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The Lookout Nest

Canterbury


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Eating and Drinking

EATING AND DRINKING

The Lookout Nest is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the single-element induction, electric frying pan and an electric Ninja Smoker Grill/Air Fryer/BBQ hybrid provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, Zephyr is a stylish, modern restaurant just 15 minutes away, offering a great wine list and delicious meals.

For another option, Graze at Koura Bay is open daily from November to the end of March. During the rest of the year, it opens from Friday to Sunday. Their menu celebrates local, seasonal ingredients with a selection of small plates, shared dishes, and generous platters designed to inspire and delight.

For a more casual option, try The Pier Hotel & Restaurant.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is New World in Kaikōura, a 10-minute drive.

Things to Do

THINGS TO DO

In a world buzzing with technology – board games, books, and cards offer a delightful escape.

Take a scenic 10-minute walk from the property along a bush track through reserve land beside the Hapuku River, leading to a beautiful swimming hole in the river.

Your hosts offer an incredible two-hour wilderness tour in their ATV Polaris, featuring a guided walk to the South Island’s largest Tōtara tree. Find out more under the 'Rates and Extras' button.

If you want to head further afield**,this stunning coastal region is home to a variety of activities, including whale watching, dolphin encounters, sea kayaking, and more.**For a thrilling experience, try the flying-fox ziplines at EcoZip Adventures, where you'll soar above acres of native bush with breathtaking views.

Your Hosts

YOUR HOSTS

Your hosts at The Lookout Nest are Janice and Kim.

Janice and Kim have lived on the property since 2021, joined by Minnie, their border collie, and Boss and Storm, their cats. They relocated to Kaikōura from Hawkes Bay and stumbled upon their first accommodation business, Manukau Lodge, on a whim. It didn't take long for them to fall in love with the lodge and the beauty of Kaikōura. Since then, they have poured their hearts and efforts into the property and have quickly become part of the welcoming local community.

Janice works part-time managing Manakau Lodge and is also a Chartered Accountant, while Kim enjoys earthmoving.

The Lookout Nest is the latest addition to their accommodation offerings. The name "The Lookout Nest" reflects its unique location—nestled among the trees on a plateau with stunning views in every direction.

TESTIMONIALS

“ Although not far from the township of Kaikoura, it felt very tranquil, with beautiful bird song and lovely views. ”

Rebecca Tunnicliffe- 2025-12-09

20 / 20

“ We had the most relaxing stay and it was so special to be able to bring our Golden Retriever with us. He had the best time. ”

Lara Morse- 2026-03-11

1 / 20

“ What a great choice! Two days full of rain, strong wind and unusual low temperature for (still) summer, but The Lookout Nest kept us warm and cosy and we couldn't have picked a better place for our stay in Kaikōura. Lovely host and heartwarming interior. Loved it a lot and would highly recommend. ”

Daniela Jahn- 2026-03-08

2 / 20

“ We had an amazing stay at The Lookout Nest. Great view, private, comfortable space, all the amenities provided, great communication with host, and they even provided a portacot for our stay. ”

Sarah Everest- 2026-03-03

3 / 20

“ Fantastic stay at The Lookout Nest, we didn’t want to leave. Great location close to Kaikoura, but really peaceful with incredible views. The space itself was really well done, everything was thought of, and the shower was great too. ”

Sarah Barham- 2026-03-02

4 / 20

“ It was great! Super clean and the hosts were lovely. ”

ALIA LEILANI- 2026-02-27

5 / 20

“ Lovely place to stay. ”

Jeremy Stephenson- 2026-02-26

6 / 20

“ The Lookout Nest exceeded our expectations. Such a cosy and beautiful, well-designed place, and the bath tub on the deck facing the mountains was the most amazing bath with wine in the evening or morning coffee. Comfortable outdoor furnishings and they even provided bath bubbles and bath salts! STUNNING!!! The deck off the bedroom faced the water and was so relaxing. The home has all the necessities for a great stay and the bed was super comfortable. Wonderful shower and towel warmers! The place is so bright and comfortable. Janice and Kim provided welcome milk and chocolates! A very nice treat and surprise. Would not hesitate to stay at the Lookout Nest again! Absolutely beautiful! ”

