{"id":567,"date":"2026-02-04T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/?p=567"},"modified":"2026-04-02T17:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T23:27:10","slug":"2026-day-13-haast-and-jackson-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/2026\/02\/04\/2026-day-13-haast-and-jackson-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Day 13 Haast and Jackson Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">February 4, 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"766\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13-1024x766.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-586\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13-1024x766.png 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13-300x225.png 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13-768x575.png 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13-1200x898.png 1200w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NZ_2026_Day_13.png 1264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Map: Day 13<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We woke up to a spectacular day with clear blue skies. We took a day trip south to Jackson Bay, which is a very remote area off of the West Coast and as far south as the road goes in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our first stop was the Hapuka Estuary Walk that was just a mile down the road from our motel. It was a short loop walk on boardwalks through a wetlands area, followed by a stroll through the rain forest, with bellbirds singing. We were there during low tide, and the estuary was a big muddy flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-572\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_203858751-90-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hapuka Estuary at low tide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1177485299?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"840\" height=\"476\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hapuka Estuary forest with bellbirds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The next stop was at the Arawhata River Bridge viewpoint. The river was a lovely shade of blue, and some side channels were so still that my camera was able to capture some nice reflections in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-571\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212252768-70-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Arawhata River Bridge view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_212616116-70-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Reflection at the bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the road in Jackson Bay we took the Wharekai Te Kau Walk to Ocean Beach. This was an easy walk through rain forest that followed a stream leading to the ocean. The \"beach\" here was just a cove, but the view was very nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-577\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_221324776-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ocean Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-578\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_222032296-70-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rain forest on the Wharekai Te Kau Walk <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-580\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_223017316-70-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View of Jackson Bay fron the Wharekai Te Kau trail head<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in Jackson Bay we had a fish and chips lunch at the Cray Pot restaurant with outdoor seating and a beautiful view of the bay. The fish special of the day was orange roughy, and it was very good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-1024x576.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-581\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_231025355-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fish and chips at the Cray Pot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-582\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_234124425-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Cray Pot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After lunch we walked down to the wharf and admired the views. The day was so clear that I was able to see snow-capped Mount Cook in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-592\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235412493-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View from the wharf at Jackson Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-594\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235525405-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mount Cook in the distance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-596\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260203_235756648-70-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Cray Pot view from the wharf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We started the drive back and stopped at Neil's Beach. This was a long rocky beach with lots of drift wood. We had that section of the beach all to ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1177486179?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"840\" height=\"476\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Neil's Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We took a side road that headed inland and walked a short trail to Ellery Lake. This was another easy walk through the rain forest. The trail followed Ellery Creek to the lake. The lake was another peaceful spot: we encountered only one other couple along the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-597\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_012720208-50-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ellery Lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-598\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_015548858-50-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ellery Creek with reflections<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the return drive back to the motel, we stopped again at the Hapuka Estuary Walk where it was now high tide. The muddy flat had turned into a lake. I took a photo at the same spot to compare it to what it looked like in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-575\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024247353-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hapuka Estuary at high tide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-599\" srcset=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PXL_20260204_024201332-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hapuka Estuary boardwalk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February 4, 2026 We woke up to a spectacular day with clear blue skies. We took a day trip south to Jackson Bay, which is a very remote area off of the West Coast and as far south as the road goes in this area. Our first stop was the Hapuka Estuary Walk that was &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/2026\/02\/04\/2026-day-13-haast-and-jackson-bay\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"2026 Day 13 Haast and Jackson Bay\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-4","category-new-zealand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=567"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1796,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567\/revisions\/1796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sjs.sputs.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}