ACTIVITIES - WALKWAYS and TRAMPING

A Guide to The Peninsula Walkways.

Kaikoura Peninsula & Mountains

About 180,000 years ago, periods of rapid uplift raised the layers of limestone and siltstone laid down on the sea-bed about 60 million years before to form the twisted and weathered outcrops that make up the Kaikoura peninsula. Once an island, the peninsula has now been joined to the mainland by steep plains created by debris swept from the mountains by the Hapuka and Kowhai rivers.

Evidence of the uplifts can be seen in the folding of the spectacular limestone formations exposed to the weather as a result of the sea eroding away the softer siltstone. Just offshore from Kaikoura is a part of the Hikurangi Trench system known as the Kaikoura Canyon. The upwelling of nutrient rich waters from these deep trenches attracts wildlife of all kinds to the area, ranging in size from plankton to the whales Kaikoura is famous for.

A walk around the Peninsula can be a rewarding adventure for anyone and an ideal family outing!

ACCESS
Access to the Walkway system is from the Point Kean car park, about 5 Km from the town centre or the picnic area at South Bay. The only public transport available to the area is by taxi. The Walkway, that traverses both public and private land, is not a formed track so is classed as a route. It is clearly marked by Department of Conservation guide poles across farmland. For the coastal section just follow the well worn paths around the bays. There many information points along the way to point out interesting features. The Walkways are suitable for all ages and a great way to see the diverse range of wildlife, geology and history of the area. Walks range from a few minutes to a full day. There are toilets at Armers Bay and the South Bay picnic area. Take a drink in warm weather as there is no fresh water along the way. Sound footwear and a wind jacket are recommended.

HISTORY
In the 1850's a grave containing the skeleton of a man holding a Moa egg and an adze was found. The egg is the largest whole Moa egg ever discovered. A Moa egg replica can be seen in Fyffe House. With the decline of the Moas the need for gardening became more important so settlements became more permanent. The peninsula hilltops provided ideal sites Kumara beds and to build lookouts and fortifications in case of attack. At least fifteen pa sites were established on the peninsula with most only occupied for short periods during which some fierce battles took place. In 1843 Robert Fyfe, reputed to be Kaikoura's earliest European settler, established "Waiopuka", the first shore whaling station near where his house, built in 1860, still stands on it's whale bone piles and can be visited on the way to Point Kean. Other whaling stations soon followed at South Bay with the remains of one still visible near the slipway.

WILDLIFE
Kaikoura Peninsula has an abundance of wildlife, a lot of which can be seen by just wandering about while others require a lot of effort and patience. The New Zealand Fur seal is abundant around Kaikoura most of the year with a small breeding colony amongst the peninsula haul outs. The seal population here is largely transient with most of the seals being males.

They are friendly and inquisitive but they are wild animals that can and will bite if they are annoyed or harassed. Leopard and elephant seals occasionally visit the area to haul out for a rest. The same rich waters that attract the whales attract large pods of Dolphins and a few Orcas to the area, with them sometimes coming close inshore during the summer months. During spring and summer large breeding colonies of gulls and some terns cover a lot of the rock outcrops. Other birds found in the area include many varieties of Dotterels, Herons, Gannets, Oyster catchers, Penguins, Petrels, Shearwaters, and Shags or Cormorants. Most of these can be seen year round but some are migratory and travel as far away northern Asia. The Huttons Shearwater, although seen in large numbers off the reefs, comes ashore only to nest high up in the Mountains behind Kaikoura. Numerous varieties of seaweeds line the rocks and tidal pools of the bays and at low tide many shell fish, crabs and small fish can be seen in the pools. For the more adventurous, snorkeling in the bays can reveal great sights of fishlife.
The predominant native plants around the peninsula are mountain flaxs and Marlborough Daisies with a small stand of coastal bush in front of the cave in Whalers Bay

THE TRACKS

Point Kean Lookout.
From the point Kean car park a short but steepish formed track leads up the hill to a lookout point with panoramic views of the peninsula reefs or across the bay to the mountains and Kaikoura township.

