Despite a sort of funny name, this place surprised me. Out of all the food I've eaten in New Zealand over a two month period, only this one has struck me as a place where they care about the food they make and it's presentation and I made sure to let them know. I had their interpretation of eggs benedict for a brunch time offering and it was outstanding. Two perfectly poached eggs on grilled ciabatta bread with wilted spinach and hollandaise.

www.kaikourafoodcompany.co.nz/

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Cushchine Cottage is a small, family-friendly, beautiful, self-catering rental set within an animal farm park. It's ideal as a base for all of Kaikoura's attractions (about a mile from the town centre) and includes free access to the Farm Park, and you can help out with their early morning feeding.

The cottage has two bedrooms (sleeps up to seven), an equipped kitchen, lounge with wood burner, sofas and TV, free use of a gas barbecue and fabulous views of Mt Fyffe. Towels and bedding are included, and it only costs $100-180 a night (depends on numbers and time of year).

We spent two nights in a more expensive motel, before staying an extra night in the rental cottage. We enjoyed it so much, we chose cottages for the rest of our NZ trip!

Ask them about a lovely walk to a nearby river, less than a mile away, with two huge natural swimming pools - it's a local secret!

12 Kowhai Ford Road (about 1 mile from Kaikoura town centre)
03 319 5033
www.cushchinecottage.co.nz

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A superb family-oriented farm park run by a lovely english couple. They've a wide range of farm animals (wallabies, llamas, ponies, lambs, donkeys, rabbits, ducks, horses, peacocks, chickens and chicks, guinea pigs, chinchillas... the list is practically endless!).

The aminals are super-friendly, and come right up to you. They offer free pony cart rides, and you can help bottle feed their younger animals. It's a cute, small, personal kind of place, with magnificent views of snow-topped Mt Fyffe.

We ended up there when our Whale Watch trip was cancelled and, to be honest, our kids are still talking about it, and have long forgotten the whale trip which they didn't appreciate at all (amazing when you consider the whale trip was about ten times the price!). It's not as 'flash' as another park we visited in the UK, but the hands on experience was truly memorable, and became one of the highlights of our NZ holiday. They've also got a small beautiful self-catering rental cottage - we loved the place so much, we stayed an extra night in their cottage and benefited from free access to early morning feeding and free farm park entry. The kids loved it - shame we didn't know about it before we arrived.

12 Kowhai Ford Road (about 1 mile from Kaikoura town centre and railway station)
03 319 5033
www.cushchinecottage.co.nz

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If you're desperate to see the whales and dolphins at Kaikoura, plan a few days in the area just in case. Our boat trip was called off for bad weather and the coach driver reckoned it happens about 30 per cent of the time.

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As you drive out of Kaikoura, about 5-10 minutes along the highway there's a sign for a waterfall walk. You can park in the layby, the walk only takes about ten minutes and at the end of it is a watering hole that in the winter months is often jam-packed full of baby fur seals stopping off to play. We saw about 30 of them playing in the water, which was amazing.

You can see them very close up (although remember to stay a good few metres away so you don't scare or threaten them) and best of all, it's free!

5-10km out of Kaikoura, heading north

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Because it's better watching swimmers being completely ignored by wild dolphins zipping past them in the sea, than freezing in the water while causing enough commotion to attract any passing sharks.

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The Whale Watch Company is run by a Maori sub-tribe and they have won many awards. It is not only phenomenal to see the whales in their natural envionment, but it is also hugely educational.

I saw lots of sperm whales, some killer whales and an albatross...and you are given plenty of time to observe the creatures.

Be warned though - if the weather is not right, the boats don't go out. It's safety first.

Railway Station Road, Kaikoura
www.whalewatch.co.nz

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Located a couple of minutes from the station in the heart of Kaikoura's (quiet) main street, and a stone's throw from all the shops and cafes. Friendly staff and quaintly charming (it's been converted from an old-fashioned hotel), extensive (free) video library and wonderful bbq/seating area out the back with hammocks overlooking the ocean - a wonderful place to stay.

26 West End, Kaikoura;
tel; 03 319 5141, or freephone 0800 423 574 (NZ only);
email: adelphilodge@xtra.co.nz
www.adelphilodge.co.nz

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Sonic on the Rocks in Kaikoura is the most atmospheric restaurant we have ever been to. Eating superb pizzas beside a log fire overlooking the moonlit still Pacific Ocean is an experience we'll never forget. In fact we loved everything about this wonderful town and stayed on long after we had seen the whales.

P0 Box 72
West End
Kaikoura
Phone: 03 319 6414
www.mtlyford.co.nz/SonicontheRocksRestaurantBar.htm

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As a child I always wanted to swim with dolphins. In fact, I even wrote to Jim to fix it for me. I always imagined being in a swimming pool in Disneyland swimming with dolphins. However, Dolphin Encounter in Kaikoura made my dream come true in a much more natural way. I swam with a pod of about 800 dolphins in the open waters of New Zealand. I played chase with them and sang to them. The company are very conscious of the environment and as such only allow 13 swimmers per trip, so booking in advance is a must. It was the most memorable experience of my life and better than Jim could have done.

96 Esplanade, Kaikoura; tel: +64 3 319 6777; www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura

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This company takes you out into the bay to swim with dolphins, dropping you in their path. It's deep and cold but incredible. One tip: make as much noise and commotion as you can to keep them interested.

www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura

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