I parked the car at Pukerua Bay Station and took a bus to Paekakariki Station where I started my walk (I walked the route in January 2025, when the trains were temporarily replaced by buses). The route can be walked in both directions, but walking from north to south seems a little easier. On a good day sunset views are amazing.

Great trail with amazing views all the way. Did it north to south and seeing how many stairs there were going up from the other way I think it was a good decision. The trail is pretty thin in some places but if you take your time it’s not that hard really. Lots of ups and downs! About 11km all up including the last couple of km along the flat track to the trains station.

Great track if you are not afraid of heights. Some parts were a bit windy, but it was really the combination of height, cliff edge, wind, and the sound of the sea that made it intense.

What an escarp Nice hike. Was hard. The veiws dont change much so the effort of the hike isnt rewarded. You can get the same veiws really from the beach. Bridges are fun. Hills are not.

Be careful of classic Kiwi understatement- this is a hard but fantastic hike. The steps are killers...make sure you get some Stairmaster in beforehand.

An exhilarating hike with gusty wind so a bit scary. Edge cliff with no handles. About 10km from Pukerua to Paekakariki. Took the train back to Pukerua. Love it!!!

Easier to travel from north to south. Would recommend doing it either earlier or later on in the day when the sun isn’t at its peak as it’s a quite exposed track and gets very hot!

You can not beat wellington on a good day. That saying also brings true for Plimmmerton Beach. The beach itself is massive and has plenty of spots for everyone, so it is hard to feel crowded. The sand is flat and warm, which makes it perfect for taking off your jandals or sandals. The water is always warm, which makes it a delight to slowly wade into after catching some runs on shore. Top all of that off with picturesque views over the harbour, and you have a perfect spot for a day of sun and sand. Highly recommend to anyone in the wellington area to check out this prime spot

Cool spot all year around. Dog loves it (south end only) as well as the kids. Safe beach for swimming and windsurfing. Lots of cool shells at the southern end as well as a historic machine gun post. Toilets and car parking available too.

It’s not a beach at all. If you want to go for swimming it’s fine.

Originally a small seaside resort, Plimmerton was named after the so-called "Father of Wellington", John Plimmer, also immortalised as a statute with his dog at the foot of 'Plimmer Steps' in the city. Now it's a sought-after suburb & one of our happy places for summertime visits thanks to some beautiful swimming holes & rockpools, friendly community, quirky seaside houses & marina lifestyle.

Plimmerton beach is a good flat beach on the west coast of Wellington. It has safe surf levels and a very gradual change in depth, which is ideal for kids and less confident swimmers. Because it is more sheltered and shallower than other beaches around Wellington, it tends to be a bit warmer in the sea. Lots of good sand to play and build sand castles in. The kids and I had a fun few hours there and will be going back. Definitely worth going along on a nice sunny day.

Spectacular view and a quiet beachfront. Great for walking and biking. Best of what New Zealand has to offer without the crowd!

The best thing about the beach is the view and that you can easily walk in the water. There is always a spot free even if it's crowded!

#NZ 04 2024 FamilyTrip# A good experience, used ferry to crossover from North island to South island. All workers and procedure runs well, everything well managed. Just follow the instruction when booked online. There are meals inside ferry. Can choose & pay according to own choices. Else, just sit at any seat provided. Just.. Toilet not well maintained. Need to have cleaner & fix faulty doors.

Easy boarding with a vehicle to head to the South Island . Staff are exceptionally trained , very efficient & friendly. The ferry departed on time and arrived at the Picton terminal precisely on schedule . Amenities and restaurants were clean throughout the vessel . Seating ample & very comfortable. I spent a fair bit of the trip on the upper viewing deck & thoroughly enjoyed the pristine sights along this remarkable trip. Highly recommended for great service & reasonably priced value .

Brilliant service and an excellent way to enjoy the trip across the straight while taking in some of NZ's best scenery. Booking the plus lounge is worth every dollar.

It is pricy but on a good day you get spectacular views on the sands. People and staff was friendly and professional. You wait a little between check-in and being loaded on the ship. Don’t come too early, if you are there by check-in time or a little before it is absolutely fine. Relax and enjoy. I was surprised that prices for e.g. coffee on board were rather reasonable. Ferry was on time and everything went smooth - we can recommend it.

Nice and very helpful and friendly staff. They took us all though we came too later and all gates have been closed already!! Thank you interislander company for this treat, we appriciated it very much! Awesome view especially in the sounds- lots of dolphins around that day. Quietly atmosphere on the boat (sitting and food area) and super helpful interaction on the boat while our cruise. Warm meals available! Thank you for a awesome nice very warm hearted kiwi experience!

Our experience at the terminal and the ferry itself was quite pleasant. Fast and efficient service and a large selection of food and driks.

When travelling from Wellington to Picton on the water you’ll love the old school style and convenience of the MV Kaitaki. This is a roll-on/roll-off ferry built in 1995. It has a great covered in viewing area and good bar with plenty of PowerPoints for working on your lap top. A simple but well prepared menu and super well trained staff make this a really enjoyable trip. Relax and enjoy.

Excellent tour hosted by Julie-Rose, such an interesting and energetic guide with lots of knowledge. Really enjoyed the tour and exhibition. Highly recommended

So beautiful place, I love seeing how New Zealand keeps these types of places clean and tidy. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the tour but I 100% recommend it as a place you must visit if or if you come to Wellington. 😍👏🏻🇳🇿🇳🇿🎉

Group of parliament buildings including the beautiful old parliament library, old parliament building and the Beehive. There is also a small childrens play area close to the entrance. Parking might be difficult, but you can find some spot on the street.

Nice to visit and take photos, and there’s also a park for walking and relaxing.

Very interesting and informative guided tour of the Parliament Buildings. Free but need to book in advance. Recommended.

