Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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3.4 km one-way | 1 hour 15 minutes one-way
Fine coastal views along this exposed coastline are complemented with a lighthouse and fur seal colony.
This is an exposed hilltop coast. Best make sure you are protected in wind and rain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Famed New Zealand poet, James K. Baxter, likened the seals to boulders on the boulders.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours For a 30 min return short walk to see the seals, start at the northern end of Tauranga Bay carpark. |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs. between Tauranga Bay and the seal colony |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Short but very nice.
Very nice.
Track and sealion colony.
Nice walk, active seals.
Excellent walk.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 25 |
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30% |
9/10 | 32 |
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38% |
8/10 | 22 |
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26% |
7/10 | 1 |
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1% |
6/10 | 3 |
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4% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 1 |
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1% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.0/5
Good track and carpark.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Seal colony walk is nice, fairly hard walk, good cafe there, clean facilities.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Peaceful walk to the lighthouse.
Keep going to reach the seal colony. Saw around 30 seals playing and sleeping on the rocks. A fun place to stop and see these lovely animals.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
We walked to the seal colony and further to the Lighthouse in Westport.
A nice 1.5 hour walk, it is free but bring water!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
It is a little place on the West Coast of the South Island.
On the Cape you have the possibility to see a wildlife seal colony. The Cape also offers a great cliff and a beautiful lighthouse you can visit.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Beautiful for me, especially the seals in the nature.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
15 minute walk along the seaside.
The question is, how did some men build this monument?
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Enjoy the track along the cliff up to a seal colony.
Lots of explanation about Maori history.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
3.0/5
Expected more seals but the walk was nice.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
See some seals from the lookout on the rocks below.
Round track to the lighhouse.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
Well maintained track, had seals as promised.
Super happy with that! Track had also very good information boards. Easy walk.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.0/5
Good track and carpark.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Seal colony walk is nice, fairly hard walk, good cafe there, clean facilities.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Peaceful walk to the lighthouse.
Keep going to reach the seal colony. Saw around 30 seals playing and sleeping on the rocks. A fun place to stop and see these lovely animals.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
We walked to the seal colony and further to the Lighthouse in Westport.
A nice 1.5 hour walk, it is free but bring water!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
It is a little place on the West Coast of the South Island.
On the Cape you have the possibility to see a wildlife seal colony. The Cape also offers a great cliff and a beautiful lighthouse you can visit.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Beautiful for me, especially the seals in the nature.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
15 minute walk along the seaside.
The question is, how did some men build this monument?
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
4.5/5
Enjoy the track along the cliff up to a seal colony.
Lots of explanation about Maori history.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
Well maintained track, had seals as promised.
Super happy with that! Track had also very good information boards. Easy walk.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.0/5
Expected more seals but the walk was nice.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
See some seals from the lookout on the rocks below.
Round track to the lighhouse.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Nice little track with cute little seals to see.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.5/5
Nice hike to see seals up close and personal!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.5/5
Beautiful landscape with cliffs and palms and seals (with babies) to observe nearby.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
4.5/5
Great to see seal pups at play this time of year.
Viewing platform quite distant however.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.0/5
Viewing area is currently under reconstruction for the seals, which was rather frustrating.
Guide books talked this up but it failed to live up expectations - as others have said there are better seal colonies around. There were a good array of seals, even at this time of year, and the scenery was pleasant. The lighthouse was good and was easy access from the other end of the trail, so the full walk didn't need to be done. The "very good" cafe at the seal colony end was shut for winter.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
3.0/5
I think seal viewing near Kaikoura is better, Kaikoura you'll see lots more seals and closer then this one.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.5/5
Gives you a perfect view over Tasman Sea, a sea colony,
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
5.0/5
Nice walk, active seals.
Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in November 2012
4.0/5
Track and sealion colony.
All tracks well marked.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
4.5/5
Easy parking, well signed, plenty of information.
Well maintained paths with excellent viewing points. Lovely beaches nearby.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
5.0/5
Great walk and saw lots of seals.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
4.0/5
Perfect spot to camp free at the ocean side and we could not find any restrictions that would not have been allowed to.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
4.5/5
Worth the drive out of Westport to view the seals and their pups on the rocks.
Well maintained path across the headland makes for a pleasant excursion.
Reviewed over 12 years ago