Kaikōura Museum
A small, modern museum in the town center, showcasing Māori history, the whaling era and the major 2016 earthquake.
The museum is located inside the Civic Centre in the town center. Its exhibits include artifacts of the Ngāi Tahu Māori, tools from early whaling stations, a sperm whale skeleton, plesiosaur fossils, and a feature on the magnitude 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake of 2016, which tells the story of the seabed uplift and the town's rebuilding. Admission is about NZD 12, and it is open roughly 10:00 to 16:30. It is only a few minutes' walk from the visitor center and the seafront esplanade, and it makes a good alternative when whale-watching trips are cancelled due to weather.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- Kaikoura Whale Watch
- Swim with Dusky Dolphins (Dolphin Encounter)
- Albatross Encounter
- Kaikōura Esplanade
- Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway
- Fyffe House
- South Bay
- Kaikōura Seafood BBQ