Why go
- Town in the South Island of New Zealand.
- Served by Kaikoura Airport (KBZ).
History
Kaikōura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, located on State Highway 1, 180 kilometres (110 mi) north of Christchurch. The town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,350 as of June 2025. Kaikōura is the seat of the territorial authority of the Kaikōura District, which is part of the Canterbury region. In 2023, Kaikōura was named as one of the "most beautiful small towns in the world".
Restaurants & places to go
25 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Milder and quieter, with better value.
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Kaikoura Airport (KBZ). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: Whale Watch departure, 1.6 km).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kaikoura, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.