Out to Red Rocks to see the Seals

For some time now we have been meaning to walk beyond the city outskirts and along the rocky south-coast. Wellington's last bay before wilderness sets in, is Ohiro Bay. A few eccentrics live out here and they don’t seem to mind the constant wild winds and salt water which eats away at their funny looking houses. One guy has built his house in the shape of a light-house, another has an up-turned boat as his balcony.

The Red Rocks Coastal walk takes you from Ohiro Bay car park along the rocky shore line where the edge of Wellington meets the Cook Strait. On a good day you can clearly see the Kaikoura mountain ranges of the South Island. Today was not a good day! We pushed ourselves against the wind and cold, plus occasional icy shower. The destination was the seal colony, about 1.5 hours walk.

We thought we had missed it entirely, until we noticed one seal fast asleep only metres from us – its oily grey and brown skin was the colour of the rocks. In fact it was using a spiky rock as a pillow. Looking around, we suddenly realised there were dozens of seals everywhere – they were all lying on rocks, all well hidden because they were motionless and the same colour as rock. Each seal looked like it had just finished a hard night on the drink and wanted nothing else to do apart from recline on a nice wet rock! Luckily, some of them started to wake up and move around a bit shortly after we arrived. I captured a few lazing around and a couple even made a vague attempt at fighting! Have a look below.