Parliament’s Complicity in the Madleen Kidnapping Israeli Piracy in International Waters & Parliamentary Silence The Incident: State-Sanctioned Piracy** On June 9, 2025, the IDF violently **boarded the humanitarian vessel *Madleen* in international waters**, kidnapping its 12 unarmed crew members—including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan . The ship carried only symbolic aid (rice, baby formula) to Gaza, where 2.1 million people face starvation under Israel’s illegal blockade . Israel’s own video proof confirms this act of piracy: Naval forces jammed communications, sprayed chemicals, and abducted civilians . 🇳🇿 **Parliament’s Shameful Inaction** While New Zealand politicians issue hollow statements about "international law" and "human rights," their response to this crime is a disgrace: Silence on Kidnapping: No condemnation of Israel’s abduction of civilians in international waters—a blatant violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea . **Empty Rhetoric:** Foreign Minister Winston Peters claims to advocate for Gaza but refuses concrete action. His "grave concern" is worthless while NZ trades freely with Israel . **Complicity via Apathy:** Parliament funded $29.5M in Gaza aid yet tolerates aid ships being hijacked. This is hypocrisy . 📢 **What Parliament MUST Do** 1. **Summon the Israeli Ambassador** and demand the immediate release of all *Madleen* detainees. 2. **Support ICC Prosecutions** for IDF officials involved in piracy and Gaza war crimes . 3. Sanction Israel:** Suspend military/intelligence ties and enforce a travel ban on complicit officials . 4. **Emergency Debate:** Reconvene to condemn this act and mobilize regional allies (Australia, Indonesia) against Israeli aggression . **Rating Justification** One star for a Parliament that prioritizes diplomatic cowardice over justice. While Māori rights protesters perform haka in your halls , you lack the courage to even *name* Israel’s crimes. The *Madleen* kidnapping is a test: Act now, or forever be complicit in genocide. Aotearoa Citizen If not now, when? If not us, who?” (UPDATE) I'm updating my review and adding 2 more stars due to a recent statement from Luxon that he opposes Israel's illegal action. I will alter this review further if our government holds their ground against the bullying tactics of Israel and the US.

Wonderful tour. A must go in Wellington Get to see the places you normally see on TV. We were there on public holiday and lucky that there were no meetings in the Parliament. Such that we could visit every possible places. It would be perfect if we could go inside the beehive. Booking is a must. The guided tour is quite popular.

Great experience. The strong point of this museum is their story telling ability. The Anzac war effort in Turkey has been so well exhibited. One of my favourite museums. Highly recommended.

I had an absolutely fantastic time visiting the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington! The war exhibition was incredibly moving and well-curated, offering deep insights into New Zealand’s military history with engaging displays and detailed narratives. The nature exhibition was equally impressive, showcasing the country’s unique biodiversity in a way that was both educational and visually stunning. I particularly enjoyed learning about the Māori way of living, which was presented with respect and authenticity, providing a rich understanding of their culture, traditions, and history. Overall, the museum is a treasure trove of knowledge, beautifully blending interactive exhibits with informative content. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Wellington!

If you love museums and history, this is an absolute must-visit when you’re in Wellington, New Zealand. The museum offers an impressive collection showcasing New Zealand’s natural history, from its unique plants and animals to fascinating exhibits on the country’s connection with earthquakes and volcanoes. One of the highlights is the earthquake simulator, which gives you a firsthand experience of what an actual earthquake feels like — both educational and memorable. Before you leave, make sure to head up to the roof deck for a beautiful view of the Wellington Harbour and parts of the CBD. A well-curated and engaging museum that’s perfect for visitors of all ages — a great way to learn more about New Zealand’s unique environment and heritage.

Best musuem I have ever been to. It was stunning. All the information and hands on parts were so cool. We went to the main floor to kill some time before our check in and were blown away by how interesting everything was. Went back the next day (tickets are good for 48hrs) and went through the rest. While we were there, the Gallipoli exhibition was on display. I was blown away by the detail in the large sculptures. This musuem was a great way to end our trip to the north island. A beautiful place and we learned so much. Thank you

Wonderful National Museum. The exhibits are some of the best, very realistic and well maintained. The cultural section of the museum showcased the impressive skills and history of The Maori. The Gallipoli exhibit was informative and captured battles and wartime conditions in an accurate, thoughtful manner. This museum is one of the best we've had the pleasure of visiting. Well worth the trip.

A great place to learn about the history of New Zealand. Exhibits were thoughtfully laid out and well presented. The Gallipoli war exhibit had some very realistic, larger than scale figures that depict the emotions and agony during wartime. They have lockers for rent to store your bag. I thought 2 hours would be enough time to see everything, but ended up taking 3.5 hours going at a steady pace. I learned so much about New Zealand.

One of the things that impressed us most about New Zealand is the incredible attention to detail in organising everything a visitor might encounter — and the museums are no exception. Te Papa is an essential experience for anyone passing through Wellington. It doesn’t just tell the socio-cultural history of the country, but also its natural history, local fauna and flora, with numerous interactive installations. What I love most is when a museum literally “puts things in your hands” — artefacts, objects, faithful reproductions — so you can truly understand what you’re looking at instead of just seeing items behind glass. We really appreciated the floor dedicated to climate change and the country’s geothermal and seismic evolution, as well as the floor focused on social issues, cultural globalisation, and social inclusion.

It is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street in the central city, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city and Wellington Harbour. The cable car route rises 120 m over a length of 609 m. The trip takes about 5 minutes each way and is a very popular ride and place at the top, lots of tourists and locals. You can get to the summit by car or public transport as well. Plenty of free parking available at the summit. Toilets available at summit and base. Cafes and restaurants available. At the top you can visit the cable car museum, botanic gardens. Lots of people here, careful with personal belongings. Easy terrain, lot of easy walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Lovely place for picnic. Great place for photography. You can also walk down safe tracks from the summit to the city terminal like we did. Cable car fees payable.

This local cable car is a historic Wellington icon and a must-try experience when visiting the city. It not only takes you to the entrance of the Wellington Botanic Garden, but also offers a beautiful scenic view of the city as you ride uphill. At the top, you’ll find a viewing deck with fantastic city panoramas, the Cable Car Museum, and a café that serves great coffee — a perfect spot to relax and take in the view. For a return fare of just $10 NZD, it’s an affordable and enjoyable way to experience one of Wellington’s classic attractions. Highly recommended for both locals and tourists exploring the city!

Very cool - right in the middle of the city (Lambton Quay shopping and business area - CBD). The entrance to the ticket booth is tucked into an alleyway. I came upon it unexpectedly whilst walking around . Runs every 10 minutes. Lovely views on the ride up with commentary. Nice little coffee shop at the top. Had a delicious cappuccino and a tasty treat. Enjoyed the great views. I decided to walk back down through the botanical gardens on well laid, paved paths passing through clearly marked gardens. Highly recommend. Marvelous children's playground along the way. I saw signs while at the top for the observatory but didn't have enough time to check it out. I recommend to buying a one way going up as it's very easy and simple to purchase your return if you decide to ride down instead of walk down. Give this delightful adventure time, don't be in a hurry. There's also a public bus at the top of you want to go elsewhere.

It was a shite day weather wise but who cares when you have such a lovely visual experience going through the tunnel. The views were spectacular from the top. Beloved the museum/shop also. Staff might want to smile and be a little friendly. 😃

Always a great ride on the cable. Friendly team and easy to navigate the station. I went recently to specifically see the winding room in action as they were doing an open day was really cool to see and learn how it works from the team who look after and drive the cars.

A typically wet and cool day, the gardens are a stop I'll be back for. The museum and food well worth the stop. Keep an eye out for pickpockets, nearly broke the toes of a dude trying to steal my gopro. They operate in pairs/groups. Only place in my entire trip I ran into this.

