This would be my second visit to the amazing drowned karst landscape of Kawhia Harbour (see previous post in the winter of 2012). This time I went at low tide with the plan of checking out as many of the headlands as possible. Within five minutes of crossing the desert-like mudflats to reach the first limestone headland, Travis' eyes lit up when he realized the potential this place had as a bouldering mecca. He quickly eyed up some of the more obvious routes up overhangs and aretes, while I decided to spare the skin on my hands and happily photographed instead. We visited about a half dozen different headlands, each one a little different. With the endless variety of natural sculptures, we were like kids in a candy shop, or perhaps a maze.
Crossing one of the tidal inlets we found deep gooey mud. I slipped in to my knee and when I finally freed my leg my sandal remained at the bottom of the hole. It took quite a bit of effort to retrieve it. When the tide finally came in, it came in fast and we could literally watch it flood the mudflats. We headed back for the car, excited at the day's discoveries and contemplating all the ways this coast could be enjoyed. It would be a completely different place to visit at high tide. It's a magical place. All the more that hardly anyone knows it exists! Thanks to Travis.
Unfortunately PhD commitments cut my North Island trip short and I made the mad dash to Dunedin in two days. I still was very thankful that the few places I did visit were all at the top of my list and none of them disappointed.
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