OUR NEW ZEALAND HIKING TOURS
Kaikoura Coast Track
Hiking Bliss near Christchurch
Experience the stunning diversity of the Kaikoura region, exploring the Kaikoura Coast Track. Before setting off, immerse yourself in local wildlife with options like seal and dolphin watching. The track offers a mix of beachside paths, rolling farmland, native bush gullies, and hilltop views. Ideal for nature lovers, this short getaway combines adventure, scenic beauty, great company, and delicious food – without the heavy pack.
Next Available Departure
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17.12.2024 - 19.12.2024
- only 1 space left​
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$955 per person
Christchurch to Christchurch
3 Days / 2 Nights
Moderate Hiking Tour
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to your destination
Start
Christchurch ~ 9:00 to 9:30 am. Pick up options with tour confirmation.
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Finish
Christchurch ~ 7 pm.
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Included
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Transport in minibus from/to Christchurch
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Guided hiking on Kaikoura Coast Track (2 days)
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Luggage transport on track
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2 nights in Kaikoura Coast Track accommodation (bunk room)
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2x breakfast, 2x picnic lunch, 2x dinner, snacks
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Welcome drink on the first night
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Professional female guide/driver
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Kaikoura Coast Track fee
Only one tour date left of our dedicated Slow Hiking Tours.
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Not Included
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Any travel costs from your home to/from Christchurch
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Optional activities (Whale Watch Tour, Dolphin & Albatross Encounters, Guided Sea-Kayaking, Scenic Flight etc) - please see this optional activities overview for more info
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Recommended
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Sturdy hiking boots (uneven terrain)
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Hiking poles (save energy and help balance)
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Gaiters (several stream crossings)
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Required
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Sleeping bag
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Optional
Hire Equipment
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Sleeping bag & liner ($15 for entire tour)
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Hiking poles ($10 for entire tour)
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Gaiters ($10 for entire tour)
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Diet Adjustments
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Gluten-free ($5 per day)
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Dairy-free ($7 per day)
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Gluten-free & Dairy-free ($12 per day)
Other diet requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc) will be catered for free
of charge. You will be sent a Diet Requirement Form before tour departure.
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Preparing for your trip
​Once you’ve booked, we will send you Trip Notes including a detailed Gear List
and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.
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If you are looking for more information and inspiration for your tour,
you may want to check out some of these interesting posts in our
Sidetracks Women Blog:
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Please don't hesitate to contact us.
NZ$ 955 per person
min 6, max 9 participants
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Guaranteed Tours - G
These tours are confirmed to run and ready for you to book with confidence.
Available Tours - A
Once we reach the minimum number of participants, they will be guaranteed!
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Dates
Below dates can easily be combined with some of our other hiking tours - see tour calendar for available options
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Season 2024/25
17.12.2024 - 19.12.2024 KAI24-1712 - G
- only 1 space left
31.01.2025 - 02.02.2025* KAI25-3101- G
19.04.2025 - 21.04.2025 KAI25-1904 - A
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* Slow Hiking Tour Date
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​Are you a group of six or more?
We can customise any of our tours or organize a customized tour for your group. Please contact us.
Friendship Discount
Bring a friend along and you will both get $50 off your tour booking.
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Welcome Voucher
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Get a $50 Welcome Voucher when you subscribe to our newsletter
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Mention the voucher code in your tour booking to receive the discount
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It is valid for 30 days from the date you subscribe
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It can not be combined with a Friendship Discount
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Newsletter & fb Specials
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We regularly run specials, share interesting info and impressions of our tours. There are two ways we mainly communicate these - our newsletter and our facebook page
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To subscribe to our newsletter, write your email address in the field under JOIN US at the bottom of this page and click on SUBSCRIBE
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Click on this link to follow us on facebook
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Do both and you will never miss any of our specials!
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Enjoy coastal hiking bliss - easily combined with other tours
Get ready for an unforgettable trip along the stunning Kaikoura Coast. Imagine walking with only the sounds of nature around you. It's the perfect recipe for a relaxing getaway or an exciting adventure - the choice is yours.
​Enjoy the adventure of a multi-day hike without worrying about a heavy backpack. Only walk with a daypack and enjoy the freedom of movement this brings. Our luggage and a hot shower will be waiting for us at our warm, clean cottage when we arrive.
