Spend a day getting up close with New Zealand fur seals, visiting a century-old lighthouse and enjoying panoramic views of the South Island’s untamed coastline.
Cape Foulwind is a dramatic promontory set on the rugged west coast of the South Island. Come here to see hundreds of fur seals in their natural habitat and hike trails that traverse coastal bluffs and verdant farmland. Cape Foulwind came to prominence in 1642, when it was discovered by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Captain James Cook gave it its name in 1770 after his ship was blown offshore during extreme weather conditions.
Set off on the Cape Foulwind Walkway, which starts at a car park located north of Cape Foulwind hamlet. Walk south along the edge of tall cliffs and past rolling green meadows. Peer down huge granite headlands to sandy beaches, where the Tasman Sea crashes against the shore. Follow a detour to Cape Foulwind Lighthouse, first erected in the 1870s and rebuilt in 1926.
The 0.3-mile (0.5-kilometer) long walkway finishes at Tauranga Bay, where it connects with the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Walk. Go to a viewing deck and observe large numbers of New Zealand fur seals (kekeno in Māori) frolicking in the sea and basking on the rocks. The seals are here year-round, although the largest numbers are visible during the November to January breeding season.
Bring food and have lunch at the picnic tables situated overlooking Tauranga Bay. Find interpretive panels that give details about the seals, New Zealand’s former sealing trade and historic sea expeditions. Look for the replica of an ancient navigational tool, which honors the arrival of Abel Tasman. See other wildlife, such as dolphins and the flightless weka birds, and spot surfers in the rolling waves.
Cape Foulwind is a 15-minute drive from the town of Westport, in the north of the West Coast region. Free parking is available at the start of both the Cape Foulwind Walkway and Tauranga Bay Sea Colony Walk.
Allow about 2 hours to complete the return journey on the Cape Foulwind Walkway.
