Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
high cliffs on the eastern side of Flea Bay. If you're very lucky you may see Hector's dol-
phins (one of the world's rarest and smallest) in the waters below.
The track heads southeast to the tip of the headland, rounds it, and then heads northeast to
the gully above Island Nook. The remarkable transitions of the tramp now become apparent:
one moment there are sheep paddocks, the next ancient forest and then, suddenly, cliffs that
seem to form the edge of the world - indeed, the next landfall across the Pacific is South
America.
From Island Nook the track sidles along the cliffs to
Redcliffe Point
, stained by iron ox-
ide. The track heads northeast and crosses a stream before dropping to
Seal Cove
, about
two hours from Flea Bay. The 'Gull and Shag Shelter' here is a good lunch stop with a fant-
astic view of the great cliff formations and a soundtrack of squealing seabirds and barking
fur seals, blubbering around the rocks or curled up asleep in the cave.
It is quite a steep climb out of Seal Cove to the intersecting ridge between the cave and
Stony Bay. From the top of the ridge there are great views across to Pompeys Pillar, on the
northern side of Otanerito Bay.
The track passes the
Sooty Shearwater Conservation Project
, protected by a predator-
proof fence. This is the last mainland colony of muttonbirds (or titi, as they are known in
Maori) in Canterbury; an interpretive display tells the story of this reserve. The track contin-
ues past the colony and wends its way steeply down into
Stony Bay
, through coastal scrub.
Idyllic Stony Bay Cottage boasts many welcome features, including two outdoor wood-
heated baths, a swing, fresh produce, good hosts and the odd penguin nest. It's a very spe-
cial spot to spend a night.
Day 3: Stony Bay to Otanerito Farmhouse
2-3 HOURS, 6KM
This is a short day's tramp, but it does involve rounding three prominent headlands on an
undulating track.
Immediately after leaving Stony Bay you begin climbing a zigzagging track to avoid the
penguin burrows below. The track then sidles southeast to the tip of the headland, rounds it,
and then heads down in a northeasterly direction to the stream that empties into Blind Bay.
It repeats this pattern to drop into Sleepy Bay. Where the vehicle track meets the stream it
is worthwhile following it upstream for two minutes to view the waterfall.