Shoreline walk.
From the point Kean car park this route follows the base of the cliffs across tidal rock shelves and grass areas to South Bay. Parts of this route are impassable at high tide in some weather conditions so check the tide times. (See map) Seals, wading birds and nesting colonies can be seen in the bays and rocky points along here. There is a side track up the hill at Whalers Bay to the Whalers Bay lookout where it joins with the Clifftop walk and link tracks.

Continuing on the Shoreline walk from here the route passes spectacular limestone outcrops and sea caves to Atia Point, known locally as the Sharkstooth. Seals and breeding gulls may sometimes be encountered along here so be sure to tread carefully! Move quietly and avoid eye contact with seals. Do not try to chase them away or wave sticks at them. Once around Atia Point an exploration of the rock platform is worthwhile with brightly coloured sea anenomes to be found in the crevasses at low tide. Interesting patterns on the rock that look like comb marks are made by Limpets, a type of shellfish, grazing on algae when the tide is in. From here the route follows the foot of the cliffs to a junction with the link tracks then on to the South Bay picnic area. You can either return via the Shoreline walk, take the link track back to the Cliff top walk or Armers Bay, or continue through South Bay to the Nga Niho Pa track ending on Torquay Street. (See map)

The Link Tracks.
The Link tracks are all on privately owned land and the Department of Conservation guide poles are easy to follow across the open farmland. They link the Cliff Top walk, Whalers Bay Lookout, South Bay and Armers Bay allowing many options.
The links are ; (See map)
a. Whalers Bay Lookout to South Bay or to Ward Street and then down to Armers Bay. From Ward Street it is also possible to walk to the Kaikoura Lookout and the down Dempsey Track to Torquay Street.
b. South Bay to Ward Street with any of the above options.

South Bay - Kaikoura Route (Nga Niho Pa track)
The South Bay end of this track begins by a culvert on South Bay Parade about 1 Km from the Picnic area. The Kaikoura end of this track starts in Torquay Street between Brighton and Ramsgate Streets. A steep climb leads up to the Nga Niho Pa site. Built about 1820, this is a good example of a terrace-edge pa with complete defensive earthworks. From here the track crosses the road and descends through farm land to South Bay Parade.

Dempsey Track.
Starting in Torquay Street near Ramsgate Street, a stiff climb takes you to Scarborough Street just below the Kaikoura Lookout. The lookout provides panoramic views of the north and south coastlines, the mountains and Kaikoura Township. From here the Nga Niho Pa is about a 1/2 Km west along Scarborough Street and the link tracks about 3/4 Km east along Scarborough Street to Ward Street.

Track Times (from Point Kean car park)
Point Kean Lookout. 5 minutes.
Whalers Bay Lookout via Clifftop walk 35 minutes.
Whalers Bay via Shoreline walk 45 minutes.
South Bay using link track 1 Hour 15 minutes.
South Bay via Atia Point 2 Hours 15 minutes.
South Bay to Atia Point 30 minutes.
South Bay to Kaikoura 45 minutes

Weather.
Due to the peninsulas exposed position, weather conditions can change rapidly, especially from the south. Be prepared with a warm windproof jacket.

Tides.
High tide can restrict access to the shoreline walk at Point Kean and Atia Point. Tide information is available at the Kaikoura Visitor Centre or in the local paper.

Private land.
Sections of these walkways are on private land and only available through the generosity of the land owner. Please show him the courtesy he deserves by not disturbing stock, opening gates or dropping litter.

Restrictions.
No Vehicles, mountain bikes, firearms, dogs or other pets are allowed on the walkway system.

Toilets.
Toilets are situated at Armers Bay and South Bay picnic areas.

Food and water.
There no shops along the way so take food and drink with you, especially in hot weather.

Transport.
The only public transport to these areas is by Taxi.
Distressed wildlife.
Please report any injured or stressed wildlife to the Department of Conservation.

Further information.
If more information is required please contact the
Kaikoura Visitor Centre (Ph 03 319 5641)
or the Department of Conservation (Ph 03 319 5714)

Enjoy your walk and remember . . . .

Take nothing but photographs and memories,
leave nothing but foot prints
and ensure others can enjoy nature at it's best
as I hope you will.

A shuttle service is available to all above walks.