Stunning Views along Kaikoura Coastal Track
From coastal ocean views to forestry slopes this track is the South Island’s hidden gem.
The Experience
From coastal ocean views to forestry slopes this track is the South Island’s hidden gem.
Kaikoura’s coastal track is a breathtakingly beautiful two day walk. Discover a coast with abundant marine life, tussock covered tops and farmland. You’ll relax at lunch shelters with great views while enjoying a hot drink. You’ll tramp through bush filled gullies to views of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains rising out of the vast Pacific Ocean.
What are you waiting for? This exclusive coastal walk is an ideal weekend getaway. Your hosts will take your luggage freeing you to walk unhindered. Each night you’ll enjoy comfortable upper-end backpacker accommodation provided by conservation minded farming families with a huge knowledge in the local area.
What to Expect
- The track is open from the 1st of October through to the 30th of April. It is closed between the 1st of May and the 30th of September.
Day one you arrive at Ngaroma, where you spend the fist night at your starting base of the Beach House. Here you will be met by hosts Heather & Bruce McFarlane. The hike will commence the following day along the beach. In total you will walk a total of 26km over the two day period before returning to your base of the Beach House.
Accommodation provided is in clean and comfortable cottages, each with fully equipped kitchens, flushing toilets and even hot showers! With backpacker/bunkhouse style bedding including pillows and clean pillowcases all you will need to bring with you is your sleeping bag. However, if you did desire, there is also an option to hire your linen, including sheets, duvets and towels by prior arrangement.
The added bonus of this hike is your local hosts will transport your luggage plus one chilly bin/box of food from inn to inn, so all you need to carry during the day is your own day pack. On the 2nd night there is a selection of items available to be purchased including pies, milk, bread and even beer and wine. If you prefer to have meals provided this too can be arranged for a small charge from breakfasts, cut lunches to two course home-styled meals that are prepared ready for you to cook/heat at your convenience.
Day by Day
First Night – The Beach House, Ngaroma
Your experience will begin with an evening at the Beach House, Ngaroma. Enjoy ocean views from the large bench seat, or snuggle up inside with a glass of wine. From here you can watch the sun setting over the Kaikoura mountains, which tower high above the Pacific Ocean. You’ll feel relaxed after a good night’s sleep ready to begin your adventure the following day.
Day One 4-6 Hours Walking
On the first day you’ll walk for approximately 13km. You’ll walk for two hours along the beach, past cliffs embedded with 8000 year old tree stumps and fossils. You may see seals or dolphins playing in the surf. You’ll enjoy lunch at the Circle Shelter amongst coastal bush. Finally you’ll walk across open farmland and through the conservation area of regenerating bush to the Medina homestead.
Tonight you will stay at The Whare, Medina. Nestled in a secluded corner of the home paddock, you’ll gain insight into the busy farm life on a remote backcountry sheep farm. Here you can relax, enjoy a hot shower and grab extra supplies such as bread, meat, milk, beer, wine and more.
Day Two 4-6 Hours Walking
Your second day will begin with a van ride to the start of the track where you’ll have 13km of beautiful scenery to immerse yourself in. You’ll cross forestry slopes to Buntings Bush stream and follow the bush-filled valley to the top of the Hawkswood Range. You’ll capture immense views of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. After lunch in the shelter of Skull Peak day hut, it’s down from the tussocks into bush and rolling farmland. You’ll finish back where you started at the Beach House at Ngaroma.
Grab your Friends
With a maximum of 10 people permitted on the walk at one time, grab a group of friends and enjoy this stunning track to yourselves! What a fantastic destination to discover for a secluded weekend away!
