Peninsula Hike with a Crayfish Finish

February 8

The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway is a 6.8 mile hike along the beach and up on top of the ridge, overlooking the South Pacific Ocean with sweeping panoramic views. The cloud cover and windy day was ideal hiking weather. It was a cake walk compared to the Queen Charlotte, with minimal elevation gain.

There is another Fur seal colony at Point Kean and we were able to get much closer to them than at Ohau. One seal was literally sitting on the trail walkway, hamming it up for the hikers.

We couldn’t leave Kaikōura without trying the local delicacy, crayfish. Kaikōura Seafood BBQ, a beachside shack, was packed when we arrived for lunch. The word is out. We ordered a crayfish tail that was slathered in garlic butter and grilled to perfection. What could be bad about that? We also had our favorite fish grilled, the Bluenose.

When we were eating, a flock of sheep were being herded by a dog. It was quite the busy spot.

Needing something sweet after our meal, we popped over to Kaikōura Bakery for some delicious shortbread cookies and some muffins for the morning. We certainly ate well in this little whale of a town.