Cape Foulwind to Hokitika

Seal Colony (if you look really hard, there are a couple of seals in the shot)

John got very excited today - rated it one of the best days ever.  Rain disappeared overnight. Drove back to Tauranga Bay where the waves were still rolling in, despite the calm weather, and went on a walk to the Seal Colony, Lighthouse and back. The Seal Colony is just a short walk from the Bay and is a popular tourist spot. The seals are New Zealand fur seals which were almost wiped out by Maoris and settlers but are now making a come back. At first it was hard to spot them, they are so well camouflaged against the rocks, but gradually the eye learns to pick them out. Only cows and calves are there at this time of year; the bulls, having done their bit, have disappeared off to sea.

Looking back to Cape Foulwind

Weka

From the Seal Colony, the walk continued along the cliffs to the Cape Foulwind lighthouse. The sun came out, the views were terrific and the rolling waves were splendid. John was in photographer heaven. Saw several wekas close to the path. This is one of New Zealand's flightless birds, a bit like a kiwi but, unlike the kiwi, not rare and not reclusive. They've even learned to scavenge in picnic sites. Rated this best equal walk with Mahinepua.

West Coast scenery

After an ice-cream in the car park, we badeTauranga Bay a reluctant farewell and set off south, down the West Coast. Lonely Planet rates this drive as one of the 10 most scenic drives and it is indeed splendid. The sea is a beautiful turquoise and the rollers tumble into a series of  magical sandy bays,  peppered with offshore stacks and rocks. More potographer heaven but not enough stopping opportunities.

Pancake Rocks

Our next stop was Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks. These curious limestone rocks have been formed in layers that look like stacks of pancakes - hence the name. In between the stacks there are several blowholes, coves and cliff arches, making fascinating viewing as the sea surges in between and steams up the blow holes.

Pancake Rocks Blowhole

Cameron Beach

From Punakaiki we continued down this beautiful coast, past Greymouth, where we didn't linger. Made a brief stop at Camerons, where we sat on the driftwood littered  beach watching the surf and looking out for, but not seeing any, little blue penguins.

Hokitika

Reached our destination, Hokitika, a quaint, sleepy little town that had been a bustling port in days gone by when gold fever hit the area and when trading with Australia was easier than with the east coast of New Zealand, the mountains being such a barrier. Took a wander round the town, before dining in the Cafe de Paris.