Cape Foulwind

In a country famous for its walking tracks, we have several good hikes nearby.  The walk at Cape Foulwind is the nearest and is quite well-known;  it's a favorite of visitors and tour buses.  The cape was first mapped by Abel Tasman, but named by Captain Cook in 1770 (evidently during some bad weather).  Fair or not, the name has stuck.

The walk is 3.4 km long one way,  and you can start at either end.  We have visited 4-5 times since moving here, to walk at least part of it.  This past weekend, I started at the light house, still operational.

After climbing a short hill, the walkway meanders along the top of the seaside cliffs, offering spectacular ocean views to the west, and pastures to the east.  At one point, I walked through a sheep pasture, and they did not seem especially pleased to see me.

After 50 minutes or so (depending how many photo stops one takes), you reach the fur seal colony on the south end.  At this time of year, the baby fur seals are getting bigger and have all been tagged.  They still are quite playful, and some are still nursing, and it is very fun to watch.

The very end of the track descends back down to the beach through the lush foliage of New Zealand flax. This 6-8 foot plant seems to grow everywhere and is amazing to me.  Overall, Cape Foulwind is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two;  where else can you see seals, sheep, and horses all on the same hike?  Not to mention the western weka, begging for food in the parking lot.