Today I headed to the National Kiwi Centre, the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, and a Seal colony. Not a bad day for it and an easy drive up the coast. Tonight I have stopped in Nelson and am spending the night at a backpackers. 

The National Kiwi Centre is more than just Kiwi's. There are fish, frogs, a lake for catching crayfish, and the second most popular attraction, eels. The eels are in a large tank where they can swim around, eat, and relax. All of the 40 eels are females. I got to see the feeding of them. These eels are quite receptive to it, but I would not trust myself with them in the wild. Since eels are blind any loud movement in the water is though to be prey and they will attack. The most popular attraction is the kiwi house. In there the kiwi's are in the dark because they are nocturnal creatures. Hard to see in there, but I managed to see one of the Kiwi's active. A little bigger than a chicken the kiwi does not fly, but runs around on the ground looking for food. Very cool indeed. No photography is allowed inside.

The grandma. Notice the curve in her back. That is from old age and not being in the wild to breed.

After I drove up the coast to the Pancake Rocks. Carved out over time by wind and water the rocks resemble stacks of pancakes. Under these are caves and openings that allow water to be blown up and out when the tide is right. The blows can be small or very large. I was lucky to see them at the tide and some of the blows were magnificent. There is even a hole where just air comes out very loud. Another attraction here is a cave just down the road. Not very big, but still cool. I only had my phone's light so I could not see the further back I went. I'm not sure if the cave kept going once it got quite low to the ground. 

A Weka

After the Pancake Rocks I decided to find a Seal Colony I had seen posted. When I found it the walk to the seals was short and easy, but the weather had changed and rain was starting. Still the seals were awesome and enjoying the weather. They were lying on the rocks and in the water playing around. 

Seals surround the water in the middle of the picture. Hard to see them as they blend in very well. 

A few more pictures from Hokitika and the drive. 

For the day I drove 394.3km (245miles) bringing my four day total to 2020.5km (1255.5miles). I head to the North Island tomorrow so come back to see more on the travel up New Zealand.