Cape Foulwind

Cape Foulwind, near Westport in the South Island of New Zealand, is a popular tourist destination with its unique coastline, beaches and the Lighthouse and Seal Colony walkway.

It is an area with a rich history.  Māori knew the Cape as Tauranga which refers to the sheltered anchorage the bay provided for voyaging canoes (waka). It was used as a resting place as they travelled the coastal areas by foot and by sea. Abel Tasman sighted the Cape on 14 December 1642 and named it Rocky point. In 1770 it was named a “place of foul winds” by Captain Cook when his ship was beset by gales and wind. Major European settlement began in the 1860’s when the settlers established flax/harakeke and timber mills.

It offers many outdoor adventures including various walkways, cycle trail and a well known surf beach at Tauranga Bay, where you will find some of the best surfing on the coast.

Tauranga Bay carpark has picnic tables, great toilet facilities, and a beautiful beach to play on. It has story boards about the wildlife, history and environment. Watch out for Weka birds (native flightless Bush Hens). They are curious, always up for stealing your lunch, and not afraid of people.