Kaikoura Coast

By Jen.

We now had a choice in heading southwards: inland through Molesworth Station or along the coast via Kaikoura. We decided to save Molesworth until we had our DOC Vehicle Pass and instead go down the coast.



Kaikoura is known for its wildlife. Off the coast, whales often visit, with a permanent sperm whale population. On the coast, birds and fur seals nest. When we arrived at the car park, we found a seal enjoying the sun.

Apparently you have to check under and around your vehicle before driving off.

There were lots of seals along their rugged coastline.

A juvenile red-billed gull.

While checking under the vehicle, Jonathan noticed an rear axle leak. So, that night he took it apart and put it back together while trying to avoid sandflies. Really, without him, I would be spending lots more money getting things fixed.

The next day, we drove down the coast past earthquake-affected cliffs and road work. This road had been closed for a year and had just reopened last month (Dec 2017) after the 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes. You could see the effects of the landslides in the area. Many sections of the road are still just one-lane as they work to clear the rubble and repair road and railway.

We decided to walk to Haumuri Bluff.

Along the path, there was a hollow in the bushes with flowers surrounding the opening, which led to two graves. Must have been a camp here during the building of the railway, or perhaps whalers?

This noisy insect is similar to a cicada in the noise it makes.

There used to be an archway between those two landmasses. But a 2007 earthquake demolished the arch.

There was a derailed train along the breakwater. Not sure it is was dumped there or if it derailed there.

NZ has a sea snail that is endemic to its waters. This snail, called pāua, creates its own beautiful shell. We found several shells on the rocky beaches there.