Kaikōura Ziplining & Native Forest Trail | EcoZip Adventures | Shaara Deals
Five side-by-side flying-fox ziplines totalling over 2.2km through native bush on a working Kaikōura farm station, with EcoZip Adventures on Shaara Deals from $199.
Most ziplines make you go one at a time. EcoZip Adventures built theirs with twin cables specifically so you can fly side-by-side with a friend or family member, turning what's usually a solo experience into a genuinely social one, across more than 2.2km of lines through native bush on Rakanui Station, a working farm just 15 minutes south of Kaikōura township.
EcoZip describes itself as an award-winning adventure and eco-tourism destination, and the setup backs that up: five giant flying-fox ziplines ranging from 290 to 620 metres in length, strung through native-tree covered hills, verdant valleys, braided rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling farmland, with 360-degree views throughout.
Getting to the ziplines
The experience starts with a 4X4 crossing of the Kahutara River, taking in sweeping views of South Bay, home to Kaikōura's whale watching fleet, and the Kaikōura Peninsula, a site with its own place in Māori legend as where Māui placed his heel to steady himself while hauling up the North Island. Expert local guides provide commentary throughout the crossing and the zipline sequence itself.
After completing all five ziplines, a short walk through EcoZip's native regenerative forest leads back to Kaikōura township, giving you a look at the bush recovery work up close before the tour wraps up.
Conservation built into the business
EcoZip puts conservation at the centre of what they do. Native tree planting and pest eradication programmes are actively working to return the site to its untouched state, so riding the ziplines directly contributes to preserving a piece of New Zealand landscape that was once under threat. Guides share the story of how the land has changed and adapted as you walk through the regenerating bush.
Getting there
Kaikōura sits about a 2.5-hour drive from Christchurch or 2 hours from Picton, making EcoZip a workable stop on a South Island road trip rather than requiring a dedicated base in the area.
The essentials
- Deal: Kaikōura ziplining and native forest trail, 5 ziplines totalling 2.2km+
- Price: From $199
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours
- Location: Rakanui Station, Kaikōura, Canterbury (15 minutes south of Kaikōura township)
- Merchant: EcoZip Adventures
FAQs
Can I zipline alongside someone else?
Yes, EcoZip's twin cables let you fly side-by-side with a friend or family member rather than going one at a time.
How many ziplines are there and how long are they?
Five ziplines ranging from 290 to 620 metres, totalling more than 2.2km.
How far is EcoZip from Christchurch?
About a 2.5-hour drive from Christchurch, or 2 hours from Picton.
Does the tour support conservation?
Yes, EcoZip runs native tree planting and pest eradication programmes on-site, funded in part by the zipline tours themselves.
Book the Kaikōura Ziplining & Native Forest Trail on Shaara Deals at https://shaaradeals.co.nz/deal/6a82c222b41a7353b41861f3 for a side-by-side zipline adventure that helps fund the land's own conservation.