Great smooth ride to the top.You can get off and walk around the little township. Cafe near the cable car is great. The museum of the historic the cable car was fantastic.

It is a beautiful and peaceful spot in the heart of the city. It has lovely walking paths, themed gardens like the Rose Garden and Begonia House, and great views from the Cable Car. Free entry, family-friendly, and perfect for nature lovers.

A sunny day took us to the top of the hill by cable car for the second time in two days. Besides the beautiful view of the city and the bay, the gardens offer the opportunity to stroll and relax in an environment where nature predominates. Plants unique to this country, such as kauri, and flowers of many types are also present. The little ones also have the opportunity to learn the names of some plants, such as the aromatic ones used in cooking. The rose garden is a sight to behold. The pond with its waterfall and a few ducks is also lovely. Not to be missed. Free access.

With its connection to Te Ahumeranga hill and beyond, the Botanic Garden is like a lung situated right next foor to Wellingtons Central Business District and it's main arterial highway. There are a good number of activities in the park ranging from the Cable Car connecting to Lambton Quay the Cable Car Museum a scenic café a collection of observatories including the Space Place all the way to the Rose Garden and childrens' play areas. On a sunny day it is a delight to stroll here.

What a beautiful place to walk around. We were short on time and the day we went was the nicest of the days we had in Wellington. We did not get to see everything but what we did see was stunning. The amount of beauty was amazing. The flow of plants is perfect. I do wish to go back and see more. So much to enjoy

A wonderful place to explore and appreciate NZ's diverse flora. Excellent signage and facilities with access to the visitor centre, cable car and Fragrifert perfumery.

Always well worth a visit when going to Wellington, especially taking the cable cart up and then walking down back to the CBD. The rose garden is a must see but not in bloom yet at thus time of year (spring).

A beautiful walk to take, not too strenuous either and the walking paths are very well maintained. The botanic gardens offer a wide range of native plants and flowers with a large flower garden that makes for fantastic pictures! Would highly recommend!

Wellington Zoo is a must-visit! Perfect for nature lovers and kids. Loved the variety of animals, beautiful surroundings, and informative rangers. Ticketing was smooth, and the facilities (restrooms, food options) were great. Highly recommend!

Awesome zoo! Highly recommend booking a close encounter in advance. We did the meerkat encounter and it was amazing!! All the enclosures are well designed and the animals looked well cared for.

Beautiful walk and love seeing the animals. The zoo is well themed, we love that effort put into asia/africa/australia. We also do homeschool education talks here twice a year and they're great. 3 stars because the animals enclosures are small. As much as I love seeing exotic creatures, I always feel a bit sad and wish they'd spend more on extending room for current animals rather than building new enclosures for more variety.

I enjoyed my walk through this zoo, about 2 hours. I caught one feeding show among many throughout the day. The zoo keepers were very friendly and informative. I like the multiple toilet access with a couple stalls vs. one big washroom area near the entrance/exit like other zoos. Sad that a few cages have no animals at all unless it's feeding/show time.

Always nice to visit when in Wellington, ashame this time there where no big cats/bear visible and some things closed. Possibly due to time/date of visit. Had some amazing animals to see, huge giraffes. A nice place to take the kids.

The zoo may be nice for kids, but for adults it was average. We saw a giraffe, a kangaroo, two Tasmanian devils who seemed more disappointed in their lives, a big rooster and a pig. The rest had to be hidden or put to sleep, no luck...

Wellington Zoo offers a well-maintained and engaging environment focused on conservation and education. The staff are knowledgeable, and the area is thoughtfully designed. It provides awesome experience for visitors of all ages.

We joined the After Dark Tour at Zealandia, hoping to spot a kiwi in the wild — and we quickly learned that “wild” really means wild here. The tour was really well organized, there was one guide for a group of 12 people (plus a volunteer assistant), and everyone got a small communication device to hear the guide clearly, along with a red-light torch to avoid disturbing the wildlife. The walk itself lasted around two hours, and once it got completely dark, it truly felt like an adventure in the forest. Of course, with group tours, you always depend on the people you’re with — sometimes that can affect the overall experience — but our guide Emily and volunteer Allison were both fantastic. They were knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely cared about what they do. Huge thanks and respect to them and to everyone working or volunteering at Zealandia — what they’re doing here is amazing. As for the wildlife, we knew from the start that seeing a kiwi (or anything at all) would be a matter of luck, and that’s exactly how it went. We heard a few kiwis calling in the distance, and right at the very end — just when I had stopped expecting it — the group spotted one! Unfortunately, I only caught a glimpse for less than a second (typical, right?). We also saw a Ruru owl, which is apparently quite rare, a tiny Hamilton’s frog, and a couple of Tuatara — real “living fossils.” Other than that, most of the birds we saw were ones we’d already come across during our travels in New Zealand. Overall, it was a unique and well-run experience, but I have to admit I left feeling just a little underwhelmed — maybe just a bit bitter about not seeing more of the kiwi. Objectively though, the team did everything they could, and the unpredictability is part of what makes it authentic. Still, even as a non-profit experience, the $120 per person felt a bit steep for what it was.

An incredible and peaceful walk through nature. Exploring the eco sanctuary at dusk felt magical the sounds, the birds, and the beautiful surroundings made it such a memorable evening. We did the tour call Zealandia by Twilight. Learning about Zealandia’s mission to restore Wellington’s wildlife and bring native species back to the region made the experience even more meaningful. Our guide Sofia was amazing and knowledgeable and everything felt so calm and special. We even ended the night with a cup of delicious kawakawa tea the perfect way to wrap up the evening.

We did the evening tour at Zealandia with Emily being our guide and Claire as a spotter. It was amazing! Emily had such a wonderful energy, you could tell she really enjoyed what she was doing and Claire was just the best spotter! We learnt a lot about the history of the sanctuary, saw lots of different birds (even a kiwi! Yay lucky us!) and some more wonderful animals (don’t wanna spoil too much). And we had the chance to come back for free the next day, which was really cool, to explore the sanctuary during the day time and go find some more of its inhabitants. Would totally recommend!

A great park with several hiking paths and lots of birds! A great place to get away from the city and enjoy listening and seeing birds. This is an old water catchment area turned into a wildlife sanctuary. It is surrounded by a tight fence to prevent (non-native) mice, possums, cats, weasels, etc from entering, so that native birds can flourish here. We saw and heard lots of blackbirds, tui, and kaka. There is also an area where tuatara can be spotted. Good visitor center at the gate with maps and souvenirs.

