Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Otago > Coastal Otago > Owaka - Surat Bay Wildlife Walk

Owaka - Surat Bay Wildlife Walk

Location

From Owaka, turn off Pounawea Road onto Newhaven Road and turn right for the car park.

Description

Cross the bridge over a small creek and follow the poled route to pass through the dunes. In most conditions you will find there’s a large colony of New Zealand sea lions interacting or sleeping on the beach. This species is the world’s rarest sealion and is only now rebuilding its mainland population, after being hunted to virtual extinction over 200 years ago.

Please take care around the sea lions. Keep 10 metres distant from sleeping animals and 20 metres from those that are active. If you are in a group do not surround them. Out of sight in the dunes you’re able to observe their behaviour and how they interact: young and old, male and female.

Please note that on this beach and among nearby dunes, and in similar situations all along the Otago coastline you will encounter sleeping sea lions. In many instances they will be completely motionless and may also have attracted a considerable number of flies. They are not dead! When sea lions come ashore after a major expedition at sea they are exhausted, please don't disturb them.

Source

www.doc.govt.nz

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