Kaikoura Coast Hiking Tour  

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 enjoy delicious meals in like-minded company – come join us!

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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 (~ 3 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 with our welcome drink, ready to begin our hiking adventure tomorrow.

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Driving time: ~ 3 hours / ~ 180 km plus ~ 45 mins / ~ 40 km

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.

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Driving time: ~ 20 mins plus ~ 30 mins

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.

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Driving time: ~ 2  hours / ~ 150 km

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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​Tour Grading 

🥾 Kaikoura Coast Track – Grade 3 (Easy / Moderate)

The Kaikoura Coast Track falls under our Grade 3 category due to its walking time of around 4 to 6 hours per day and elevation gain of up to 400 metres. That said, the track itself is technically easy. The paths are well-formed, and while there are a few stream crossings, these only become a bit more challenging after heavy rain.

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👉 Our recommendation

A great option for women who are new to multi-day hiking and in good general health. You don’t need any special experience – just a sense of adventure and a willingness to give it a go!

​You can find more about how we grade our tours here: → Our Hiking Track Grading System explained

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Want a little more - Combine with another tour

This walk starts just one day after the Banks Peninsula Track ends - with a single night in Christchurch in between, which we're happy to organise. Two coastal walks, two completely different worlds. If this seven day combination interests you, get in touch and we'll work out a combined price.

Possible combo dates: 29 Nov - 5 Dec 2026 and 8 - 14 March 2027 

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