Kaikōura Peninsula, Coastal peninsula in Kaikōura District, New Zealand
The Kaikōura Peninsula extends 5 kilometers into the Pacific Ocean, featuring limestone cliffs and wave-cut platforms along its perimeter.
European whaling operations started in 1842 when Robert Fyffe established the first station, continuing until 1922 when the practice ceased in the region.
The peninsula holds deep meaning in Māori tradition as the location where ancestor Māui discovered the North Island according to oral history.
Multiple walking tracks cross the peninsula, providing access points to observe marine wildlife and geological formations throughout the year.
The 2016 earthquake physically altered the peninsula's landscape by lifting the entire formation approximately two meters above its previous position.
Location: Kaikōura District
GPS coordinates: -42.42122,173.69244
Latest update: March 21, 2025 08:34
New Zealand provides photographic subjects ranging from the Southern Alps to sand beaches on both coastlines. The landscape includes thermal springs in Rotorua, glaciers like Franz Josef and Tasman, and fjords in Fiordland. Mount Cook dominates the alpine region while the Coromandel Peninsula holds beaches including Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing traverses volcanic terrain and Mount Taranaki rises above Taranaki. Coastal formations like the Moeraki Boulders, Split Apple Rock and Nugget Point demonstrate geological variety. Natural waterfalls including Purakaunui Falls and Whangarei Falls sit among native forests. Cultural sites complement the natural geography. The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata displays the film location from the Tolkien adaptation. Larnach Castle near Dunedin represents colonial architecture. Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu demonstrate geothermal activity with geysers and colored pools. Waitomo Caves contains glowworm caverns. Lake Tekapo offers clear night skies for stargazing. Viewpoints like Roy's Peak near Wanaka and Queenstown Hill sit above lake landscapes. Remote regions including Cape Reinga at the northern tip and Cape Palliser in the Wairarapa show different coastal environments. The Forgotten World Highway crosses historic mountain country on the North Island.
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