New Zealand Three Night Kaikoura from Christchurch

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Christchurch to Kaikōura with Christchurch Touring Company, where coastal beauty, wildlife encounters, and rich cultural experiences await. This scenic journey winds through the breathtaking Canterbury landscape, offering stunning views of rolling farmland, rugged coastline, and the majestic Kaikōura Ranges. Along the way, guests enjoy personalized commentary, comfortable transport, and stops at hidden gems, culminating in the charming seaside town of Kaikōura—famous for its whale watching, fresh seafood, and Māori heritage. It’s the perfect day adventure for those based in Christchurch, combining nature, relaxation, and discovery into one seamless, guided experience.

On arrival

Experience Kaikōura’s vibrant marine ecosystem in one epic day with the Dolphin, Albatross & Whale Encounter Combo. Begin with Dolphin Encounter, where you’ll set off on a purpose-built vessel to swim with or observe playful dusky dolphins—globally renowned for their acrobatic displays—and perhaps glimpse fur seals on rugged reefs. After reconnecting on land, climb aboard a whale-watching cruise with Whale Watch Kaikōura, offering a near 95% sighting success rate for majestic sperm whales—and the chance to spot orca, humpbacks, blue whales, and bottlenose dolphins. As you glide through nutrient-rich upwellings, seabirds circle overhead and wandering and royal albatrosses often soar by—completing your full-circle wildlife immersion . Throughout the day, expert guides share deep insights into Kaikōura’s unique ecology, ensuring each sighting is rich in wonder and education. Whether you’re snorkeling with dolphins, spotting albatross, or witnessing grand whales breach, this combo delivers an all-encompassing, unforgettable encounter with nature at its finest.

If you are short on time

Wings Over Whales offers premier whale watching flights in and around Kaikōura, Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide unforgettable and unique adventures which allow you to experience nature from a whole new perspective. Join us to capture the best of Kaikōura by air, land and sea.

Take your whale watching to new heights—literally! Join Wings Over Whales Kaikōura for an unforgettable 30-minute scenic flight that combines the thrill of spotting whales with the breathtaking beauty of Kaikōura’s coastline and mountains.

From the air, you’ll enjoy the best possible view of the entire whale—something you simply can’t get from a boat. Watch in awe as the massive sperm whales, reaching up to 18 metres long, glide through the deep waters of the Kaikōura Canyon. With your own window seat in our high-winged aircraft, you’ll have unobstructed views of these ocean giants and the stunning marine environment they call home.

Another great adventure is; The Kaikoura Experience with EcoZip

Embark on The Kaikōura Experience with EcoZip, a thrilling and eco-conscious zipline adventure that immerses you in the spectacular landscapes surrounding Kaikōura. Beginning with a scenic 4×4 Unimog ride through the braided Kahutara River onto the sprawling Rakanui Station, you’ll then trek through native bush guided by passionate local experts. Next comes the adrenaline rush: five epic dual ziplines—ranging from 250 m to 620 m—spanning over 2.2 km and reaching speeds up to 70 km/h, all while you glide side-by-side with a friend. During the experience , guides share stories of the region’s Māori and farming heritage,  This 3.5-hour,  adventure isn’t just about thrills it is also about beautiful sights, nature and conservation efforts by Eco Zip.

Accommodation

There are great choices, from Luxury Lodges, Motels and Hotels.

Our choices are  – The White Morph , Sudima Kaikoura, Hapuku Lodge, Manakau Lodge

Seal Kayak Kaikōura
Let us take you on an adventure, exploring the Kaikōura peninsula’s-coastline whilst taking in the awe-inspiring Kaikōura ranges from the water. Revel in the excitement of having an intimate encounter with NZ fur seals(Kekeno) both on the land and in the ocean. The unique pedal system that powers you around the ocean is silent and gives you the most incredible opportunity to view wildlife, such as seals, penguins and native seabirds, without disturbing them. Our tours combine both local Indigenous history and post-colonial whaling and sealing alongside the most informative small-tour wildlife experience Kaikōura has to offer. We have a 100% success rate of viewing the New Zealand Fur Seal.