​If you want to explore the Kaikoura region, experience hiking in breath-taking nature and delicious meals in like-minded company – come join us!
This tour can be perfectly combined with our Banks Peninsula Track tour and/or our Island Hills Station Track tour. Or just enjoy an awesome three-day break in stunning nature.
Some tour dates on the Kaikoura Coast Track and the Banks Peninsula Track are dedicated Slower Hiking Tours.
Day 1: Drive Christchurch to Kaikoura, optional activities in Kaikoura
We meet at around 9 to 9:30am at your selected pick-up location in Christchurch and embark on a scenic drive of approximately 180 km (~ 2.5 hrs) to Kaikoura, arriving shortly before noon. This afternoon you can engage in a variety of optional activities (not included) in this wonderful place. The choice is yours, from a whale watch tour to dolphin swimming, an albatross encounter, a guided sea-kayak tour, or even a scenic whale watch flight. You can also choose a leisurely stroll along the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway or explore the township of Kaikoura. You can find more info on all your options in this optional activities overview. Your guide will make sure you have a chance to buy your lunch somewhere (not included).
Later in the afternoon we head back South for about 40 kms (~ 45 mins) to our first base on the Kaikoura Coast Track The Beach House (Ngaroma), from where we enjoy views over the Pacific Ocean and watch the sun setting over the Kaikoura Mountains. We can relax into our first evening together, ready to begin our hiking adventure tomorrow.
Driving time: ~ 3 hours
Accommodation: Track hut - The Beach House in Ngaroma
Meals: D
Day 2: Kaikoura Coast Track – Hiking Day 1
Our first day on the Coast Track begins with a van ride to the start of today’s walk. A great opportunity to hear some local stories from one of the landowners, who will drive us there in about 20mins.
The walk starts with a steady ascent that takes us through forestry slopes and regenerating bush. This includes protected beech trees, silver ferns and giant podocarp forest. When we reach the top of the Hawkswood Range panoramic views of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains and the Pacific Ocean open up all around us.
The route continues along the ridge with an optional side trip up to Skull Peak summit. At 489m it is the highest point on the trail and well worth the extra little effort. Just 15 minutes from here we reach Skull Peak shelter where we enjoy our lunch in a fabulous coastal panorama (see title pic). The track winds its way down from the tussock grasses at the top back to sea level, crossing rolling farmland and passing through native coastal bush. We arrive back at The Beach House where we can have a cold drink before we take our bus and drive about 30 minutes to Medina, a cosy farm cottage where we stay the night and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Hiking time: ~4-6 hours / ~13 km
Accommodation: Track hut - Medina Homestead
Meals: B, L, D, S
Day 3: Kaikoura Coast Track – Hiking Day 2 and drive to Christchurch
Prepare for a series of stream crossings that make today a bit more adventurous. We shorten the sometimes a bit strenuous walk along the beach by starting at Big Bush Beach. From here we will take our time to explore the beach as we walk on the sand past cliffs embedded with many fossilised shells. We will also keep an eye out to sea as we might spot some of the local marine wildlife like dolphins, seals or maybe even whales.
Then we turn off the beach and pass an ancient Maori camp site as we climb up to the cliff tops to take in sweeping views all the way from Banks Peninsula near Christchurch to Kaikoura Peninsula, where we were yesterday. From here we pass across a variety of landscapes, from farmland through ancient and regenerating bush, across streams and through narrow canyons.
We finish with hearts and minds filled with beautiful memories back at Medina Homestead where we spent the last night. We collect our luggage and enjoy a relaxed afternoon drive back to Christchurch, where we arrive around 7pm.
Driving time: ~ 2 hours
Hiking time: ~ 4-6 hours / ~ 11 km
Meals: B, L, S
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B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner S-Snack
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Grading of this tour: Grade 3 (Moderate)
The Kaikoura Coast Track is mainly well-formed; some sections may be rough or muddy, with some steep sections. Average hiking time on each hiking day is about 4-6 hours and altitude differences are around 400m. To enjoy the tour, it would be best if you had a reasonable level of fitness.
​You can find more info here: Our Hiking Track Trail Grading System explained
Map for ANM2912 tour which includes a walk and kayak in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park instead of Nydia Track