| Few
places in the world can boast of such natural wonders
as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura ....
The seaside settlement
of Kaikoura, situated midway between Christchurch and
Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South
Island, is overlooked by majestic mountains, which are
snow-capped for many months of the year.This unique combination
of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine
scenery and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities,
including Whale watching, Dolphin swimming, walks, and
much more!Whether you are looking for relaxation, nature,
excitement, art, history and culture, or fine wines and
cuisine, Kaikoura offers it all. Accommodation is extensive,
ranging from backpackers and holiday parks to bed &
breakfast, motels and lodges.
With a population of approximately 3,200 residents, the
Kaikoura township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding
from lush farmland beneath the mountains. In the waters
off the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an
abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds
making it an ideal place for getting 'close to nature'.
A town
with it's own fasinating history, archaeological remains
indicate that Moa Hunters inhabited the peninsula 900
years ago. In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the
Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished-up'
the North Island. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to
'meal of crayfish' (Kai - food, koura - crayfish), and
it is crayfish for which the region has traditionally
been famous. The area's abundant food sources attracted
Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa sites
can still seen on the peninsula to this day.
In 1770
Captain Cook first discovered the Kaikoura peninsula,
believing it to be an island. The first shore whaling
station was established in 1843, located near where Fyffe
House still stands today. Other whaling stations soon
followed, and at one stage the industry employed over
one hundred men in the Kaikoura district alone. Whale
numbers steadily declined after 1850 and the exportation
of them became un-economic, leading whalers to turn to
alternative means of existence, such as farming. Whaling
continued sporadically until as recently as 1964 when
the last of NZ' s whaling operations ceased.
Today,
the emphasis in Kaikoura is the conservation of marine
life, working with a sustainable tourist industry which
allows visitors from all over the world to appreciate
life in the ocean. In 1978, the Marine Mammal Protection
Act was finally passed, providing total protection to
New Zealand' s whales, dolphins and seals. Kaikoura lies
within the Southern Hemisphere Whale Sanctuary.
... abundant on the Kaikoura Peninsula & coastline
Several
different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at
different times of the year, but almost always the huge
Sperm Whales. Flukes lifting clear at the start of the
deep dive, adolescent male Sperm Whales enjoy the rich
diet of the Kaikoura waters while building up their strength
to move to the mating grounds of the warm north. Regularly
diving to depths of one kilometre, Sperm Whales have been
known to dive to 3 kilometres, holding their breath for
up to two hours - perhaps gulping down a few groper or
wrestling with a giant squid.
The
clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura,
and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors. And
everywhere the fun loving Dusky Dolphin. Fur seals, once
almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting
on warm rocks after a nights fishing. Seabirds, also enjoying
the rich sea harvest, are abundant.
Kaikoura
is part of the popular Alpine Pacific Triangle, a touring
route which links it with the Hurunui district.
Kaikoura
. . . the meeting place. |
