Rock Gardening in Kawhia Harbour

We set off from the western end of Kawhia township on a gorgeous December morning.

: Trip briefing

: Radio check

We crossed the channel – we could hear (and see!) the pounding of the giant surf on the sand bar a couple of kilo meters away. The surf picture below was taken from the middle of the harbour using a 200 mm Canon telephoto lens from the kayak.

: Setting off across the channel

: Surf on entrance of the harbour

The coastline on the other side looks like any other West coast estuary – but when you get really close to the edge of the water, you start seeing the magic of the limestome sculptures – see video:

Here are more pictures of stunning rock formation

I stopped over at an isolated island full of swans in the middle of the estuary.

: View from an island in the estuary

: Kayak ready to setoff again

View of the 15 paddlers swimming past the little island.

The paddlers

Lunch time at a gorgeous sandy beach

: Kayakers having lunch

: View from top of tree overlooking the beach

While the group was having lunch I climbed on one of the steep limestone rocks. The view from the top is breath taking:

: View of kayakers from top of a limestone roclk

: View from bottom of a limestone roclk

: View of the whole island from top of rock

Crossing the channel and hugging the coast – look at this formation which has been eroded at the hight tide mark – I wonder if it will be standing next time I go there.