Getting there

Planes

Sounds Air (www.soundsair.com) links Wellington with tiny Kaikoura Airport, seven kilometres south-west of town, or larger Blenheim Airport (www.blenheim airport.co.nz) to the north. Wellington International Airport (www.wellingtonairport.co.nz) is under an hour’s flight from anywhere in the country; Christchurch (www.christchurchairport.co.nz) is another international option. Domestically, try Air New Zealand (www.airnew zealand.com); and Qantas (www.qantas.com.au) or Pacific Blue (www.flypacificblue.com.au) from Australia.

Trains

Tranz Scenic’s TranzCoastal service runs daily between Picton and Christchurch, stopping off at Kaikoura, departing from Picton at 1pm and Christchurch at 7am. The train journey is an easy-on-the-eye way to enjoy the Kaikoura coastline as it weaves between mountain and sea (www.tranzscenic.co.nz).

Automobiles

Allow well over two hours from either Picton or Christchurch; from Blenheim, just under two. Christchurch is an especially scenic route.