available in the dive shops in Kaikoura.

Surfing
A popular surfing beach is at Mangamaunu, 17.5 kms north of Kaikoura.

Boating, canoeing and sailing
There is ample opportunity to use your boat. Many people launch their larger boats from Armers Beach as the slipways built by groups are closed to non-members. Canoes can be launched from several locations.

Activities with a small charge
For a small fee you can view the audio visual show "See the Whales" at the Visitor Centre, swim at the swimming pool at Gooch's beach, visit the Museum in Ludstone Road, view Fyffe Historic House in Avoca Street or use the library across the road from the Visitor Centre.

The library is offering special holiday programmes on December 22 and 23 and in the last week of the summer holidays.

Sports clubs
If you wish to play golf, squash, tennis, croquet or bowls, inquire at the Visitor Centre about fees and access.

Read the second article in the series about Kaikoura...