Located about 2 hours drive north of Christchurch, Kaikoura is something of a success story. Only 20 years ago, the sleepy seaside town was on the brink of economic ruin. The local Maori community then set up the first commercial whale watching trips in New Zealand, taking visitors out by boat to see mighty sperm whales that gather in the deep waters just a few miles offshore.
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Now, as well as these trips, you can view the whales from the air, swim with seals, snorkel with acrobatic dusky dolphins and watch a whole host of interesting sea birds. Kaikoura is also an excellent place to experience Maori culture, especially for those only visiting the South Island.
Add to this the dramatic scenery of the coast and its backdrop of steep mountains, which provide excellent hiking and the chance to ski New Zealand’s newest slopes, as well as some excellent seafood and it is not hard to see why Kaikoura is so popular with visitors.
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Northland