Hundreds of thousands of people from all around the world visit New Zealand's South Island each year.
Most are drawn to it by its incredibly diverse landscapes and the minimal amount of travel time involved.
Most international tourists will either start their exploration of the South Island in Christchurch or Nelson.
Kaikoura, which is situated around 180km north east of Christchurch and 240km south east of Nelson, is a must-see on every holidaymaker's itinerary.
Kaikoura has an abundance of marine life and is famous for whale watching, swimming with dolphins and admiring seals.
The actual town has a strikingly picturesque setting which includes the close-by Southern Alps.
Tourist numbers are understandably high because of the town's constant appeal.
Most people that visit Kaikoura and other parts of the island tend to arrive during winter.
This is when the sheer beauty of the surrounding landscapes really stands to shine.
Because of the reasonably low temperatures, many people like to stay in luxury lodges or bed and breakfasts to ensure maximum comfort and warmth.
They are very popular in Kaikoura and other parts of the island.
Many of these accommodation establishments offer scintillating views of the Southern Alps and the ocean.
It only takes around 2 hours from any point of this island to get to the coastline.
This in itself makes South Island a desirable treasure.
Because of the popularity of lodges and bed and breakfasts in Kaikoura, it will pay to book early.
At the same time, you may also like to book activities that you are interested in.
Having plans in place can make for quite an exciting and smooth holiday.