South Bay Whaling Station, Kaikoura, New Zealand. - Preserved Architectural Remnants and Ruins on Waymarking.com

The small enclosure here just to the south of the modern port and marina at South Bay, Kaikoura, contain the only remaining visible signs of what was a major industry in the area for much of the 19th century.

The adjacent information board tells the story:

           SHORE BASED WHALING 1843 - 1922.

          The Kaikoura whaling industry
          began at Waiopuka on the north
          side of the Kaikoura peninsula in
          1842-43. On the southern side of
          the peninsula, Wade and
          Fitzgerald began whaling here at
          Moa Point (Te Hiku o te Waeroa)
          in 1844. The whaling station
          passed through several owners
          and stages of development; the
          oar-powered longboats, hand-held
          harpoons and trypots of the early
          days gave way to motorised
          chasers, harpoon guns and the
          whale processing factory that
          stood here. Whaling at Kaikoura
          ceased in 1922 with the closure of
          this factory.

The information board also shows some early photographs, A Right Whale caught at South Bay in 1903; A catch by J.Johnson's party, and two views of the whaling factory from 1917. There is also a plan of the visible ruins, the concrete Water Tank being the most visible, just to the right of the info board. Other easily visible remains are the concrete Blubber pit and Effluent Channel

For an overview of whaling around New Zealand see: Whaling history

Type: Remnant Fee: no Hours: At all times. Related URL: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   04/05/2013 AdventureTharon visited it