11 Mar 2010

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Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk

Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk

Location: Southern end of the North Island - Wellington

Nearest Town: Wellington (8.8 Ks)

Nearest City: Wellington (8.8 Ks)

Length of tramp: 3.7 ks

Time needed: 50 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Route: Round Trip

Elevation: 1.5m

Wet Feet: No

Toilets: No

Dogs: Must be on a lead

Mobile phone coverage: Yes

Date this tramp was last walked: Sept 07

Track quality: Sand, rock and stones, 4 wheel drive track. Watch out for the cold, strong southey winds.

Shops/restaurants: Click here to see lots of great restaurants in Wellington

Petrol station: Back in town

Hazards: Seals that bite and smell

Transport: Buses run out to Owhiro Bay every day leaving you with an (1.2Ks) walk.

Water: No

Accommodation:

Book Wellington accommodation from the map below.

Driving Instructions:

The easiest way is get on to Taranaki St. Taranaki St is the last St running inland just before Te Papa Museum. That is, if you are driving along the Quay from the train station. There are nine sets of traffic lights along the way. At (1.3Ks) the 8^th set of lights, the road turns slightly to the left, drops down hill into a sharp left hander then stops at the 9^th set of lights. (2.2Ks) Turn hard right on to Adelaide Rd. Adelaide Rd follows in to The Parade at (6.5Ks) you will drive in to Island Bay. Turn Right. Drive Along the Esplanade, The coast lane must be on your left at all times. Keep to your left at Owhiro Bay Junction. At 8.8Ks your car should have fallen into a number of rather large pot holes, STOP. If you happen to be driving a 4X4 don’t stop. You can drive the (3.7Ks) unless today is Sunday, the gate will be locked??? Oh No, just as well you bought in the mountain bikes!

Camping on track: No

Track highlights: Fur Seals and lovely ocean views.

Area & Track History: The male fur seals call into the heads from May to August to try and gain condition and build up their body weight. Weighing in at an average of 160kgs, I would not get in their way.

Map of Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk :

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Accommodation near Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk:

This is a dynamic map. You can zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons, and drag the map to see surrounding areas

Detailed track description for
Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk:

Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk - Start

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There is no way you can lose your way on this walk. You will be walking, driving or mountain biking within 20m of the shore line all the way to the seals. The quarry must have been a substantial operation in is day, the locals must have complained to the council about the noise and the dust, as they do after they build their house next to the Quarry.

Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk - Point 2

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These guys have got the right setting, no rowdy neighbours. Fresh fish at the front door and the supermarket just around the corner if you can’t catch that fish for dinner. Is the batch for sale?

Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk - Point 3

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No, this spot is not 100ks from Wellington city, would you believe 10ks from down town café Wellington.

Sinclair Heads Seal Colony Walk - Point 4

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Devils Gate. If you can smell the seals, but did not see one, walk through devils gate, the seals are a dime a dozen on the other side. Be careful if this is a weekend walk for you. The 4X4 boys might not see you as they roar through devils Gate. The seals are not so scary in this colony, you can get in close with the camera, just watch where you put your feet, there could be a seal with sharp teeth waiting behind every rock. Don’t worry about being eaten by a seal; The stomach-turning smell will kill you before the seals do. If you have time up your sleeve, you can walk a further (8Ks) up the coast.

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