The Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide
Blog 23 – Kaikoura
Up early and on the road. It is but a few kilometres from the Peketa Beach Holiday Park north to the town of Kaikoura. We had a 10am appointment to board the Whalewatch boat and I had something I wanted to show David before we got there.
When one heads north on route one and gets close to Kaikoura on the left is a Kaikoura winery high on the hill. It was early so we didn't stop but it is worth the ride to the winery for the view over the Kaikoura peninsula.
We motored on to Kaikoura turning onto the main road taking it through town all the way past the harbour and to the end where the road stops at the Peninsula seal colony. Large parking area and the beginning of some great walks in the area.
What you have to be aware of is the many seals who claim this land as theirs and rightfully so. During the day the seals are resting from a feeding night at sea and really do not want to be disturbed so be careful. They are a bit out of sort if you bother them. Don't get too close. And they are quick to let you know. I mean how would you enjoy someone coming into your bedroom in the middle of the night poking a camera at you?
We were early and also this time of year there was only one other person there so we could walk around relaxed without causing the seals any stress though when David went to photograph one he wasn't aware of the other under the walkway and jumped when it snorted under his feet. So the first real introduction to the Kaikoura seals.
On the way to the end of the road there is a pool of water where for the first time in ten years since I have been coming here there were dozens of baby seals enjoying the new day frolicking through the place. It looks sometimes as if they know they have an audience.
So we got in the campervan and returned to the town and to the next street north that took you to the Whalewatch building.
We ckecked in along with everyone else that would be on the boat today and went through the introduction and what to expect. It sounded as if we could expect a few sightings today as so far there had been a lot over the last month.
I enjoyed a conversation with the bus driver as we waited to leave for South Beach where they run the boats out of. We also took advantage of the cafe on site and I must say they do a good coffee...
It was on to the bus and off to the boat where we were quickly seated and the crew began prepartion for our trip. It was obvious they enjoyed their jobs and were most friendly and helpful. They are set up to provide a video of what to expect and provide you with information on the whales themselves. Fantastic work they do. Makes the ride out very pleasureable.
Within fifteen minutes the whale spotter advised us a whale was spotted on the surface and the captain headed that way. It seem they come up from great depths where they have been feeding and stay on the surface for around 45 minutes replenishing their air supply before diving back down at 500 kilometres an hour! That's what they said....can you just imagine!!!
We were very blessed this day. The whales are close near where we left South Beach and really are not bothered by our presence. We got to see three whales this day plus a raft of the variuous sea birds in the area. A local net fisherman had his boat there and the birds were enjoying the tidbits thrown overboard as he cleaned his catch. The giant albatross really caught my eye. You get a real idea how huge they are when among the other birds floating around on the surface.
So our trip was really ending in a host of pluses with the Whale Watch trip a real highlight. Thanks to all the very friendly and professional people involved. It is definately a winner not to be missed.
So now we headed north to Picton to catch a ferry back to the North Island much to our sadness but I had one more final South Island surprise and to me the one that tops them all. It is my favourite part of any journey I make to this area.
After we reached the rugged shoreline north of Kaikoura we came to the Ohau Point seal colony where we stopped for photos. You cannot get close to this colony but are looking down on them from the cliffs above.
Then but a short drive north we parked the maui at the lot across the road from the walkway to the waterfall. It is a short well created walkway by the DoC staff that winds along the rocky stream that after a 10 minute walk ends at this fabulous waterfall pool that is teeming with baby seals. When I first came here I would usually be the only one but now the words out and some days a bus or two load of people would be there. Today there was just a small amount and no one was harrassing the seals.
David began filming and I sat down on a rock near the pool. Within minutes we spotted four new arrivals climbing up the stream to be greeted by the ones already there. David was lucky enough to get that on video (see the Facebook page). Meanwhile I was watching them arrive and when I turned back around three young seal pups had crawled along the rocks to be in front of me at arms length. The photo David got looks as if we are in a seal conference. I hurriedly got up and moved as I really didn't want them in my lap. I think with the onslaught of so many people they have lost their wariness and perhaps some idiots are feeding them. I expect DoC will shortly have to put a fence up to keep the humans from bothering them. Sorry to see that as it is still a wild experience that is very special.
So we topped off our South Island adventure and were back on the road heading to Picton. We made a stop in Blenheim and then the 35 minute drive to the ferry where we checked in and prepared to board the InterIslander for Wellington. It was night when we came over so David never really got to see the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. Today the weather was fine so we could enjoy the 3 1/2 hour run across Cook Strait................and we did..........
So we found ourselves back to the downtown waterfront camping area provided by the city of Wellington. We grabbed some food and enjoyed a wonderful meal as we watched another magical New Zealand sunset . Tomorrow we head north to the Waitomo Caves to experience one of the finest adventures offered in New Zealand.
