3 minute read
Road Trip - Blenheim to Kaikōura via SH 1
1 hr 50 mins - 128km
Trip 1 Blenheim to Kaikōura Map
© AA Traveller 2021
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Seal pup, Kaikōura
© Neil Protheroe
You’ll need to leave a good amount of extra time for this drive if you factor in the stops you’ll be tempted to make to fully appreciate the spectacular coastline and approaches to Blenheim.
Closed by the 2016 earthquake, it’s fascinating to drive this route now – just to appreciate the forces of nature still evident from the gigantic slips, and the magnificent feats of engineering gone into taming the effects of them.
As you approach Kaikōura, the SH 1 between Clarence and Oaro (20 minutes south of Kaikōura) is stamped with 20 sites featuring locally designed sculptures and seven safe places to stop and see them. Also on SH 1 is Ohau Point; a favourite spot from which to view the seal colony.
Kaikōura Peninsula
© Andrew Spencer Photography
KAIKŌURA Must-Do's
CRAYFISH Kaikōura is Māori for ‘to eat crayfish’ and that you must. Ample places serve the delicacy fresh from the sea.
KAIKŌURA MUSEUM This landmark contemporary building highlights Kaikōura’s rich and often surprising history.
FYFFE HOUSE Step inside Kaikōura’s oldest building; it’s the last remnant of a pioneer whaling station established in 1842.
MARINE LIFE Join a dolphin tour to see Kaikōura’s dusky dolphins. Whale watching byboat, plane or helicopter is also popular.
ALBATROSS CRUISE Known as the albatross capital of the world, both giant albatross and other pelagic birds swoop in to impress.
LAVENDYL Learn how lavender is grown and processed. Peruse the gift shop, gardens andtearoom or stay overnight.
On the road north of Kaikoura
© DWB
HIGHLIGHTS Along the Way...
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
© Ian Trafford
ŌMAKA AVIATION CENTRE This combines the hallmarks of ‘Wellywood’ with magnificent flying machines and nostalgia from both World Wars.
ŌHAU POINT Re-sculpted since the 2016 earthquake, seals like to lollop here.
YEALANDS VINEYARD A short drive off the main highway at Seddon leads to the impressive cellar door. So vast is this coastal property, it even has its own driving tour.
BLACK-SAND BEACHES Pull up at one of the parking bays and skip down to enjoy the gorgeous black sand beaches pounded by the thunderous Pacific Ocean.
PENINSULA SEAL COLONY AND WALKWAY AT KAIKŌURA Walk around this magnificent rocky coastline for panoramic views of the ocean, seals and sea birds.
WHALE WATCHING along Kaikōura’s coastline.
THE WINE STATION Located in the original (albeit renovated) Blenheim Railway Station, sample from 80 Marlborough wines and top it off with a gourmet platter.
MARLBOROUGH MUSEUM Detailing the area’s history with an emphasis on its wine industry, there’s a mock 1900s village and several carefully curated exhibits.
Check out BLENHEIM
Seaview Vineyard
© Yealands
A number of vineyards have impressive properties open to visitors to sample their fare and there are a number of decent eateries in town, too. Book a tour of Auntsfield Estate and visit the original cellar door as well as the site where Marlborough’s first vines were planted in 1873. A good introduction to the region’s rich history can be found at the Marlborough Museum, which features the development of wine making, plus early Polynesian settlement of the region. This sun-drenched valley is well known for its aviation history; visit the Ōmaka Aviation Heritage Centre to fly in a rare WWII V12 Fighter Plane and to find a handful of planes from Sir Peter Jackson’s own collection.
