If you admire offbeat travel, take a day drive on Kaikoura coast to uncover its glorious hidden gems. The South Island has been renowned for its rugged and dramatic scenery of the west coast due to which many folks left out the idea of exploring its stunning eastern slice.

We found the intact coastline incredibly picturesque to get out of the car repeatedly and gust in its purest breeze.

Once you cross Pegasus bay on route 1, turn for coast to find Point Kean lookout (parking available). You can see some fur seals at the shore that come to rest on the rocks up close here.

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway (3 hours) is known for its panoramic ocean vistas, marine wildlife that is easy access from Kaikoura town centre. You can walk the peninsula at you own pace according to your fitness level.

Routes

• Kaikoura town centre to Point Kean car park (50 mins, 4.4km)
• Point Kean car park to Point Kean viewpoint (5 mins, 200m)
• Point Kean viewpoint to Whalers Bay viewpoint (25 mins, 1.5km)
• Whalers Bay viewpoint to South Bay viewpoint (20 mins, 1.1km)
• South Bay viewpoint to South Bay car park (15mins, 600m)
• South Bay to Kaikoura town centre via Scarborough Street (1 hour, 5 mins, 3.9km)

A 20 min ascend to the right of Point Kean, reveals fantastic panoramas with a backdrop of steep snowy mountains and a hidden gem known as Kaikoura Seal colony. Here you can witness huge masses of wild fur seals sunbathing together with seabirds. It is also a secret dwelling for whales, dolphins and crayfish. The best part of this location is that it can be accessed free of cost any time of the day.

The information panels along walkways explain its history, geology, wildlife and plants species that make the expanse so extraordinary.

Pause for another surprise in about half an hour at Ohau Point (31 km north of Kaikoura). A group of Black seal pups can be seen just under the bridge for the narrow pathway to a nearby waterfall. The waterfall is been permanently closed now but you can still see the seal pups really close from up the bridge.

The small township of Blenheim seems an ideal stopover for the night after a long day of coastal drive. It is also nearby Marlborough sounds as well a place to discover sophisticated vineyards the next day. The town features many atypical diners where you can relish authentic global delicacies.