The Rainbow Ride

55km boogie down the coast to Purakaunui Bay. Started off with a slight sleep in. We’d tossed around the idea of cycling out to Roaring Bay before dawn to see the Yellow-Eyed Penguins but alas the rain hitting the roof of our sweet cabin encouraged us to stay warm and cozy. Instead we enjoyed some final cat cuddles before making the 18km in-and-out route to Nugget Bay. Beautiful coastline with stretching sand beaches on one side and farms that petered out to wild bush on the other.

We journeyed down into Roaring Bay to see if we could find any straggler penguins but found only a stunning horseshoe bay with waves crashing in their namesake. A final climb to Nugget Point was made easier by the encouraging honks of a group of South Americans passing in a Swift. Our walk to the lighthouse was scenic, remarkable rock formations, calling seagulls, and keens of baby fur seals in their nurseries below. I especially enjoyed the stone circle jutting out in the sea.

Treated ourself to chips and a coffee at the quaint Point Bar and Cafe before hopping over the hill to Owaka. Lambing season is in full swing, lots of babies to ogle over and, sadly, a few mummas and their little ones who didn’t survive the journey. Our ride into the bay took us 8km along a gravel road with lots of kereru and Tūī to light the way. Tonight we sleep to the sound of the waves with (hopefully) no more rain.Read more