Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay
West Coast, New Zealand
Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay are located on the western coastline of the West Coast, southwest of Westport, New Zealand.
The seals of the Cape Foulwind Seal Colony are the main attraction here. There are also two walking tracks.
Cape Foulwind was named by Captain Cook in 1770 when he encountered particularly nasty weather. However to the contrary, the Cape is a pleasant place to visit.
Cape Foulwind was known to the Māori as Tauranga, refering to the sheltered anchorage the bay provided for voyaging canoes.
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
West Coast, New Zealand
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony is located in Tauranga Bay, at Cape Foulwind, near Westport. The Cape Foulwind Seal Colony is a seal breeding colony and seals are present year round.
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Walk
The Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Walk is an excellent walking track leading to viewing platforms overlooking the seal colony.
Interpretive panels at the platforms provide information on the activity in the colony, and the seals breeding cycle. They also showcase historical information about the sealing industry that once existed in New Zealand.
The track allows wheelchair access and is an easy 10-minute walk.
Cape Foulwind Walkway
The Cape Foulwind Walkway is a well marked walking track that follows the coastline, crossing farmland along the way.
The walkway starts at the end of the Cape Foulwind Road and finishes at the Tauranga Bay car park.
The walk is one-way so you will need to arrange transport at the track end, or return along the same walkway.
» West Coast Regional Information
