Our Trip to New Zealand: Seal Coast Safari

After getting up fairly early to catch the ferry to Picton the previous day we were able to have a bit of a lie in because we were picked up from our hotel for the Seal Coast Safari.  We stopped off on Mount Victoria on the way, from where we had a great view of Wellington below us.

We had a bumpy ride along the coast during which we were shaken about a bit.

However, it was worth it to see the brown fur seals up so close.

The seals are protected from predators among these rocks and we were also a safe distance away. If you look closely you'll be able to spot a couple of seals:

Here is a short video clip of brown fur seals, although you'll see I'm not an expert camera panner

This is the lighthouse we saw from the ferry to and from Picton

We were taken back to the centre of Wellington in time for lunch.

Our Trip to New Zealand: Ferry to Picton

We stayed in Wellington for another five days after the conference had finished. On the first of those days we went to the botanic gardens after booking a few trips. I'll come back to that day later as the photos might be a bit similar to those of Zelandia.

The first of the trips we booked was a ferry crossing from Wellington on the southern tip of the North Island to Picton on the northern tip of the South Island.

This map will give you an idea of the route the ferry took. Click to get a bigger picture.

Sailing away from Wellington in the morning.

This is the spot, or very close to it, from where we would see brown fur seals the next day, and if you look carefully (click to enlarge) you can see a Jeep.

Wellington is know for being windy, but that has its advantages, hence this wind farm.

More giant windmills and also a lighthouse.  We would have a good view of the lighthouse the next day.

 

Soon we were saying 'goodbye' to the North Island.

 

By then the South Island was in sight.

 

There wasn't much seating outdoors so we sat on top of a big box in an alcove, which is why most of my pictures on the outward journey have a bit of a frame.

We grew closer to the South Island.

 

At last we were in Marlborough Sounds with breathtaking scenery.

 

Further along the sound we came across some fisheries, possibly mussels, which were very popular.

Some views looking back down the sound (it helps if you like blue and green):

Approaching Picton

We managed to find a branch of Subway and so bought our first ever subway sandwiches, one prawn salad baguette each, and a bottle of drink for our lunch. Then it was time to get back on board for the return journey.  I think we only had about 45 minutes on land because the boat was very late leaving Wellington in the morning.

We spent some of the time on the top deck where we discovered benches to sit on, but in the Cook Strait, between islands, there was a lot more wind. Up there we spotted this guide to the seabirds we might see.

Picton seemed to be a bit of a resort, with lots of sailing boats and some hotels, but it doesn't seem very large.

It got smaller and smaller . . .

. . . and further and further . . .

 . . . until you would never know it was there.

 Sailing back down Marlborough Sounds:

I am still intrigued to know whether these red/brown and grey trees are just dead or unusual species.

Further along Marlborough Sounds

For some people it seemed to be a bit of a playground.

This more barren area was near the entrance of the Sounds.

Approaching the more open waters of Cook Strait

The end of the South Island.

We were beginning to approach Wellington

We passed this pair of light houses

The outskirts of Wellington were coming into view

Somewhere behind that rock is the Hutt Valley where scenes from the Lord of the Rings were filmed.

 

Wellington in full view

 

The waterfront and main shopping area of Wellington.

Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul's dwarfed a bit by surrounding buildings, including our hotel. Once off the boat we had to catch the train and then walk up the hill to where we were staying. There were lots of lovely old colonial buildings to see on the way, more of which another time.