Kaikoura Wilderness Walks

Kaikoura Wilderness Walkway

The Kaikoura Wilderness Walkway traverses the untamed wilderness of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains through native forest, riverbeds and dramatic alpine terrain. Overlooked by one of the highest peaks of them all - the legendary “Te Ao Whekere” or “World Of The Gods”, this track, along with the expert interpretation provided by our guides, provides an extraordinary insight into the evolution and biodiversity of New Zealand’s world-famous landscapes.

You will need to have at least average fitness with good mobility and be able to walk for 5 - 7 hours over mountain tracks each day, however we encourage you to walk at your own pace.

The Kaikoura Wilderness Walkway is known for its dramatic diversity over a relatively short distance over two days and a total of 17kms. The track takes you through stands of manuka and kanuka, untouched beech forests and pristine, ancient totara forest. There is a huge array of plant life and you will also enjoy the amazing wildlife on show, from the birds – rifleman, warbler, tomtit, falcon, pipit, NZ robin, white-eye, fantail, kereru, kingfisher and more – to larger animals such as chamois and deer. The area is also well known as a habitat of the black-eyed gecko and Kaikoura scree weta, and contains one of only two nesting colonies in the world of the endangered seabird the Hutton’s shearwater .

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks offer 2 day/1 night and 3 day/2 night Kaikoura to Kaikoura all-inclusive guided walks. These packages include transport, accommodation, meals, snacks, luggage transport, and the use of daypacks and wet weather gear if needed. All accommodation is at Shearwater Lodge, which has six guest rooms, all with made-up super-king or twin beds, ensuite bathrooms and private decks.

Walking the Kaikoura Wilderness Walkway

Day 1

We will arrange meet you at our muster point in Kaikoura at 9.30am and transport you via a very scenic route, firstly along the Kaikoura Coast, then up one of the most spectacular valleys in New Zealand, the Puhi Puhi Valley. The drive to the start of the Kaikoura Wilderness Walk track will take approximately 40 minutes. Your luggage will be transported for you to Shearwater Lodge – your overnight accommodation. It is important that you pack those items required for the duration of the walk and leave non essential items behind as this assists in the efficient management of the experince. Daypacks and wet weather gear are available for your use if required.

The first portion of the walk is a pleasant mix of bush and forest environments; kanuka/manuka, beech, and fern dominate; also there are specimens of rimu and totara. This portion of the track takes approx. 1.5 - 2 hours and climbs to the vantage point "Totara Saddle", where we have lunch.

After lunch the track begins with a downhill section from Totara Saddle to the stream below, then a steady walk up through beech forest for approximately an hour, then through ancient totara forest. Although the track gradually ascends for the next two hours, the magnificence of the forests that surround you simply distracts you from this fact until at the end of the forest, you come out (quite unexpectedly) onto alpine meadows covered in mountain daisies!

Traversing along these alpine meadows is fairly even going and then a short climb to another saddle, up over the top and ...!! There’s your first view of the Lodge – and what a fantastic view of it in its wider setting. You are now just over an hour from Shearwater Lodge and have to negotiate a downhill section with the final uphill part of the track to the Lodge taking about 15-minutes and.....success, you have arrived!!

Refreshing drinks from the chiller as you arrive, soon make you forget that last section of the walk to the Lodge, which may have been somewhat of a struggle after a full days walking, but as the ice chinks in your glass or the top comes off that cold bottle, you'll be feeling mighty good about now...!!

Relax for while, take a rest, settle into your room. After a soothing shower to freshen up, from your own private deck, or the large deck off the main room, simply take in the atmosphere and let the cares of the world become a distant memory. A complimentary glass of wine or beer is on hand to assist the winding down process before dinner is served

Day 2

Day two is split into two sections:

Firstly, after a hearty breakfast, there is an optional morning loop walk above the Lodge into the dramatic alpine scenery. On this section the track traverses the gentle valley floor of Happy Valley and walkers enjoy the alpine vista of spectacularly rugged mountains which rise steeply from each side of the valley. A keen eye should be on the alert for red deer, Arapawa sheep and the elusive and nimble chamois.

