We all need a Savior
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
None of us can earn our way to God by being good enough. We all need mercy.
🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Kaikōura, New Zealand
Lavendyl grows more than 50 lavender varieties 7 km north of Kaikōura, close to the Mt Fyffe tracks and the seals on the Peninsula Walkway.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
🌱 What’s happening now
Updated October 17
🪻 In season now
✏️ Report outdated info
Kaikōura is a small coastal town on a peninsula where the Seaward Kaikōura Range drops almost straight to the Pacific, about 2.5 hours north of Christchurch and 2 hours south of Picton. Fur seals haul out on the rock platforms at Point Kean, red-billed gulls and Hutton's shearwaters nest along the coast, and in 2024 the district was named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Lavendyl Lavender Farm sits on Postmans Road about 7 km north of town, on the same road that leads to the Mt Fyffe car park, so a morning among its 50-plus lavenders pairs naturally with a forest walk below the mountain. The farm says bloom timing changes from year to year, but summer (December to February) is when the farm keeps its longest hours, the scent is strongest, and you may see lavender being distilled.
The lavender farms
- Lavendyl Lavender FarmLavender farm · Kaikōura
Walk-in garden visits during open hours; picnic lunches and high tea by booking 24 hours ahead; craft sessions by arrangement.
Best time to visit
Kaikōura is in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer runs December to February. Lavendyl is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from December 1 to February 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. from October 10 to November 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday to Wednesday from March 1 to June 7, and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday to Wednesday from June 8 to August 31. Bloom varies by year, so check the farm's social pages, and distilling happens during the summer harvest. The Peninsula Walkway and the museum are good in any month; the peninsula is exposed, so pick a calm day and bring a windproof layer even in summer. Long winter nights are the easiest time for stargazing in the dark sky sanctuary.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway🥾 Trail · Kaikōura · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
An 11.7 km, three-hour loop over the clifftops between Point Kean and South Bay, with views of the range, a Hutton's shearwater colony and the red-billed gulls of Bird City; Toms Track closes the loop to town. Cliff edges are unfenced, and dogs are allowed only on the town and South Bay sections.
- Point Kean seal viewing🌉 Landmark · Kaikōura · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
Fur seals rest around the Point Kean car park and on the tidal platforms below the viewpoint, 200 m from the car park. Stay at least 20 m away: males in the car park can be aggressive and females with pups are on the rocks.
- South Bay and Limestone Bay🏖️ Beach · Kaikōura · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
The southern end of the walkway, with toilets and parking at South Bay and a five-minute, 250 m stroll to the rock platforms of Limestone Bay; a good short option if you skip the full loop.
- Hinau Track🥾 Trail · Kaikōura · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
A well-formed 45-minute family loop through forest with large hinau trees, from the Mt Fyffe car park at the end of Postmans Road, about 15 km from town.
- Mt Fyffe Track🥾 Trail · Kaikōura · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
A 4WD road up the long southwest ridge to the 1,602 m summit, about eight hours return. The lookout near a fire pond, about an hour above the car park, gives the view without the full climb; bring a windbreaker. Dogs need a DOC permit.
- Fyffe-Palmer Track🥾 Trail · Kaikōura · about 5 mi, 15 min drive
A loop of about 1 hour 45 minutes from the end of Mt Fyffe Road, climbing steeply through farmland into regenerating forest in Fyffe-Palmer Scenic Reserve with views over the town and peninsula.
- Puhi Puhi Reserve🌲 Preserve · Kaikōura · about 6 mi, 15 min drive
A scenic reserve up the Puhi Puhi Valley about 12 km north of town, with a well-marked 30-minute loop walk.
- Kaikōura Museum🏛️ Museum · Kaikōura · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
In the 'craypot' building on West End, with displays on fishing and whaling, Māori taonga, village life, surfing history and the November 14, 2016, earthquake.
Daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
- Kaikōura street art🏘️ Town · Kaikōura · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
Eleven artworks around town, from a sperm whale mural on West End and Hutton's shearwaters on the West End rail bridge to a basking shark on the water tower at the town lookout off Scarborough Terrace.
- Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary🌲 Preserve · Kaikōura · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
Designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary on September 12, 2024, the third in New Zealand; the movement began partly to protect Hutton's shearwaters. Spots close to town work for a short evening look.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Slam ClubCafé or coffee shop · Kaikōura
A West End café known for gourmet toasted sandwiches and smoked meats, open Thursday to Sunday for lunch from noon and dinner from 5:30 p.m.
- Kaikōura Seafood BBQRestaurant · Kaikōura
A seafood kiosk on Fyffe Quay near the seal colony, cooking crayfish and local catch on the barbecue.
- Nin's BinRestaurant · Kaikōura
A 50-year-old family roadside stop about 20 minutes north of town, serving freshly cooked crayfish and fish and chips.
- Mt Fyffe DistilleryDistillery (21+) · Kaikōura
A family nano distillery on a farm in the Mt Fyffe foothills making Woolshed and Shearwater gins, with free tours by arrangement.
- Bee BoxHoney farm · Kaikōura
A small honey shop and espresso bar on West End for local honey and a coffee before the walk.
- Kaikōura Fine FoodsGeneral store · Kaikōura
A West End deli with local produce, useful for a picnic on the peninsula.
- Hapuku Lodge + Tree HousesInn or B&B · Kaikōura
A lodge north of town known for tree house rooms, with a restaurant cooking from its own gardens.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMLavendyl Lavender Farm
Walk the gardens and lavender rows, have tea and lavender ice cream, and browse the shop; about 1.25 hours.
- 11:30 AMHinau Track · about 10 min drive
Continue up Postmans Road to the Mt Fyffe car park for the 45-minute forest loop.
- 12:45 PMSlam Club · about 20 min drive
Lunch on West End (Thursday to Sunday from noon); on other days pick up picnic food at Kaikōura Fine Foods next door.
- 2:00 PMKaikōura Museum
A short walk along West End; an hour on the town's whaling, fishing and earthquake stories.
- 3:15 PMKaikōura Peninsula Walkway from Point Kean · about 8 min drive
See the seals around Point Kean, then walk the clifftop to Whalers Bay viewpoint and back, about 1.5 hours.
- 5:15 PMKaikōura Seafood BBQ · about 5 min drive
An early crayfish dinner on Fyffe Quay; check it is open that day.
- After darkKaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary · about 5 min drive
Step away from town lights for stargazing; in summer it gets dark late, so this suits a winter visit best.
Tips
- Keep at least 20 m from seals, including the ones lying in the Point Kean car park, and never get between a seal and the sea.
- Toilets are at Armers Beach, Point Kean and South Bay, but not on the clifftop; there are no rubbish bins up there either.
- Weather changes quickly on the peninsula and below Mt Fyffe; carry warm, windproof layers and water.
- Lavendyl's picnic lunches and high teas must be booked 24 hours ahead, and its continental breakfast the day before.
- If you visit Mt Fyffe Distillery or a tasting room, plan a designated driver for the coast road.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom in Kaikōura?
Lavendyl says bloom timing varies each year; the scent is strongest in spring and summer, and distilling happens at the summer harvest (around December to February). Check the farm's social pages for updates.
How far is the lavender farm from town?
About 7 km north, on Postmans Road, roughly 10 minutes by car.
How long is the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway?
About 11.7 km and three hours as a full loop from town; shorter sections start at the Point Kean and South Bay car parks.
Can I bring my dog on the walkway?
Only on the section from town to Point Kean (not in the car park), around South Bay, and on Toms Track; dogs are not allowed on the tidal platforms or the rest of the walkway.
Is the museum open every day?
Yes, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
Add your listing Get featured
