Newhaven to Cannibal Bay
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
5 hr return
Description
Looking across to False Island, from
Surat Bay with a sleeping New Zealand
sea lion in the foreground
This is a good coastal walk that links Cannibal and Surat Bays; both bays are regular haul out sites for New Zealand sea lions. There are great sea views along with a sense of history
Follow the pole markers through to Surat Bay, which owes its name to the ship Surat, wrecked on the bar, New Years Day 1874. At low tide follow the beach round to aptly named False Islet and turn onto the track that cuts through the sandhills. Amongst the sand is evidence of a forest buried by wind blown sand as well as moa hunter living areas.
Getting there
From Owaka, turn off Pounawea Road onto Newhaven Road and turn right for the carpark at Newhaven.