Done really well. Great walking paths expecially round the lake and suspension bridge. A bird watcher dream Saw a few birds and the walk was nice. Worth the cost (maybe to help the conservation effort but spenny park where yiu aren't garenteed to see the wildlife). Did see somthing out of the ordinary. The inital walk was tranquil, then we spotted seven butter-yellow ducklings resting nestled in the grass and undergrowth near the water's edge, close to their mother duck. This peace shattered when a huge, iridescent drake landed violently on the bank, driven by a blind, primal urge to dominate. The mother duck instantly turned into a whirling fury of feathers, fighting for her life and the lives of her brood, but the drake was relentless. In a fit of frustrated aggression on the dry bank, he struck one chick, flinging it high into the air, and violently drove another one deep into the dense undergrowth. ​Realising she couldn't fight the brute and protect the scattered ducklings, she made a desperate calculation. She beat her wings hard, launching herself into the air with a loud, distracting cry, flying low and fast toward the opposite bank. She carried the drake’s immediate focus with her, allowing the remaining ducklings to dive and dart into the safety of the thick sedge. ​Landing raggedly on the far shore, the mother duck waited, watching the monstrous drake finally lose interest. Slowly, over the next agonising minutes, all seven tiny forms emerged from the reeds and waddled across the open water to wait there, but the brutal price of the wild had been paid. Great park for more wild wildlife.

One of the best reserves in the entire country. Coming here is genuinely one of my favorite things to do ever (which is saying something) and you see so many things here. For example, as of writing this, on my latest trip we saw 7 tieke, 4 Hihi, 8 Kaka, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Tuatara, and many, many Shags and Kereru. Such a beautiful part of the country. If you're going on holiday to New Zealand then this is 100% a must visit. If you haven't been yet please go. Also please donate to them if you can. They do so much amazing work for our native Taonga, and are such an amazing organization. I would love to work with these amazing birds when i get older. Love this place so much. (All photos attached were taken by my Dad).

Incredible place. The work they’ve done here is amazing. If you like birds at all this is an absolute must to check out. Probably the best birding area I’ve ever walked around

We are travelling through New Zealand from Toronto, Canada and Lochmara Lodge was recommended to us as a lovely place to relax and enjoy the area around the Queen Charlotte Sound. The recommendation was perfect and we loved our stay at Lochmara Lodge. We braved the walk to the Onahau lookout which was long and hard but you are rewarded with stunning views. The lodge itself has wonderful rooms (amazing beds), a great cafe and all of the staff was warm and friendly. The underwater marine life observatory was really cool (even for us 60 year olds) and kayaking around the bay was really beautiful. The jellyfish were mesmerizing. Niki and Chris have a gem here and I highly encourage anyone considering a visit to New Zealand and to the Queen Charlotte/Marlborough Sounds area to stay at Lochmara Lodge.

Stayed here for a rest day while walking the Queen Charlotte Track, and had a wonderful, recuperative experience. I was lucky enough to be one of only a couple of guests, as the lodge had only opened for the season a week earlier. This meant I got focused, VIP treatment from all the staff. They really went above and beyond, from ordering in vegan ice cream for me to giving me a private tour of the underwater observatory. I loved every moment at Lochmara, especially the bath house -- which was perfect for my hike-tired muscles

We absolutely love Lochmara, and return every spring, it's one of our favourite places in NZ. It's a great place to explore with kids. The food, coffee and service is always brilliant. The cafe, grounds and rooms are very clean and tidy, and the team are kind and friendly. See you again next time.

The coolest lodge in one of the most beautiful places far and wide! simply stunning!! go swimming at night and marvel at the wonder of plankton (dinoflagellaten)... there's nowhere more beautiful than here! ✨

The owners and staff were absolutely lovely. They were so welcoming and we enjoyed our stay. Definitely coming back!

We stayed for a night with my partner and I can say it was definitely a perfect choice to celebrate our anniversary. The most amazing surprise for us was that even though it wasn't advertised anywhere, we saw some bioluminiscence activity in the shore! It was surreal to see that and definitely what made this an unforgettable place. We went to the underwater observatory and we really liked this experience but definitely because our guide, Sophie, was very knowledgeable, educational and nice. She answered all of our questions and you could tell she genuinely loves animals. The other side of this is that we were dissapointed because the windows of the underwater observatory were dirty, even though they were last cleaned a bit more than a week ago. They told us they get dirty faster in summer. In our opinion if this is the build up you get in 1 week, the cleaning should definitely be done more frequently. What makes this an amazing place: - Friendly staff - Free kayaking - Hike nearby - Nice beautiful accomodation - Bioluminescence!! - Beautiful nice little beach Things that could improve: - Written tips or guidance on where to go kayaking with better maps. - Even though we really enjoyed lunch and breakfast, we had the special pasta of the day for dinner and it was so dissapointing.. it was flavorless, not good and not too bad either, it was just okay.. - Underwater observatory windows Edit: something important I forgot to mention, we wish they sold packages including dinner breakfast lunch and transportation, as there were only 2 package options and they didnt have transport and food at the same time.

Lochmara Lodge and Cafe is the perfect get away and we enjoy using the annual pass on their water taxi to come and go whenever we can. Amazing to get close to nature and chill in a warm and comfortable sanctuary just minutes by boat from Picton. The accommodation is clean and comfy and the Cafe serves delicious food and beverage. Everybody deserves to experience the warm welcome from Chris, Niki, and staff, and to soak up the Lochmara experience.

What a wonderful way to experience this stunning area. I loved seeing how locals enjoy meeting the boat as it pulls up to their jetty’s to deliver their supplies. The crew were very informative of the local mussel industry etc as well as wild life in the area. The opportunity to stop off at Te Rawa Restaurant and enjoy a delicious lunch was a bonus as was sampling some of Marlborough’s finest wines while on board the mail boat. You can comfortably walk around the boat, go upstairs or out the front or back to get great views and photo opportunities. What a great day out on the water.

Had a great day out on the mailboat. Interesting, very welcoming and friendly. Very good informative staff. Two lovely cafes open for brekkie or coffee and to buy lunch in Havelock before the boat trip. The best public toilets in Havelock too! Tip: take enough clothing as it's best sitting outside but gets quite cold. Did the farm tour at lunchtime, very enjoyable. Very reasonable too. Highly recommend

Beautiful day cruising around the sounds, boat clean and roomy, nice cheap local wines/beer on board, lovely friendly farm experience host... Spectacular dolphin encounter, seals at mussel farm. Very enjoyable day out with great skipper Ross and crew!

My husband and I had a fabulous time on the mail boat tour. It was a nice day and we were able to set up top on the boat and really enjoyed the scenery. (The day prior, we did an Eko WlidlifeTour out of Picton and we were inside the boat and when the driver would see a seal or birds, then we would go out to the front of the boat. But that boat was not compatible with seeing views from the outside). So we enjoyed this Mail boat tour so much more. There’s commentary and it was fun to see where people live and watch the interaction (chin wag) with the mail lady and the driver. They provide tea and coffee and there’s two toilets on the boat. Would highly recommend.

