Every now and then, you get one of those days where everything comes together. Good weather, interesting wildlife, and plenty of reasons to stop the car and reach for the camera. A recent day trip to Kaikōura turned into exactly that.
Starting the drive south at 6:45 am on a Saturday morning from Marlborough is one I've done before, but it's hard not to be distracted by the coastline. Between Kekerengū and Kaikōura, the road hugs the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and there always seems to be another viewpoint around the next corner. Rather than rushing straight to Kaikōura, I took my time and stopped at a few favourite locations along the way.
A Quick Stop at Kekerengū
Kekerengū is one of those places that's easy to drive through without giving it much thought, but whenever I stop there I'm reminded how beautiful this stretch of coastline really is.
As it was predicted to reach 27 degrees in Marlborough and 25 in Kaikoura, the only drawback was that it was a blue bird day, so I was careful to limit how much clear sky I included in each frame. The morning light was already bringing out the colours in the water and the hills, and there was that familiar contrast between the rugged coastline and the calm ocean beyond. It wasn't long before I had the camera out. The sea was also unusually flat so I experimented with a slower shutter speed to achieve silky looking water, but because there wasn’t enough wave movement, I found that a faster shutter speed produced the cleaner, sharper result I preferred.
Before I left, I thought I would grab a coffee from The Store at Kekerengū, unfortunately I was too early for their service, so I continued my journey down the coast. Later, on my return that afternoon, I did stop and enjoy a coffee. One of the things I enjoy most about photographing along this coast is how quickly the scenery changes. One moment you're looking at rocky shoreline and crashing waves, and a few minutes later you're looking across rolling farmland with mountains in the distance.
Paparoa Point and the Kaikōura Coast
A little further south, Paparoa Point delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
The coastline here feels wild and untamed. Dark rock formations, clear blue water, and the distant mountains create a landscape that's uniquely Kaikōura. It's a place where it's worth slowing down and simply taking in the view for a while.
As photographers, we're often focused on finding subjects, but locations like this remind me that sometimes the landscape itself is enough.
Fur Seals at Ōhau Point
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the seal colony at Ōhau Point.
There were seals scattered across the rocks, some stretched out enjoying the sunshine while others kept a close eye on what was happening around them. One particular seal seemed determined to steal the show. As I watched, it lifted its head and let out a loud call, giving me the opportunity to capture one of my favourite images from the trip. Moments like that are impossible to plan for, which is one of the reasons I enjoy wildlife photography so much. You can spend ages waiting for something to happen, and then suddenly everything comes together in a fraction of a second.
The colony was busy with activity, and it was fascinating to spend time simply observing the seals as they interacted with each other and moved across the rocks. As well as the seals, there were a number of gulls perched nearby or flying around, Ōhau Point offers a rich variety of wildlife to view and photograph.
Looking Out Over Kaikōura
After leaving the seals behind, I continued my journey to Kaikōura, and the first place I headed was the Kaikōura Lookout. It's one of those views that never gets old. Standing there and looking out across the coastline, with the ocean stretching into the distance and the Kaikōura Ranges rising behind it, it's easy to understand why so many people fall in love with this part of New Zealand. The visibility was excellent, and the mountains seemed to go on forever.
For landscape photographers, it doesn't get much better than having coastline, farmland, native bush, and mountain ranges all within the same frame.
Oystercatchers on the Peninsula Walkway
The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway is always worth visiting if you're interested in wildlife. While exploring the area, I came across several South Island oystercatchers feeding along the shoreline. These birds are difficult to miss with their red eyes and long orange red bills. They're constantly moving, probing the ground for food and keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. I spent some time photographing them as they were perfectly positioned among the pale rocks and coastal scrub, it was my first time seeing South Island oystercatchers, and even more memorable to finally photograph them.
It's often the simple wildlife encounters that end up becoming some of my favourite photographs from a trip.
Pied Shags at South Bay
Being a long holiday weekend, Kaikōura was quite busy, so I decided to take a relaxed lunch break before the cafes became too crowded. After an enjoyable lunch, my final stop for the day was South Bay. By now the afternoon sun was getting stronger and the light was becoming less forgiving, but there was still something peaceful about South Bay that made it worth slowing down and exploring..
Several pied shags were perched in a large tree near the water, occasionally diving in search of food before returning to their lookout points. They're not always the first bird people think about photographing, but they're incredibly photogenic. Their black and white plumage stands out beautifully against the blues and greens of the sky and foliage, and they always seem to carry themselves with a certain elegance. It was a fitting way to end the day.
Final Thoughts
What I enjoy most about Kaikōura is the variety. In a single day, you can photograph dramatic coastal scenery, mountain landscapes, fur seals, shorebirds, and seabirds without travelling huge distances between locations. Every stop offers something different, and that's what keeps bringing me back. This trip produced some photographs I'm really happy with, but more importantly, it was a reminder of just how fortunate we are to have places like Kaikōura so close to home.
Whether you're carrying a camera or simply looking for a great day out, Kaikōura always delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About My Kaikōura Day Trip
Was the trip to Kaikōura worth it for photography?
Absolutely. One of the things I love about Kaikōura is the variety. In a single day, I photographed fur seals, oystercatchers, pied shags, coastal landscapes, and mountain views. There aren't many places where you can capture so many different subjects without spending hours on the road.
What was the highlight of the day?
The fur seals at Ōhau Point were definitely the standout for me. Watching them interact on the rocks and waiting for those brief moments of behaviour made for some memorable photographs. One particularly vocal seal gave me one of my favourite images from the trip.
What wildlife did I see around Kaikōura?
During this trip I photographed New Zealand fur seals, South Island oystercatchers, and pied shags. The coastline was also full of gulls and other seabirds, and there always seems to be something interesting to spot along the peninsula.
What's my favourite photography location in Kaikōura?
That's a difficult choice. For wildlife, I'd choose Ōhau Point because of the seal colony. For scenery, the Kaikōura Lookout is hard to beat. The combination of coastline, ocean and mountains creates one of the most spectacular views in New Zealand.
What camera gear did I use?
For this trip I packed my Sony A6700 along with the Sigma 18-50mm and Sony 70-350mm lenses. It turned out to be the perfect setup for a day in Kaikōura, giving me the reach I needed for seals and birdlife while still allowing me to capture the region's stunning coastal scenery and mountain views.
Can Kaikōura be done as a day trip from Marlborough?
Definitely. Kaikōura is close enough for a comfortable day trip from Marlborough, especially if you enjoy stopping along the way. Places like Kekerengū, Paparoa Point, and Ōhau Point make the journey just as rewarding as the destination.
Would I visit again?
Without hesitation.
Every visit to Kaikōura feels a little different. The wildlife is constantly changing, the light is never the same twice, and there always seems to be another photograph waiting around the next bend in the road. It's one of those places that keeps drawing me back with a camera in hand.