(to be continued)
check out the Facebook page photographs
Up early and on the road. It is but a few kilometres from the Peketa Beach Holiday Park north to the town of Kaikoura. We had a 10am appointment to board the Whalewatch boat and I had something I wanted to show David before we got there.
When one heads north on route one and gets close to Kaikoura on the left is a Kaikoura winery high on the hill. It was early so we didn't stop but it is worth the ride to the winery for the view over the Kaikoura peninsula.
We motored on to Kaikoura turning onto the main road taking it through town all the way past the harbour and to the end where the road stops at the Peninsula seal colony. Large parking area and the beginning of some great walks in the area.
What you have to be aware of is the many seals who claim this land as theirs and rightfully so. During the day the seals are resting from a feeding night at sea and really do not want to be disturbed so be careful. They are a bit out of sort if you bother them. Don't get too close. And they are quick to let you know. I mean how would you enjoy someone coming into your bedroom in the middle of the night poking a camera at you?
We were early and also this time of year there was only one other person there so we could walk around relaxed without causing the seals any stress though when David went to photograph one he wasn't aware of the other under the walkway and jumped when it snorted under his feet. So the first real introduction to the Kaikoura seals.
On the way to the end of the road there is a pool of water where for the first time in ten years since I have been coming here there were dozens of baby seals enjoying the new day frolicking through the place. It looks sometimes as if they know they have an audience.
So we got in the campervan and returned to the town and to the next street north that took you to the Whalewatch building.
We ckecked in along with everyone else that would be on the boat today and went through the introduction and what to expect. It sounded as if we could expect a few sightings today as so far there had been a lot over the last month.
I enjoyed a conversation with the bus driver as we waited to leave for South Beach where they run the boats out of. We also took advantage of the cafe on site and I must say they do a good coffee...
It was on to the bus and off to the boat where we were quickly seated and the crew began prepartion for our trip. It was obvious they enjoyed their jobs and were most friendly and helpful. They are set up to provide a video of what to expect and provide you with information on the whales themselves. Fantastic work they do. Makes the ride out very pleasureable.
Within fifteen minutes the whale spotter advised us a whale was spotted on the surface and the captain headed that way. It seem they come up from great depths where they have been feeding and stay on the surface for around 45 minutes replenishing their air supply before diving back down at 500 kilometres an hour! That's what they said....can you just imagine!!!
We were very blessed this day. The whales are close near where we left South Beach and really are not bothered by our presence. We got to see three whales this day plus a raft of the variuous sea birds in the area. A local net fisherman had his boat there and the birds were enjoying the tidbits thrown overboard as he cleaned his catch. The giant albatross really caught my eye. You get a real idea how huge they are when among the other birds floating around on the surface.
So our trip was really ending in a host of pluses with the Whale Watch trip a real highlight. Thanks to all the very friendly and professional people involved. It is definately a winner not to be missed.
So now we headed north to Picton to catch a ferry back to the North Island much to our sadness but I had one more final South Island surprise and to me the one that tops them all. It is my favourite part of any journey I make to this area.
After we reached the rugged shoreline north of Kaikoura we came to the Ohau Point seal colony where we stopped for photos. You cannot get close to this colony but are looking down on them from the cliffs above.
Then but a short drive north we parked the maui at the lot across the road from the walkway to the waterfall. It is a short well created walkway by the DoC staff that winds along the rocky stream that after a 10 minute walk ends at this fabulous waterfall pool that is teeming with baby seals. When I first came here I would usually be the only one but now the words out and some days a bus or two load of people would be there. Today there was just a small amount and no one was harrassing the seals.
David began filming and I sat down on a rock near the pool. Within minutes we spotted four new arrivals climbing up the stream to be greeted by the ones already there. David was lucky enough to get that on video (see the Facebook page). Meanwhile I was watching them arrive and when I turned back around three young seal pups had crawled along the rocks to be in front of me at arms length. The photo David got looks as if we are in a seal conference. I hurriedly got up and moved as I really didn't want them in my lap. I think with the onslaught of so many people they have lost their wariness and perhaps some idiots are feeding them. I expect DoC will shortly have to put a fence up to keep the humans from bothering them. Sorry to see that as it is still a wild experience that is very special.
So we topped off our South Island adventure and were back on the road heading to Picton. We made a stop in Blenheim and then the 35 minute drive to the ferry where we checked in and prepared to board the InterIslander for Wellington. It was night when we came over so David never really got to see the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. Today the weather was fine so we could enjoy the 3 1/2 hour run across Cook Strait................and we did..........
So we found ourselves back to the downtown waterfront camping area provided by the city of Wellington. We grabbed some food and enjoyed a wonderful meal as we watched another magical New Zealand sunset . Tomorrow we head north to the Waitomo Caves to experience one of the finest adventures offered in New Zealand.
(to be continued)
check out the Facebook page photographs