Outer Sounds Mail Boat run on a beautiful day - couldn't have been better. Journey was very information with Ross, the skipper, giving a running commentary as we visited each island. The speaker system on top deck could have been clearer especially when engines were running fast. Otherwise the trip was faultless, the boat spotlessly clean & service 1st class. Take your swimmers if on a warm day - beautiful swimming spot at lunch break. Also a jacket & 'tie-down' sunhat.

Fantastic day out! Took my 90yr old mum and we had the best time. We loved seeing the dogs coming down to meet the mailboat to get their biscuits. Beautiful scenery and excellent friendly staff from start to finish. Thanks for a lovely day. 😃

A great day out (Feb 8th 2025). We saw stunningly beautiful places and aspects of NZ life that we would otherwise never have experienced, not to mention the wildlife encounters along the way - having a pod of about 100 dolphins swimming and leaping around the boat was magical. The visit to Wilsons Bay Farm was fascinating. Highly recommended.

Jade was an incredible guide and this was the highlight of our Marlborough trip. We had some rain the night before so the water level was elevated and the current was faster and the bumps slightly bigger. Having no experience we were worried these factors would mean we were 100% going overboard but Jade’s clear instructions, calm energy and expert manoeuvres ensured we were screaming in fun, not in terror. If you’re hesitating because you don’t know how to swim, scared of the water or think you don’t have the right experience…if we can do it, you probably can too!! It’s SO worth it!

We had a great paddle down the beautiful Pelorus river. You alternate between smooth stretches where you can just sit back and enjoy the view, and more active stretches where you go over small rapids (you are definitely going to get splashed so dress appropriately). Our guide Jade was awesome, giving us directives on how to navigate the rapids, sharing interesting information about the history and the nature in the area, taking pictures of us while we were busy navigating the rapids and making sure everyone made it through safely (helping us dominate the flow). It is more of a kayaking experience than a tour of the Hobbit filming location. We did stop at the filming location where our guide pointed out where different shots were filmed from. But as fans of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, this was definitely the best way to visit the river used for the barrel escape of the dwarves in the Hobbit.

There were a few details about my experience that were not as advertised. Firstly, sunscreen and bug spray were NOT provided, which is in direct opposition to what the website said -and how I planned my day. The biting flies were intense - WEAR PANTS AND A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT. I thought that we were going on a 4 hour excursion (as the site implies) but we were back before 5pm, spending less than 2 hours on the water. I specifically booked this tour because it was 4 hours long, and even if you count safety briefing and travel time it was still less than three, less than two on the water. The big highlight of this paddle is that you are crossing through some of the scenery that was filmed in the Hobbit, which was pointed out to us. However, the laminated photos that we were provided for context for these shots were in such low image quality that it was actually very hard to see what we were being shown. It looked like someone had texted an old JPEG and then photocopied it seven times, it was mostly just pixels. I was surprised, considering that that is the highlight of this tour, that the quality of the images was so low. I do want to shout out to my host, as she was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating, and a wellspring of knowledge about the local area and wildlife. She did make us all feel quite safe and relaxed. I would say, however, that she was the only saving grace of the whole tour. I wouldn't recommend this tour otherwise.

Can’t tell you how much fun we had with Jade at this adventure. She was very helpful and entertaining. The best parts of the tour can only experienced by doing it. Jade is strongly recommended and this adventure is a must do tour if loved the hobbit movies. No experience in water rafting is required. Make sure you wear water socks and beach shorts/beach wear. Bug repellent is a must!!! To have fun in this adventure all you will need is Jade and a good day! Thanks Jade!!!!

Amazing experience and Jade was the best guide, really encouraging and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend them!

Great day out for a novice like myself. Jade is a fab instructor - just lets you get on with it and learn by doing.

Holy Holy had the best adventure tour with Shane and Khan out on thier 22meter tuna fishing boat. They went out and beyond to thier ability to make it a trip of a life time. Covered all the species, fishing, deer hunting pig hunting and cray fish for breakfast. These two are the true southern experience with the sourthern rawness that make you know your experiencing the real thing. The beauty is they can organise accomadation at the blue mountain lodge and throw in mountain biking too. Thanks Shane and Khan for making this an experience never to be forgotten.

We came to the cellar door the day after our elopement and Billy made us feel so special, and honestly made the experience of the winery for us! He is extremely knowledgeable, funny and personable and we could not be happier with the service we received! The drive around the property was very worth it as well!

This is the one of, if not the best experience we have ever had at a vineyard. The prices are amazing from $8-$10 per glass a platter won’t set you back much at all. But the service, smiles from amazing staff and the chance to drive around the vineyard (we did it with a bottle of wine 😜) these guys clearly know they have an amazing facility and wine but choose not to rob you to enjoy their facility. To say I’ll be back, of course. But I’ll make sure to support their wines even more so in the future. Thankyou to the team for making our SI trip.

An amazing place, it's a shame we didn't plan the day to also go there for a meal or something similar, because their entire environment is so beautiful and maintained at a high level, so I'm sure everything is like that with them.

My friend and I had an amazing wine tasting with Sally and Billy! They both made us feel welcome and were very generous to try to meet our needs. We laughed a lot and learned a lot about the various wines Yealands has to offer. Highly recommend visiting! Will definitely come back!

Five stars for the White Road Tour and the generosity of Yealands to let us drive through their estate. Four stars for the charming wine server and the snacks. Three stars for the wine.

My wife and I were just passing through the area on our travels around the south island and decided to take a last-minute stop off at Yealands. What a great decision it was! It's such a beautiful drive around the estate and the wine tasting session was amazing. Billy was an absolute legend and really went above and beyond for our first ever tasting. His knowledge and passion for wine were incredible. Thank you for such a great experience that we won't forget!

We stopped off at the Yealands completely by accident while road tripping along the South Island between Christmas and New Year. Drove out of the little town of Seddon, after stopping for fuel and refreshments, on a road named Seaview road, assuming it was a short drive to a lookout point, but was surprised when driving onto the most beautiful wine estate, with picturesque picnic spots for the public, an incredible lookout point and the chance to sample some fantastic wines! Definitely worth a visit if you are ever in the area! Lovely people working at the cellar and top quality wines!

The staff are so friendly and hospitable. They close at 4pm and I arrived at 3.30pm they still served me. I've never been to a wine tasting before so they were so helpful. The service, the presentation of the food and wine, the information about the wine and the cleanliness of the complex immaculate. Can't fault it... highly recommend

The vineyard restaurant serves great food in a lovely setting, but service was lacking. Oysters we ordered never arrived, and staff only acknowledged it when we mentioned it at payment, which left a disappointing impression despite the good meal.

If you want to drink lovely wines and eat good food amongst beautiful vineyards and with the backdrop of the Richmond range… you have found the right spot 😆. Service was very friendly. The food and wine were good. Lots of gluten free options. This is a wonderful place to experience Marlborough wines. Thank you.

