Read more about some common queries for Kaikoura Wilderness Experience, Puhi Peaks Station.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Contact Information
Address: 1695 Puhi Road, Kaikoura 7371
Phone: +64 27 3190089
Email: info@kaikourawilderness.co.nz
You can email us at info@kaikourawilderness.co.nz or call on +64 27 319 0089 (Please note: there is no mobile coverage in the Puhi Puhi Valley after leaving SH1). Our station is located at 1695 Puhi Puhi Road, Kaikoura 7371
We are located in the North Canterbury District, nestled in the Seaward Kaikoura Range, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, approximately 25 kilometres (16 miles) northeast of Kaikoura. The closest town is Kaikoura. Our accommodation and activity reception are located together at 1695 Puhi Puhi Road, Kaikoura 7371. You can find written directions on our contact page.
Yes, you can drive and park at all our accommodations. A 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is required to access the Run Hut. Depending on the weather, we may have to drive you to the Run Hut Accommodation in our 4WD ATVs.
Upon arrival, please enter through the main gates and drive over to our woolshed to check in. We are located at 1695 Puhi Puhi Road, Kaikoura 7371. You can find written directions to Puhi Peaks Station on our contact page.
We currently have two accommodation options available – our Log Cabin and the Run Hut, with further development underway. You can view all our accommodation options on our accommodation page. Check availability and book online here or contact us to make a booking enquiry.
Each accommodation offers unique amenities, but all have sheets/pillowcases provided (BYO Sleeping bag/towels). The log cabin features lighting, a heater, power sockets, and utilises our woolshed facilities, which include a toilet and shower, a well-equipped kitchen, dining area, lounge, outdoor BBQ, and a wood-burning stove (with wood supplied). The Run Hut is off the grid (candles and solar lights provided) and has a wood-burning pot belly stove (wood supplied) with a wet back, providing hot water. There is a flushing toilet, a shower and a well-equipped kitchen with an outdoor BBQ. Complimentary coffee and tea are available at all accommodations.
We do not have guest laundry facilities.
Yes, we do not have a shop or café on site, and all food requirements are self-catered. We offer complimentary tea and coffee. The woolshed has a fridge/freezer and food storage available for guests’ use. There is dry food storage space at the Run Hut, but there is NO fridge/freezer – chilly bins and ice packs are recommended. We have an old, non-working fridge unit outside, covered in a shaded area, which works well with ice packs.
Activities include Guided Walks, Guided Hunting, Star Gazing, Farm Tours and more. You are welcome to explore certain areas of the Station on your own. Read more about activities and pricing on our Activities Page.
Unless the weather is extremely inclement, all our experiences proceed in wet weather, and we can adjust the activities accordingly. We operate in a subalpine environment, and the weather can change quickly. Please be prepared for any weather situation by reading our recommendations on what to bring.
Not at all! You can travel to our station on the day of your activity and leave afterwards. We recommend staying the night before or after some activities, such as a full-day guided hunt, due to the start and end times of these experiences. The drive to Puhi Peaks Station takes approximately 45 minutes from Kaikoura township, and once you turn off SH1, you will drive 18 km of unsealed gravel road up the Puhi Puhi Valley. Many find it easier to stay the night and enjoy some time relaxing in our stunning location.
We are open 7 days a week for bookings, except on some public holidays and private events. We are a working station, so some scheduled farm activities take precedence. Please check availability for bookings or feel free to contact us.
Please get in touch with us to enquire about booking on closed days – we may be able to accommodate you.
You are more than welcome to just book accommodation with us – we love having people come out to relax, explore, and stay in our breathtaking environment. With little to no cell reception and no WIFI, it’s the perfect place to unwind and be immersed in nature. You never know – we might be shearing, moving livestock, checking traplines – and you would be more than welcome to tag along!
We do not recommend the walks for young children. Some of the terrain is steep, and depending on the walk, there are drop-offs, scree slopes, and creek crossings. You know your children better than we do, and whether they are capable of walking for 3-5 hours on mixed terrain. They need to always stay with the guided group and follow the formed tracks. Walk prices are per person, regardless of age.
Bookings are made in full. If you would like to discuss paying a deposit, please contact us.
Due to our livestock and native animal and bird species, we do not allow guests to bring dogs to Puhi Peaks Station.
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your self-contained vehicle. There is a charge of $30 per person. There are outdoor toilets you can use. If you wish to use the woolshed facilities (shower, toilet, kitchen, dining, lounge areas,) there is an additional charge of $50 per person. Please contact us if you are bringing a camper van as the Puhi Puhi Road may require 4WD access due to the weather/road conditions, depending on the season. There is also a DOC campground at the beginning of the Valley – bookings are made through the DOC website.
There is no cell phone reception here unless you have a One NZ Satellite mobile phone plan. Once you enter the Puhi Puhi Valley, you will lose cell reception. You will regain coverage at our top gate, but lose it again once you’ve left that area. There is no public WIFI access except by arrangement.
Yes, you can book guided hunts from half-day, full-day and multi-day experiences. We cater for all skill levels. We offer our Mt Alexander block for unguided hunting. This block requires great fitness and skill levels, as it features very steep, open terrain – a great block to “up your game” on! Find out more on the Hunting page.
Children over the age of 12 can participate in guided hunts with us. We have youth rates for children aged 12-16 years. Children under the age of 12 can accompany a parent/guardian on a hunt to learn how to find, stalk, and field dress an animal, but are unable to hold or shoot a firearm.
Yes – we offer customisable gift vouchers to suit your needs, whether for accommodation, an experience, or both! Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Given our remote location, we would appreciate it if you could take out any rubbish and recycling that you bring in. Food scraps can be left to feed our chickens or used for composting.
You will need to bring any supplies with you. Kaikoura is our closest township, with a New World Supermarket and off-licence options. There are also numerous cafes and eateries to choose from.