Day 40 - Kaikoura to Kaiapoi

Tuesday 31st January 2012            Route Map

Fine morning with a few clouds forming.  Packed and left Admiral Lodge at 09.30.

Looking down on Kiakoura for last time in morning sunshine.

Drove to the viewpoint for one last time before leaving Kiakoura. Sandra drove so JB could take photos.

Along the side of the SH1 near Peketa

 Stopped on the SH1 (State Highway) to take photos at Pinnacle Rock and Raramai Tunnel.

We watched a huge truck emerge from the Raramai Tunnel with only inches to spare.

Between Goose Bay and Oaro we spotted pods of Dolphins diving up and down in the water not far off shore. We were looking at Spyglass Point and Haumuri Bluffs (where we did the quad biking) when JB spotted the dolphins.

Continued on the SH1 and stopped for a coffee at a fuel station coffee shop at Parnassus. Just past Spotswood we parked up at the very pretty St Annes Lagoon which was partly covered in 'Fairy Moss' giving it a pink glow.

It would have made a beautiful picnic spot except it was not yet lunch time and we had just had coffee. 

Mata Kopae or St.Annes Lagoon

So we had a short stroll along the side of the lake and spotted lots of what appeared to be Black Swans and hundreds of smaller black and white birds along the edge of the lagoon. The place was alive with many different birds and we discovered as we drove out that is was a Bird Sanctuary.

Sandra by the beautiful St.Anne's Lagoon Reserve

Drove through Cheviot, which seemed a nice little town and turned off onto a tourist route to Gore Bay where we saw the Cathedral Cliffs and some Alpacas..

Gore Bay

 

Looking down on Gore Bay from Cathedral Clifts



The magnificent Cathedral Clifts



Well worth the detour from the SH1

'The Cathedrals' are dramatic examples of bad land erosion where siltstone cliffs have weatherd into huge stalagmite-like fingers that resemble the pipes of a cathedral organ.



JB then spotted these Alpacas which are smaller than Llamas and are bred for their wool.

On through Port Robinson and back onto the SH1 and Greta Valley to Waipara where we turned off towards the coast to get to 90 metre high cliffs but only got as far as Kate Valley Landfill. This place was surrounded by CCTV which made us suspect the waste being dumped was of a sensitive nature but discovered later that it is a new super huge landfill for the waste of Canterbury. Did not continue to the cliffs as the road was un sealed and a bit too rough for our 'limousine' so we headed back to the SH1 when it started to rain a little.

Turned off again to get to Amberley Beach where we parked overlooking the sea and had a late lunch of bananas and bread. On again to Waikuku Beach looking for a motel. Drove through Pegasus which seemed to be a re build area to house over 7,000 residents all in new properties and very nicely laid out.

Continued to Kaiapoi just North of the Waimakariri River and about 12 miles North of Christchurch where we booked into the 'Kaiapoi on Williams Motel' . Modern and with free wifi. A  spacious studio room with double and single beds, huge walk in shower, full kitchenette, microwave, toaster and hob but no teapot! Sandra was keen to have a modern single storey unit for a quick get away should it start to shake.

Only JB and Sandra could make a three hour journey last all day!

Had a cuppa and later walked into Kaiapoi for a meal at 'The Three Cows' restaurant after which we walked along the river and back to our motel through some of the residentail side streets. Earthquake damage was evident almost everywhere. Road and drain damage, piles of what appeared to be liquid faction piled up by the river and many, many  almost new, houses with huge cracks and gaps. The house next to our motel, which belongs to the owner, also suffered damage and was shortly to be repaired.

Day 39 - Quad Biking at Farm

Monday 30th January 2012         Route Map

The morning sun was slow to appear. Sandra checked on 'Accu' weather and it was forecast to improve after 1pm

So we decided to ring Alastair at Glenstrae Farm to book us on to the 1pm quad bike adventure which was highly recommended on Trip Adviser.

Left about 11.15 and drove past South Bay to see if any of the whale watching boats had gone out. They had not and we suspected the sea was too rough.

Continued South along SH1 and stopped at Limestone Cave Cafe for a coffee after which we slowly made our way to Glenstrae Farm 27 km South of Kaikoura.

Ready for the off

Shortly after we arrived a young couple from Brisbane, Brett and Bree, joined us for the same trip.

The obligatory insurance waiver was signed and we kitted ourselves with old waterproof coats and helmets even though the sun was beginning to shine. The coats were to protect our clothes from mud, water and cow dung.

After being shown how to operate the big Honda bikes we each did a few circuits on a short test track so that we could get familiar with the bikes and for Alastair to identify who was going to be the slowest and least competent. That was JB who was struggling a bit with the weight of the steering on what was quite a big bike with no power steering.

The bikes were bigger, more powerful and heaver than the little things we rode at Hanmer. These were much more comfortable and had better suspension. After three circuits we set off with JB following Alistair, then Sandra, Bree and bringing up the rear was Brett.

We were out for 3.5 hours.