One of the best spots for lunch in Blenheim. We’ve been several times over r past 3 year and every time the food is excellent and the staff are great. Very relaxed, but I recommend booking ahead as they do fill up. The Chardonnay and Pinot rose are delicious wines and you the celebration of Marlborough platter is a must!

What a beautiful place to have lunch! The food was delicious and very pretty plated. They had great knowledge of what wine to pair with what food and the wine was amazing too. Definitely sit in the garden if weather allows it, because it is so peaceful and beautiful here. Be aware, the kitchen closes at 14:45 for hot meals, so after you can only get cold meals (which are absolutely delicious too)

I believe that Saint Clair Garden Kitchen is the best place to eat in Marlborough. They have just changed onto their summer menu and it didn't disappoint. Excellent chicken and lamb dishes with exquisite salads topped off with twice cooked potato wedges, Yum! Then honey and raspberry layer cake and baked mango cheesecake to finish. DELISH!

Enjoyed most amazing lunch there with super vineyard vibe!! Their charcuterie is always in my mind whenever I tried to assemble my own

Pleasant little park just off a main road. Easily accessed and good parking. Great for a pleasant short walk or you could do loops if running. Nice trees and foliage, with a small stream running through it. Suitable for all ages. Backs on to a tennis club (with courts that can be booked for casual play) and a small golf course.

One of the most colourful and well maintained parks we have visited anywhere in the world! The roses were in full bloom, the spring flowers were still looking magnificent and everything was so lush and healthy. Lovely easy tracks to walk around and lots of nice places to sit and enjoy the park. If visiting Blenheim, this should be at the top of your list 🌻

The flowers are coming out and very nice to walk around on a lovely day. There is a pretty stream/small river running through the park with quite a lot of ducks and other birds. The park is relatively small and ends before you know it.

Beautiful park, gardens, trees and golf course. Toilets clean and modern. Loved the rose gardens and well named.

Nice park to stop at for a break. Bedding gardens in bloom, ducks on the stream flowing through. Kids play area plus more.

Lovely park with a very cool 9 hole Golf course. A mix of some short and long holes, with lots of trees and tight driving holes like number 2 and number 8. Number 3 is a long par 3 (180 metres) with a very narrow fairway that opens up the nearer to the green you are. A real test of how straight you can hit! A birdie on the first hole was a nice start! Cheers

Delightful place to visit. This will become a regular place to visit now we’re living in Blenheim

Highly recommend stopping here! Although be prepared, we went in expecting to be in and out in under an hour, we were there over 3 hours. Also pay the extra and check out both exhibits, the history here is very interesting and well presented with interesting facts and information!

What an extraordinary place. Met by wonderful people who knew stuff and came back to make sure we were getting all the information we wanted. Allowed to take photos. Incredibly amazed at the Pacific crash site of the Lockheed Hudson. Brilliant to have so much history open to the public. The food and coffee were good too. Thanks to everyone.

Absolutely worth the time to go through both exhibitions. We spent 2 hours here. The short cinema experience in the WW2 is very informative.

My husband and I were driving through Blenheim and had heard from a New Zealand Facebook travel post that this museum was worth seeing. We planned to stop here for an hour, but ended up spending three hours at both the WWI & WWII museums. They were both great, but we were very impressed with the WWI museum! A museum educator, Roy, was absolutely wonderful! He continued to check on us at the WWI museum every so often and explained the exhibits and told us the historical facts behind each exhibit (which each exhibit is based on an actual event or photograph that had been taken). He offered other factual information about planes (Irish linen for the wings, propellers with interruptor devices, darts the soldiers dropped before bombs were invented, etc) He was one of the highlights of the museum!!! We would highly recommend this museum. Also there is a nice café with food, pastries, and beverages for before visiting or between museums or after visiting both. We purchased pastries and beverages & also brought some of our own food and had a nice picnic on the tables outside provided.

What a fantastic location. I am so happy we decided to go here and have a look, I found a bookme special too which was even greater. If you are passing through or staying in Blenheim, this is a MUST! We spent 1.5hrs there and it was just enough.

Aviation and history buffs, this place is a must. WW1 actual planes as well as replicas, then onto WW2 planes. Loads of information and stories, being part sponsored by Sir Peter Jackson the sets are of Hollywood standard.

I am not an aviation person, but wow! I definitely don't think you need to be. What a fantastic place. The displays that have been made by Weta Workshops are of their usual standard. So real looking. Definitely a must visit.

Absolutely beautiful winery . W took some work mates there to introduce them to wine tastings that staff we friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell thay really enjoy their job and a passionate about what thay do . Would 100% recommend this as a must do . Even left with a couple of bottles to share with the wife when I return home

Quite a lot of fuss with long waiting times. Reservations are essential. The wine and Perlorus sparkling wine (which, logically, cannot be called champagne) are very tasty. We particularly loved the classic Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. A fantastic wine. However, there are wineries in the surrounding area that have a cosier atmosphere, offer equally good wine and are not so pretentious.

Wine is of course impeccable, but I would give the restaurant a miss. Service was excellent though food did not fully hit the spot. Come for the wine, lunch elsewhere

Outstanding wine, we did 2 of the tastings and both were excellent, the 2025 Sav is the best I've ever had. I was also given a free glass of bubbles for my birthday, will be back again! Beautiful cellar door.

Visited cloudy bay for the first time on sunday. Beautiful exterior, easy to find and park, wood fire was lovely inside, we loved the indulge wine tasting really enjoyed it. Their sav. Blanc and pinot noirs are stand outs. We were looked after by a friendly and knowledgable young woman. Recommend a visit.

From the moment you arrive at Cloudy Bay, you’re greeted with breathtaking views and an atmosphere that perfectly blends elegance with Marlborough’s natural beauty. The vineyard is stunning, and the attention to detail in every aspect of the experience is exceptional. The wines are truly world-class—each glass tells the story of Marlborough’s unique terroir. The Pelorus sparkling is a standout, and the Sauvignon Blanc remains an iconic benchmark for the region. The tasting experience is thoughtfully curated, with knowledgeable staff who share their passion and expertise in a way that feels both professional and warm. Lavinia was an a outstanding host! The food pairing options are equally impressive, showcasing local ingredients that complement the wines beautifully. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxed afternoon in the garden or a private tasting, Cloudy Bay delivers an unforgettable experience that sets the standard for excellence. If you’re visiting Marlborough, this is an absolute must. Cloudy Bay is more than a vineyard—it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, hospitality, and the beauty of New Zealand wine. cannot highly recommend enough.

