stotz

We have three nights at/near Christchurch before heading off to Sydney and we want to take a whale watching trip. We will have a car. Is it advisable to stay the night in Kaikoura or should we spend all three nights in Christchurch? Any other advice for the whale watching trip? Any other excursions you recommend for the Christchurch area?

ALF

Its not that far to Kaikoura; I'd do it as a day trip. We've gone out twice, and both times were rewarded with several sperm whale sightings, not to mention plenty of dusky dolphins.

We liked taking the TranzAlpine train up to Arthur's Pass. The train winds its way up gorges on high trestles, with great views. You get a few hours at the Pass while the train continues on to Greymouth, turns around and picks you up for the return trip. Enough time for lunch and a nice walk.

Given that you have a car, you could drive over Arthur's Pass and overnight on the west coast. This might be too ambitious for your time frame, though.

Near the airport, you will find the Antarctic Centre, a fun and interesting visitor center/museum. Also near the airport is the Orana Wildlife Reserve, a great zoo.

Melnq8

Other activities you might consider in/around Christchurch:

Sumner Beach and the port town of Lyttelton - nice scenic drive, many cafes, etc.

Taylor’s Mistake & Godley’s Head - lots of hiking/biking trails

Akaroa/Banks Peninsula - 90 minute drive from CHC - cruises, dolphin and penguin viewing, hiking, etc

Mt. Somers, Mt. Hutt and Rakaia Gorge area - west of CHC - jet boating, hiking, sleepy area, but really pretty

Waipara Valley - wine region about 40 minutes north of CHC

Within CHC - Cathedral Square, punting on the Avon, the botanic gardens, the arts center, Canterbury brewery, gondola, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, etc.

csreilly

When we went to Kaikoura for a whale watch we had been up in Marlborough the night before and drove to Kaikoura in the morning, intending to do the whale watch and then stay overnight in town. However, after our whale watch (which was great by the way!) we realized that the town of Kaikoura didn't have much for us to do for the rest of the day, the evening and the next morning. So we decided to skip right on to Christchurch, arriving there one day earlier than planned. One thought is to go Hanmer(?) Springs as your overnight following the whale watch. Then make your way to ChCh?

thit_cho

I went with whalewatch.co.nz in December, and even though it was a very nice, sunny day, it was windy on the water, and only two trips were made that day (out of a dozen or so scheduled). We were lucky and were on one of the two.

So, if its very important, you many want to stay in Kaikoura, which will give you flexibility.

I posted some photos of the whale watch trip and the sperm whales on this forum -- the thread has descended, but should be simple to find if you are interested.

Michael

PJTravels

We just returned from a month on the south island and I have yet to post my trip report.

We spent a night in Kaikoura at a wonderful b&b called Bush and Sea run by a sweet young couple. We also had an excellent meal at a restaurant there called 42 degrees. We did not whale watch. The purpose of our trip was wine tasting which we did on the way up from ChC, and also on into Marlborough.