Leaving the valley we climb up onto a high ridge eventually arriving at Surveyor's Peak some 5000ft above sea level. The panoramic views from here are simply breathtaking and if the skies are clear, you can see as far south as Banks Peninsula and as far north as the eastern coast of the North Island. Camera's click to capture the vistas and provide memories of an occasion and experience rarely obtainable. It's then back down to the Lodge returning some four hours after leaving.

The second section of day two happens after a leisurely lunch and then it is time for the final section, the walk out. We take a different path to that taken on the way in and much of this track is downhill. Once again there are plenty of opportunities to see the birdlife and wild animals as we make our way down to where it all began the day before. It's normally about 4.00pm when we meet the transport ( with your luggage already loaded) and it's all aboard for the final part of the journey back to Kaikoura.

Three Day Option

For those of you wanting to spend longer in this wonderful environment, the 3 day / 2 night option is ideal. This gives you an extra day and night to either relax or do some exploring, maybe climb to the top of one of the nearby peaks, or explore the streams and bushlands below the Lodge.

Packages

Note our walk season operates from 1st October to 31st March each year.

- 2 day walk - starts Wednesdays

- 3 day walk - starts Fridays

2010/2011 season

If you would like more information on the Track just fill out our enquiry form or send us an email. Full itineraries and scheduled departure dates are available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.  Should there be anything that you need to know, not covered here, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Should I stay in Kaikoura the night before departure?
You need to be at the pick-up point, generally your accommodation, by 9.30 am on the morning of the walk. Most people prefer to stay the previous night in Kaikoura and we can recommend various accommodation options for you. Kaikoura is 2.5 hours from Christchurch and 2 hours from Picton. It is possible to travel there in the morning, however, allow time for delays. In this case you will be met at the Kaikoura Information Centre, where your guides can arrange off-street parking.  Post-walk, we recommend staying a few more days as there are many quality activities to do in Kaikoura and we can arrange activities if you so wish.

What clothing do I need to bring?
Preferably comfortable, worn-in hiking boots with good ankle support or, alternatively, sturdy shoes with good ankle support. Suitable clothes for walking, warm hat, gloves and jacket, shorts or long trousers, walking socks, wet weather gear. Please remember Lodge footwear for the evening - slippers, sandals/light shoes, or comfy socks.

Do I have to carry a pack?
You only require a day pack for personal items, eg any medication, drink bottle, camera, etc, together with wet weather gear, as all luggage is transported to the Lodge. 

NB Please take as little luggage into the Lodge as possible. Holdalls are available for loan for this purpose. Left luggage will be kept secure, if not left at your Kaikoura accommodation, ie hotel/motel. Just take what you will need for the 2/3 days.

How long is the walk?
Having arrived at the beginning of the track your guide will give you a short briefing before setting off. The walk will begin at approximately 10.15am, and by approximately 12.15pm you will have reached Totara Saddle, where lunch awaits.  We have a lunch break of approximately 45 minutes, before proceeding on the afternoon walk, through beech and kanuka forests and, later, ancient totara forest.  The Lodge comes into view about an hour before we reach it – approximately 4pm. By 5.30pm you will probably be socialising on the main deck with your fellow walkers and enjoying a nice cold drink!  The distance walked on day one is 8.5km.  Day two begins with an optional walk of a similar distance but with vastly different landscapes; you will walk through some of the most dramatic, spectacular alpine scenes imaginable. It is a loop walk and arrives back at Shearwater Lodge for lunch.  We then depart the Lodge around 2pm, and reach the end of the track about 4pm where transport back to Kaikoura will be waiting. You will be back in Kaikoura around 5pm.

Will I be fit enough?
You need average fitness with good mobility and be able to walk for 5 -7 hours over mountain tracks each day. The track surface varies from smooth, well formed paths to uneven terrain with occasional rocks, stones and tree roots. Your guide will ensure a walking pace suitable to the level of fitness of the group and there will be regular stops. 

Is there alcohol at the lodge?
Yes - New Zealand wine will be served with dinner.

Are there any insects?
Generally there are very few but it’s a good idea to carry insect repellent just in case; anyone allergic to bee or wasp stings should carry appropriate medication.