We are tourist from The Netherlands and we found this Vineyard by surprise. We attended at the sunset movie screening and it was amazing. The wine was so good, there was live music, the food was excellent, staff was super friendly. We will be returning here for a wine tasting on the way back during our holiday. On extra: did the winetasting as well. Got the 5 course one wich was 30ndz. The guy giving the winetasting was super friendly and took his time to awnser our questions even though it was very busy. He also knew a lot about the wines. The only downside was that there was a comment section during the reservation that you could fill in if you were celebrating something, wich we were so we filled it in. They didn’t do anything with it. If you’re not going to do something with it, dont have a section like that.

Booked for my birthday celebration meal. Was stunned by the beauty of the surroundings and amazing food. Staff were attentive and helpful. The wine was fantastic and a favourite of mine hence booking at this particular winery. A lovely evening which was worth the 6 hour journey from South Canterbury.

Had a beautiful lunch at Wither Hills, the lamb and fish was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. We both had the sticky fig pudding and enjoyed it thoroughly, could have licked the plate! Service was great, very accommodating even though we hadn’t booked. Ben our server was fantastic and very knowledgeable, helping us with our wine and food choices. Will definitely be returning. Thanks for a great time!

We made a lunch reservation on a Sunday and were pleasantly surprised with the availability of tables facing the vineyard view. The food was delightful and the view’s breathtaking. Quite happy with the attentive staff who made sure we were happy with the experience.

Anaise delivered an exceptional customer service experience from start to finish. Her in-depth knowledge of each wine was impressive—she explained every detail with clarity and passion, even sharing fascinating insights about the history and regions behind each one. Anaise also went above and beyond by giving us a personal tour of the venue, highlighting how beautifully the space can be used for meetings and special events. We can’t wait to return and hope to be hosted by Anaise again. She is truly a gem and an invaluable asset to the winery!

Such a beautiful location for a wedding. We had our very small wedding ceremony here. Only 13 of us but the smaller private dining room was perfect. Plenty of choice for where to have wedding photos taken...it's all beautiful. Food was delicious, we just ordered a variety of the small plates. Wine is beautiful and staff were awesome, they pretty much left us to our own devices which was exactly what we wanted. Highly recommend.

Interesting – This was a group event (40 adults) for a wine tasting and lunch. Service was good and the selection of wines was interesting. The group lunch included lamb meatballs (tender)and roasted chicken (just OK). Their wines are better than their food. Go there to learn about Marlborough wine region.

We had a fantastic time from the moment we stepped in. Our waitress was very warm and welcoming, and the food did not take very long to come out. We tried the wine flight, and despite not being a big wine fan, it went down very well! Salad with the addition of sliced pears was so delicious alongside the steak. We, along with the table behind us, were not major fans of the banana fritters (served like a spring roll as opposed to a batter), however, that’s just personal preference 🙏

👍 Like my review! Please note that if you are here for a tasting, it will NOT be waived upon a purchase of any wine bottles. This left a bad taste after we purchased a number of bottles from Framingham Wines making us realize if there's even a point to return. However, the wines were overall great, the entrance garden is beautiful, and the area downstairs to see the passion of the owners was astoundingly cool. Those working in the tasting room told us we can play the drums if we wanted to. We would recommend it as an experience for once in your life but don't plan to return anytime soon nor purchase future bottles.

Quirky, Cool, and Full of Heart! Framingham Wines was such a fun and memorable stop. The service was friendly and welcoming, and we absolutely loved exploring the cellar and the band room — their support of the arts adds a unique and inspiring touch to the whole experience. The setting is quirky and cool, with gardens that are full of character and charm. Don’t miss the chance to grab one of their cool pink shirts — it’s a great way to support a good cause while taking home a piece of the vibe. A place with personality, great wine, and a whole lot of soul. Highly recommended!

We visited Framingham Winery for the afternoon with plans to move onto the next place but we had such a lovely time we ended up staying the whole day! Really wonderful service, the staff there are so lovely and take such good care. They have a great knowledge of their produce and production, shared in a very friendly and accessible way. Their Riesling tasting was fantastic as was their self service snack selection. 5 stars all round, highly recommended!

If you only have one day in Marlborough you HAVE to visit Framingham. It makes the best reisling in the region and you must have the reisling tasting. The vineyard is spectacular, the court yard setting offers the best spot in the region to sit relax and enjoy the wine. Will always reccomend to anyone visiting.

Incredible service, atmosphere, and of course, wine. When you live in wine country, the standards are high, and this place delivers. Thank you Tanya for being so knowledgeable and welcoming! I’ll be happy to return soon ☺️

We visited a few different wineries and this was our absolute favourite. It is a smaller winery, more boutique than say Cloudy Bay. The gardens are exceptionally well maintained and there is cellar door seating inside and out if it is a nice day. The staff member who served us was so lovely and very helpful. We tried a selection of whites and found all to be delicious. A personal favourite from Framingham was the Pinot Gris, though the Riesling is more popular I believe. If you are trying a few wineries out in the Marlborough, Framingham is an absolute must do.

Probably my favourite winery in all of Marlborough. The second time I've visited now and these wines are exceptional. The garden setting is unbeatable. Caroline was brilliant and very kind. She really helps make this place tick. If you like Riesling, this is the must-go and all their other wines are also very good. Do not miss this winery!!!!

Stunning place with beautiful bird song. They hosted a rat traps building event for our homeschooling children which was extremely well run.

Good place to stop & stretch your legs between Blenheim & Nelson. A few options for bush walks, listening & looking for the bird life.

Beautiful spot to take a swim, relax, watch birds. Across the street is a nice little campground with a food truck that serves coffee and pastries. Kahawari campsite has super clean facilities and even a pizza oven by the main campground facilities. Take the Tawa trail to see two nice and hidden waterfalls. Return trip from and to campsite is 2hrs. Also good for trail runners.

Great overnight stay. As we have remembered it from previous stays. Showers are awesome. Great indigenous display area. Worth spending time there. Good coffee. Too early to sample food but will be back

Beautiful sight, nice opportunity to have a refreshing swim❣️❣️

Great place to just stop and enjoy the environment. Good for a summer swim as well

We recently hiked the Trig K lookout route after a rainfall. The return trip took us about 4 hours. The trail was not well-defined in some areas, making for a challenging but rewarding hike. The panoramic views from the summit were absolutely breathtaking. While we did spot two waterfalls on the way, they weren't particularly noteworthy compared to the stunning scenery we've seen in places like Wanaka.

Amazing walkway along an absolutely STUNNING piece of New Zealand coastline. There is a great short walk option which is about 30 minutes and follows the top of a hill with amazing views and comes back along the coast with nesting birds and fur seals in the wild. Can be very exposed and windy - take a jacket and hat. Super easy and our school age children loved it. Can be a loop otherwise an easy there and back

Absolutely gorgeous views everywhere you look! There’s a good bit of parking and bathrooms. It was so cool seeing the seals in mid-September. There are several trail options. Depending on what you do, you could easily spend 1-5 hours here. Your trail options can be loop or out-and-back. It sounds like you may have to be mindful of the tide for part of 1 trail.