The scenery was awesome, some of the best views we had seen, from all sorts of terrain across the 1600 acre farm.



Looking North towards Kaikoura

Looking back at the tracks we had climbed



We had frequent stops for photo opportunities and unlike 'ThrillSeekers' Alastair encouraged us to take our cameras.



One of the many stops to open and close gates



Alastair was happy to take photos for us

Some of the tracks were narrow with deep ridges but nothing too much for these amazing bikes.



Racing through the creek

Raced through water at the creek where we needed to put our feet up on the mudguards to avoid getting wet. 

Looking South towards Christchurch



 

We had climbed over 900 feet above sea level





This was our drinks stop

Stopped for a cold drink with biscuits, in a sheltered spot, and chatted about Australian and Kiwi politics. By now the sun was quite hot and the conversation turned to Bunderburg Ginger Beer and how much we all loved it.



Alistair's sheep watched in awe as we whizzed past them.

The sheep were making a hell of a racket because they had recently had their lambs taken from them to go to market.

We had travelled over 20 km and it was a fantastic experience. Far better value than the previous ride we did in Hanmer. It was more challenging to ride on varying tracks, with photos stops, through such beautiful terrain.

Was it a HH? You bet it was! It was interesting, nerve racking, exciting and just what we wanted to do. Alastair lead at the pace of the slowest which was JB who felt she was holding up Brett and Bree who kept hanging back to give us a head start so they could race away for the adrenalin rush. Sandra and JB, being the seniors by a lot of years, no longer do adrenalin rushes but enjoyed it just as much. This trip was not for the feint hearted or the reckless bearing in mind that you would most likely not be insured for such an activity.

 The views on the way back to Kaikoura to the side of the SH1 were quite stunning in the afternoon sunlight.


This is where the SH1 goes under a rock

 After supper the sun was still shining and it was such a lovely evening we took a short stroll along the seafront very close to our motel for JB to take yet more photographs.



A Scottish Thistle in New Zealand? Look at the blue sky.



JB was inspired by the magical rock formations

Tomorrow we continue South towards Christchurch.

Day 38 - Ohau Point and Lavender Farm

Sunday 29th January 2012                  Route map

Sunny with a few clouds when we woke. Telephoned the whale boat company to see if any boats were going out today. The forecast was not great and we were too late for the first boat so decided instead to drive out to Ohau Point to see the pup seals.

Sandra chats to this seal who was hiding under the walkway.

Because it was high tide, we drove to Point Kean first to see the seals on and close to the car park. There were a few about so out came the camera. You will be tired of seeing seals by the end of this blog!

A fine view looking North and down on Kaikoura

From here we drove to the look out point off Scarborough Road from where we could enjoy panaromic views over  Kaikoura.

Looking South towards South Bay.

Excellent views except the clouds were beginning to form. Chatted to a couple from Aberdeenshire and then headed to 'Whaleway' and followed the coach coming back from the 07.45 whale boat trip.

There we bumped into Jan and Helen who we had met yesterday on the Peninsula Walkway. They had been on the early boat trip and had only seen one whale. They did not appear too excited about the boat trip and we were pleased we had not booked for the 09.30 trip. We realised they had no car so asked them if they would like to go with us to Ohau point to see the pup seals. They were delighted and readily jumped into the back of the car.

JB drove along the SH1 and Ohau Point was about a 25 minute drive North from Kaikoura. Ohau is famous for its seal colony which can be easily viewed from the road. We saw loads of pup seals playing in the pools and on the rocks. 

It was fantastic. The best viewing point for seals, especially pups that we had seen anywhere in New Zealand.
Although some local fisherman are alarmed by the rising seal numbers evidence seems to support the view that seals eat the kind of fish that commercial fishermen have little interest in. The seals certainly draw lots of tourist interest.

The pups were so cute playing in the rock pools

It was lovely to hear them all calling out to each other.

From there we drove a short way further North on the SH1 and found the entrance to the Ohau Stream and Waterfall walk. This is a magical place where baby seals play in safety whilst parents are away at sea hunting. At times up to 200 pups have been seen frolicking around in the waterfall pool. The pups travel from the sea along a culvert under the road and upstream to the waterfall pool and return for feeding when their parents return with food.

This is the waterfall but no pups

It is free to go here and is a must see if you are in Kaikoura. Take the Ohau Stream and Waterfall walk to get to the pools and see the cute seal pups at the Ohau Point waterfall. The five minute walk was worth doing but of course we saw no pups as they were all out at Ohau Point at this time of the year. They only go upstream between April and September. This would be a great visit for Mark and Maria if they have not already seen it.

By now it was overcast and started to rain so we headed back toward Kaikoura.

Went to the Lavendyl Lavender Farm off Postman's Road where we had a cuppa and Helen and Jan ate their sandwiches. JB bought some body moisturiser and we walked through the gardens in fine rain. The six acres of carefully landscaped gardens are well maintained and show 45 different types of lavender.

Headed back to Kaikoura and dropped Jan & Helen at the museum and we walked through the town.