Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs: whales, mountains and hot springs
Some tours leave you with photographs. But this tour leaves salt air on your skin and the warmth of hot springs in your body long after. Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs, our first two-day route, is designed exactly like this: too many powerful impressions to fit into a single day.
On the first day, the road heads north along the coast. The first stop is the Waipara wine valley, which many sommeliers call New Zealand's answer to Burgundy: similar limestone soils, a long sunny ripening season, and some of the country's finest Pinot Noir. Further along, the route passes a stretch of coastline that literally rose from the sea in 2016 during one of the most severe earthquakes ever recorded by seismologists. The day ends in Kaikōura, at the fur seal colony at Point Kean, with an overnight stay in the town.
The second morning starts early and is special: heading out into the open ocean with Whale Watch Kaikōura, a company founded in 1987 by five local Māori families who mortgaged their homes to buy their first boat. From there, the route turns inland through the mountains to the thermal springs of Hanmer Springs, where you can spend several hours in hot water after an eventful morning.
The return to Christchurch takes a different route, so over two days of travel, the same landscape never repeats itself.
Included / Not Included
Included
Not Included
- Lunches and dinners throughout the tour
- Wine tasting in Vipava, cost depends on the specific winery and is paid on-site
Tour Stops
Click a map marker to see details
Your day begins where the city itself began: at Cathedral Square, at the walls of Christchurch's Anglican Cathedral, the heart of the garden city since its founding. From here, your guide will set out with you to discover new impressions of the South Island. If you are staying at a hotel within 10 km of the city center, we will pick you up right at the entrance—just provide the address when booking.
Family winery with restaurant and sculpture garden, top of Waipara.
Historic house of the first settlers and an adjacent viewpoint with a sea seal colony at Point Keen Cape.
Year-round sperm whale watching in a deep canyon off the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two days and one night. The first day starts at 9:00, the second ends around 18:00.
On a comfortable minivan, group of 2 to 8 people.
The entire tour, both days, is personally conducted by a FunTrail guide.
Guide services, vehicle for both days, Whale Watch Kaikōura marine excursion, and entry to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.
No. The overnight format is not compatible with same-day return to the ship, so the Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs route exists only in the city guest version.
Yes, within reason. This is a private tour, and the program can be adjusted according to the guest's wishes, but the departure time for the ocean excursion with Whale Watch Kaikōura and entry to Hanmer Springs are tied to these partners' schedules and cannot be rescheduled.
Payment is made in full at the time of booking, by Visa or Mastercard through the online payment system.
Yes, our Cancellation Policy applies, see the details below.
Yes, the tour is suitable for families with children. If your child requires a car seat based on their age, please indicate this when booking, and we will prepare the necessary accommodation.
The sedan used for the tour is not equipped to transport a wheelchair. Upon request, we can discuss an individual format taking into account the necessary conditions. Please contact us in advance to discuss the details.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation: if cancelled more than 72 hours before the tour start time (New Zealand time), full refund with no penalty. Cancellation notice must be sent to FunTrail contacts
- Late cancellation: if cancelled less than 72 hours before the tour start time, 50% of the tour cost is retained, the remainder is not refunded
- No-show: if a guest does not arrive at the meeting point at the scheduled time without prior notice, no refund is issued
- Weather conditions: if weather closes one of the route attractions, such as Whale Watch Kaikōura or Hanmer Springs, FunTrail offers an equivalent replacement within the route or a partial refund for the missed segment, proportional to its share of the tour cost
- Minimum number of participants: the tour operates with a minimum of 2 people
- Refund order and timeline: refunds are processed using the same payment method used for booking, within up to 10 business days from confirmation of the refund