This is a wonderful 11.7km loop track with loads of scenery and variety. As a loop of the entire peninsula you can start almost anywhere from your motel to any of the official track ends. We walked from across the road from Dolphin Encounter along the Esplanade to the official carpark and then along the beach because this brought you to close to the fur seals, gulls, coastal reefs and the sea. You could walk the cliff top but you get to do that a bit further along where you climb back up to the cliff for some spectacular views of the bays and ocean before coming back down to South Bay followed by a short jaunt across the peninsula and back to our car.

There is plenty of things to watch on this trail!! I would say this one is one of the most interesting place to go. There are plenty of fur seals 🦭 lie on the beach, ducks 🦆, sea gulls, and if you are lucky enough you can see the whales 🐳 and dolphins 🐬 far in the ocean also. You should start to walk up on the hill to see all the hills and glittering ocean and then walk down to the shore to see the sea gulls and fur seals on the beaches on the way back. I came in August, the moutains’ve still had some snow, very beautiful coast.

Seals n whales great views lovely peninsular great walking tracks,awesome place to go for a walk amongst nature

Loved this walkway. Amazing views from the top of the cliffs & you can watch the seals below or walk back on the bottom & see them up close & personal! There's a small yellow lighthouse at the start of the walk at the top of the hill & after that, theres rural views & a grassy track on the cliff top with seats placed strategically for the views.

Amazing walking track along either the coast or up on top of the cliffs. Up on the cliffs gives you great views out to sea and down over the seal colony with many different points where you can decide to walk down to the coastline. The coastline walk will get you close to the seal colony, you'll see people getting way too close to the seals and bothering them, please don't be them and enjoy them from a distance. The walk can go a long way around the peninsula and be a one way walk if someone is able to pick you up from the other end otherwise loop back on yourself. Fairly flat walk with some largish stones to traverse over at certain points of the walk.

Third time here now over the last 10-15 years…always a fun thrill seekers ride (not too crazy) Simple set up yet effective. Definitely pays to go during off season or in cooler weather as there are little lines. One star deducted as it’s fairly expensive for what it is, there are 4 runs and if you want to do them all you’re over 150$ pp…adds up quickly with multiple children (no child pricing). Find a coupon if you can, they’re rare. The spa pools at the bottom are great to warm in, there is one at the top for while you wait but it was closed on the cold day we were there for some reason. Other than your bank account you won’t regret stopping it, pleasant staff all around.

Well worth the $10 entry fee! Very interesting history. Self-guided but a volunteer (?) spent about 10 mins at the start giving us an overview. Given her accent (Scottish?) I suspect she wasn't born and bred here but her knowledge was impressive and conveyed a deep level of understanding. Highly recommended.

Staff very friendly and knowledgeable! Had an engaging visit on a beautiful sunny day

Friendly knowledgeable staff with great historical information in awesome atmosphere.

This is a lovely small museum, very welcoming. Provides an interesting historical perspective on Kaikoura, both the Maori and the whaling/post-whaling periods. Thank you,

I have spent months here renovating Fyffe House Whaling Station after it was damaged by the 2016 earthquake. I can say it's my favorite spot in New Zealand. Beautiful views of the sea and snow-capped mountains. It's a very interesting museum with a lot of historical information and value. The staff are very friendly and informative.

The jaggered rock formations in this area and the view of the mountains across the water were very spectacular and easily accessible parking. There was a rolling wispy sea mist above the water which further enhanced the serenity and mystique to bring a kind of magical feeling to the place.

The drive along the ocean was scenic. Windy & lots of seagulls & we also saw seals on the coast. Lovely & beautiful

Seals, seals and some more seals! We were hoping to just see a few, but once we rounded the corner, there were resting on rocks as far as we would see. The path is easy to follow and gets you up close to the seals. Mind the barriers as its for yours and their safety.

Very scenic and a nice walk. However it can be crowded, and if your primary purpose is to see either lots of seals, or seals up close, there are better locations to do so. You’ll see at least one here no doubt, but they may be at a reasonable distance, so bring binoculars or a camera with a decent zoom.

This is a must see!! Well worth the 25 min walk to the right once you hit the beach. The car park is busy so just be patient and a spot will come up. The walk is beautiful and seals are spread out all over the beach. There are 100's of them and you can get quite close to them as they are very lazy.

Just a few minutes walk from the car park you’ll find seals — with many more scattered throughout the bay. I’ve never been this close to them before, and it’s definitely worth a visit!

Great quiet place to enjoy with your family and kids. A lot a seagulls and seals. A good walk around the beach

Magical place where you can spot soo many cute seals. The birds (albatross and seagulls) also have nests there. Bring a good camera or some binoculars to best spot them

The drive along the ocean was scenic. Windy & lots of seagulls & we also saw seals on the coast. Lovely & beautiful

Seals, seals and some more seals! We were hoping to just see a few, but once we rounded the corner, there were resting on rocks as far as we would see. The path is easy to follow and gets you up close to the seals. Mind the barriers as its for yours and their safety.

Very scenic and a nice walk. However it can be crowded, and if your primary purpose is to see either lots of seals, or seals up close, there are better locations to do so. You’ll see at least one here no doubt, but they may be at a reasonable distance, so bring binoculars or a camera with a decent zoom.

This is a must see!! Well worth the 25 min walk to the right once you hit the beach. The car park is busy so just be patient and a spot will come up. The walk is beautiful and seals are spread out all over the beach. There are 100's of them and you can get quite close to them as they are very lazy.

Just a few minutes walk from the car park you’ll find seals — with many more scattered throughout the bay. I’ve never been this close to them before, and it’s definitely worth a visit!

Great quiet place to enjoy with your family and kids. A lot a seagulls and seals. A good walk around the beach

Magical place where you can spot soo many cute seals. The birds (albatross and seagulls) also have nests there. Bring a good camera or some binoculars to best spot them

They open at 10 am which was bit of an inconvenient to us. We needed some quick information but the i-site was closed. There is lot of parking available. You can book tickets for whale watching at the beach i-site (According to the advertisement outside).

Helpful staff and lovely art works on display. However, cannot make bookings here as all staff are volunteers. New info centre will be opening in future.

Good information and helpful staff... and still amazing views right outside the doors

I've given up trying to ring them. They just don't answer the phone, and the answering machine just says the person at that extension is "unavailable". I don't even know if it's the right number or not.

Lots of information and helpful staff. Def worth checking out before you check out some of Kaikoura.

Many thanks for i-SITE. A Chinese lady named Ivy has offered so many information and tips for us. She is amazing and helpful. Her help makes our trip more colorful and easier. We will remember this lovely town in our New Zealand travelling.

Stunning view of Creek meeting the ocean nice little shelter to have your lunch