Heidi Brandriff- 2026-02-26

7 / 20

“ Our stay at The Lookout Nest was almost magical. This little getaway is like a hidden gem, just close enough to Kaikoura yet tucked away so you felt like you were all alone. The pod itself was perfect, a well laid out and comfortable spot, with a fully equipped kitchen and two fabulous little decks to enjoy the outdoor ambiance. Wish we had more time to stay and relax a little longer. And to top it off Janice was a super host, extremely kind and great at communicating. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get away for a while. ”

Tanya Sims- 2026-02-23

8 / 20

“ Very peaceful and a beautiful setting. ”

Anne Eggleston- 2026-02-23

9 / 20

“ We had the most amazing stay at The Lookout Nest. The views were stunning and it was such a relaxing place to stay whilst also in close proximity to Kaikoura. Janice also kindly recommended a whale watching flight, which was incredible! Highly recommend and wish we could visit again already. Thank you! ”

Amelia Palmer- 2026-02-18

10 / 20

“ Lookout Nest was magical, it was so relaxing and the perfect escape. Thanks for having us. ”

Alice Hazlett- 2026-02-13

11 / 20

“ Such a wonderful remote location, but still had all the modern amenities to make it a really comfortable stay. Wonderful panoramic views to wake up to, and such a perfect place to chill out and relax. ”

Scott Bainbridge- 2026-02-10

12 / 20

“ One of a kind spot. Felt very private even though there was a working farm nearby. We didn’t see a soul (which is what we wanted). Would definitely stay again. Hosts were fantastic, little chocolates were a nice touch, and great pantry full of staples. ”

Katya Frolova- 2026-02-09

13 / 20

“ Everything was really nice. Good communication, loved the bathtub, and how lovely the accommodation was. We would come again! ”

Virginia Wittmann- 2026-02-06

14 / 20

“ The Lookout Nest is quaint, immaculately clean and an absolute delight. Loved our two night stay. ”

Susan Mckenna- 2026-01-22

15 / 20

“ Loved staying at The Lookout Nest. Great views, great facilities, and great communication from the host. It has everything you could want and more than I was expecting. Would highly recommend and would happily stay there again in the future. ”

Luke Hardinge- 2026-01-10

16 / 20

“ Thank you for such a gorgeous place to escape to! The pod was so private, well laid out and exceptionally clean. Janice was friendly and communicative, and I cannot fault our stay in any way. We will most certainly be booking The Lookout Nest again in future. ”

Elly Bucher- 2026-01-09

17 / 20

“ The Lookout Nest was perfect. The hosts had thought of absolutely everything and then gone beyond. The kitchen was well stocked and the appliances top notch. We wanted somewhere quiet and away from crowds for new year and we couldn’t be happier with our stay. The weather didn’t play ball for us but that just showed even more so how carefully considered everything was, from the covered deck with outdoor bath to the jigsaws and things provided. This really was the perfect place to stay and we highly recommended it. ”

Allan Stevens- 2026-01-05

18 / 20

“ Private, but close enough to Kaikoura for an easy transit. I would gladly recommend The Lookout Nest if you were looking to escape and relax for a few days in a beautiful and peaceful setting. ”

Darryl May- 2025-12-16

19 / 20

“ Although not far from the township of Kaikoura, it felt very tranquil, with beautiful bird song and lovely views. ”

Rebecca Tunnicliffe- 2025-12-09

20 / 20

“ We had the most relaxing stay and it was so special to be able to bring our Golden Retriever with us. He had the best time. ”

Lara Morse- 2026-03-11

1 / 20

Scenic coastal landscape viewed through a golden tent opening, showing lush green hillside with forest line meeting turquoise ocean waters under clear blue sky

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