The kayaks we use are made by Hobie Cat, one of the leading boating and kayak companies in the world. Explore with family and friends by booking one of our New Zealand sea kayak adventures!

In the afternoon the Mt Fyffe Distillery is well worth the journey for a famous Gin Tasting

Tonight experience dinner under the stars as well as guided Night Sky Experience

Embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque North Canterbury region of New Zealand, beginning with a visit to the stunning Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park. Nestled in the hills near Waipara, this unique outdoor gallery showcases impressive large-scale sculptures set against a dramatic limestone landscape. Continue your journey through rolling vineyards to Greystone Wines, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive private lunch paired with award-winning organic wines, all while taking in panoramic views of the Waipara Valley. After a leisurely afternoon, the adventure continues with a drive to the charming alpine village of Hanmer Springs, renowned for its thermal pools, mountain scenery, and relaxed atmosphere—a perfect way to round out your day of art, wine, and natural beauty.

Enjoy lunch at Greystone Winery

Our Greystone journey began in 2000 when the Thomas family discovered a unique piece of land in the Omihi Hills of New Zealand’s Waipara Valley. The limestone-rich soil, born from an ancient seabed, captured our imagination and inspired us to dream big.

In 2004, our vision became a reality as we planted thirteen blocks of vines across the Omihi slopes. Now, over twenty years later, we continue to take our role as stewards seriously. Regenerative viticulture and organic winegrowing practices ensure we are working in harmony with our land.

Today, Greystone stands as a testament to what can be achieved with passion, hard work, and a deep respect for the land. We are proud to continue our journey, crafting wines that capture the essence of our home in the Omihi Hills and sharing them with the world.Embark on a not-to-be-missed wine & food journey in the heart of Waipara Wine Country.
Whether you pop around for a wine tasting or settle in for a long lunch, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Greystone Cellar Door. Let Chef Théo Dubost delight you with his acclaimed locally-inspired menu, while our Cellar Door team shares the perfect pairing for your palate.

After lunch enjoy a Jetboat ride with Hanmer Springs Jet Boats

Power through the spectacular Waiau River canyon with spins and thrills galore on this action-packed Hanmer Springs Jet Boat ride! Experience travelling across just centimetres of water and rotating through exhilarating spins as your qualified and professional jet boating driver navigates you through narrow gorges, braided shallows and rapids on a twin-engine jet boat. A must-do activity suited to both adventure-seekers and families alike.

On arrival in the town have a pre dinner soak at Hanmer Springs Spa and Hot Pools at the thermal park 

For decades people from all over the world have flocked to Hanmer Springs to relax and enjoy our thermal pools.

But did you know that the water you’ve been enjoying for all those years is actually 173 years old?

The water in our thermal pools starts as snow and rain falling on the Hanmer Springs mountains. It seeps into the Greywacke basement rock and comes to rest in a reservoir some two kilometres underground, where it is warmed by heat radiating from the earth’s core. Today, we draw the water to the surface and use it for bathing and heating purposes.

In addition, we’ve been working hard to improve the quality of our facilities to ensure they’re truly world class.

That includes the recent redesign of our main changing rooms (now featuring luxurious underfloor heating!)

So sit back, relax, and enjoy what nature created all those years ago!

The drive from Hanmer Springs back to Christchurch is a delightful 130‑kilometre route that takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours under normal conditions
Must Do New Zealand  Departing the alpine spa village, you’ll  reconnect with State Highway 7, winding past the Hurunui and Waiau rivers through gently rolling farmland framed by distant Southern Alps along the way, charming country towns like Culverden and Amberley are perfect for stretching your legs, visiting a café, or grabbing local produce before reaching the vineyards of the Waipara Valley .As you descend onto the Canterbury Plains, the landscape softens, leading into Christchurch’s urban tree-lined streets. It’s an easygoing, scenic drive that blends mountain charm, river valleys, and pastoral beauty, making it a relaxed finale to a South Island adventure.