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Kaikoura earthquake recovery brings new eco-tourism attractions

Visitors to Kaikoura flock to witness its abundant marine life, and will continue to do so as its whales, dolphins, seals and birds remain unscathed by the quake.

14th November marks one year since the 2016 earthquake in Kaikoura, a 7.8-magnitude tragedy that devastated telecommunication, roads and infrastructure in the coastal region. Since then, it has been a year of recovery for Kaikoura, which has picked itself up and even been rejuvenated by new attractions. Today it is business as usual — 90% of tourism activities, retail and hospitality at-tractions remain open at the eco-tourism hotspot, which welcomes visitors and tourists from around the world.

Visitors to Kaikoura flock to witness its abundant marine life, and will continue to do so as its whales, dolphins, seals and birds remain unscathed by the quake. On top of that, the quake has un-covered new attractions such as previously submerged coastline, sea kayak trips and a new cy-cling and pedestrian route to explore. Existing highway infrastructure keeps Kaikoura accessible, with improved road access slated to be complete by December 2017.

With recovery efforts breathing new life into the area, there’s never been a better time to visit Kai-koura.

Marine life thrives in Kaikoura
Kaikoura residents showed strength and hardiness as they banded together in the aftermath of the earthquake, but perhaps the most resilient members of Kaikoura’s community were its marine life. Its iconic whale, dolphin, seal, albatross and crayfish populations were thriving just days after the earthquake struck, populating the submarine canyon just off its coast that acts as a safe haven and feeding area for marine life.

The abundant undersea activity has put whale watching operators back in business, with tourist boats capturing abundant sightings of up to a couple of hundred marine mammals per tour. In fact, 2017 has seen some of the best marine viewing in years. A new marina will open on 14 November, and operators Whale Watch Kaikoura and Dolphin Encounter will be back to operating 100% capacity.

Kaikoura’s new landscape a draw for nature lovers
The Kaikoura earthquake has altered its landscape, creating intriguing post-quake phenomena that is now one of its key draws. Along the coast at Point Kean, the force of the earthquake lifted the seabed to reveal over a kilometre of coastline. This is a highlight for educational groups, scientists and marine life enthusiasts who can get up close to previously submerged rock formations along with Point Kean’s resident seal colony, an attraction in their own right.
The uplifted seabed has also given rise — quite literally — to a new surf break at Gooch’s Beach . The 500m strip is popular among surfers who, before the earthquake, could only catch the waves during ideal weather conditions a few times a year.

Also along the Kaikoura coast, a new attraction has bubbled up in the aptly-named Hope Springs. Ruptures on the sea bed have caused sulphur-smelling bubbles to emerge from an undersea vent. The bubbles are best viewed out on the water, so a new Hope Springs sea kayak trip by Kaikoura Kayaks is the perfect way to witness them. On these tours, there’s a good chance visitors will also catch a glimpse of dolphins, penguins and sometime whales and orca within metres of the shore-line

Increased accessibility and infrastructure
Come December, visitors will be able to access Kaikoura more quickly via the SH1 North road, a coastal highway link that connects Picton, near the tip of the South Island, to Christchurch. The route will take about 5.5 hours under normal conditions . When it reopens, some roadworks will still be underway, so travellers should allow adequate time for the journey. The current route to Kaikou-ra is via the SH1 South road from Christchurch from Friday to Monday between 7am and 7pm through to Dec 2017, and via the Inland Route 70 road at all times.

Existing roads will be improved, such as a 60km stretch of road from Clarence to Oaro that will fea-ture improved passing lanes, widened shoulders on road, new safety barriers and access points for photos. Cyclists haven’t been forgotten either, with a new shared cycle and walkway from Okiwi Bay to Mangamaunu in the pipeline. The scenic route, which will comprise a dedicated cycling lane to ensure the safety of riders, is part of the proposed Coastal Pacific Trail .

With road links up and running, hotels in Kaikoura are ready to receive guests. 80% of commercial accommodation will be open for the upcoming summer season, and travellers are advised to book them early to avoid disappointment.

The road ahead for Kaikoura
Visitors over the past 12 months have kick-started the revival of Kaikoura tourism. With summer around the corner, forward bookings have been healthy and Kaikoura looks like it will return to pre-quake visitor numbers by 2019, and possibly even exceed them. Although the earthquake was a tragedy, Kaikoura has pulled together and emerged stronger, with new attractions that are set to raise its profile as a dedicated visitor destination in the years to come.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | + Articles

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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