Fresh crayfish

The town's name (kai = food/eat, kōura = crayfish) reflects its long history as a rich source of this local delicacy. Crayfish, a type of spiny lobster, is caught daily by local fishers in the bountiful waters off the coast. You can find it on the menu at many local restaurants and cafés throughout the town.

For a classic Kaikōura experience, look for the food caravans and shacks set up along the coast, particularly on the road north of the town centre. Here, you can enjoy freshly cooked crayfish, often grilled with garlic butter, at a picnic table with a stunning ocean view. It's a simple, rustic, and quintessential New Zealand meal.

Allow 1-2 hours for Fresh crayfish, plus drive time from wherever you spend the night before. Distances in Kaikōura look short on a map, but winding roads, roadworks and campervan speeds stretch them, so build this stop around an unhurried day rather than squeezing it between long drives. Best time to go: Crayfish is generally available year-round, though availability can fluctuate with fishing conditions. Check road conditions and seasonal ferry timetables before you lock in dates. It suits travellers who want to slow down and see Kaikōura properly rather than tick it off. Send your plan to an Acrossnz advisor and we'll check the timing works.