Timing

This is an exposed hilltop coast. Best make sure you are protected in wind and rain.

Access

From Westport head 12 km south on SH6 past the cement factory, then head right before the railway line along Lighthouse Road to the parking area and toilet.

For Tauranga Bay and the seal colony, continue along SH6 a further 4 km to Tauranga Bay. Turn right at the signpost along Coast Road to the large parking area with toilets and picnic tables.

Track

Most start from the Tauranga Bay carpark, as this is closest to the seal colony. The well-formed track skirts the headland with viewpoints over Wall Island and then the seal colony.

Continue along the metalled track climbing to the cliff top with views over the Tasman Sea. Pass the Astrolabe Viewpoint and the old quarry viewpoint to the lighthouse.

From here it is 15 minutes to the carpark, or return via the same track.

Fauna

Seals are known as pinnipeds (wing footed) because of their webbed flippers instead of paws or feet. Streamlined bodies and blubber keep them warm. Their ears and nose flaps close when diving. Their preferred diet is squid, octopus and hoki.

This is a permanent colony. Males arrive in November and December to stake out territories. This can be a battlesome affair, with huge chunks of blubber being removed from their thick skins by sharp teeth. It’s Darwin all the way.

Females who occupy their domain are theirs for the taking. The poor females have only recently given birth to last year’s pups and receive the males, who impregnate as many as possible during the breeding season. They then leave, kick back for the rest of the year and go fishing. Females then nurture their young, suckling and conducting courses in swimming. Nurseries of pups are often witnessed trying to avoid being pulverised on the rocks by the crashing breakers. Once weaned, they must then avoid being eaten by orca or sharks.

European History

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman passed here in 1642 and named it Rocky Cape.

Captain Cook gave it the welcoming name used today.

The Cape Foulwind lighthouse is 9 metres high concrete tower. It was first lit in 1876 and automated in 1926.

Feature

Famed New Zealand poet, James K. Baxter, likened the seals to boulders on the boulders.