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The Lookout Nest

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The Lookout Nest

Kaikōura Coast, Canterbury


The Lookout Nest is located 10 minutes from Kaikōura and 2.5 hours from Christchurch in the Canterbury region.

Surrounded by kanuka trees, the pod offers breathtaking views of the Kaikōura Seaward Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean.

The curved-roof structure creates a cosy, unique cabin containing everything you need for a comfortable stay. A well equipped kitchen and lounging area have an outlook towards the mountains, while the bedroom showcases stunning ocean views. Step onto one of the two decks to take in the scenery. As you unwind in the outdoor bath, let the calming sounds of bellbirds and the gentle flow of the distant river wave over you.

For those looking to explore, take a 10 minute walk along a country road leading to a beautiful swimming hole in the Hapuku River. From here, it's the start of a lovely bush track through reserve land winding all the way to the ocean. Or discover the Kaikōura region, filled with beautiful countryside, mountain views, and coastal attractions.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

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 near Escape

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 at Escape

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

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

Alice Hazlett- 2026-02-13

20 / 20

“ It was such an amazing experience. Wonderful communication and the setting and atmosphere was first class. Thank so very much. ”

Janeen Valentine- 2026-05-27

1 / 20

“ The Lookout Nest was incredible. It was such a beautiful location, with amazing views. The place was beautifully kept and there were some wee treats left for us. ”

Grace Thomson- 2026-05-25

2 / 20

“ Beautiful, relaxing place to stay. A very comfortable property. Loved the bath. ”

Heather Lovatt- 2026-05-21

3 / 20

“ I found everything to be perfect with our stay. Janice had great communication. The location and accommodation were perfect. The Lookout Nest hosts thought of every little thing. Thank you. ”

Megan McFadden- 2026-05-13

4 / 20

“ Beautiful setting with the mountain and ocean view! Loved that we could bring our fur babies, and the chocolates, milk and toiletries were a nice bonus! ”

Jacinta Dempster- 2026-05-11

5 / 20

“ We had an amazing time staying at The Lookout Nest. We brought our two dogs with us and found that the place was amazingly fenced and suitable for dogs to run around in without having to worry. The place was amazing, comfortable, warm, and the owners had thought about every amenity that might be required by someone staying. The place was clean and very comfortable, let alone the amazing views you get to wake up to! With the drive only being 10 minutes away from town, it was also a super accessible place that wasn’t too far from Kaikōura, but you also felt like you were away from everything at the same time. It was a very peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful stay, and we were delighted we could bring our dogs with us. The Lookout Nest is a must if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Canterbury (especially with a dog!), and we are planning to visit again. ”

Rhiannon Martin- 2026-05-11

6 / 20

“ Fantastic accommodation with fabulous views and amenities. So grateful our dog was welcome and was super happy there. Communication from Janice was excellent. Definitely will be returning. ”

Vivienne Vincent- 2026-04-30

7 / 20

“ Beautiful place to stay with the bed orientated perfectly to watch the sun rise. It has everything you could need to make your stay away relaxing and enjoyable. ”

Dale Allen- 2026-04-05

8 / 20

“ Thank you for sharing your piece of paradise, beautiful location, and so thoughtfully designed "nest", everything you need. Prompt, clear communication with the host too. ”

Sharon Annett- 2026-04-03

9 / 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

10 / 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

11 / 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

12 / 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

13 / 20

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

ALIA LEILANI- 2026-02-27

14 / 20

“ Lovely place to stay. ”

Jeremy Stephenson- 2026-02-26

15 / 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

16 / 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

17 / 20

“ Very peaceful and a beautiful setting. ”

Anne Eggleston- 2026-02-23

18 / 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

19 / 20

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

Alice Hazlett- 2026-02-13

20 / 20

“ It was such an amazing experience. Wonderful communication and the setting and atmosphere was first class. Thank so very much. ”

Janeen Valentine- 2026-05-27

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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