Spend the day getting close to nature. Travel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately 3 hours by coach). Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale watch tour by boat. On the tour you may view the giant sperm whale and often other whale species, dolphins, seals and the Royal Albatross. Following the tour, lunch has been arranged at the Craypot Cafe and Bar. There will be the opportunity this afternoon to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. On returning to Christchurch this afternoon (a journey of approximately 3 hours by coach), a stop will be made at a a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure. |