3/21/2010 @ 10:00

3/21/2010

Wellington, NZ
Level 28,The Majestic Centre
Wellington,

as suggested by james...cheers james 4km each way -- 2-3 hours return walk This trail follows the dramatic volcanic coast from the quarry at Owhiro bay to Sinclair Head, with its colony of New Zealand fur seals, which are most numerous from May to October. On the rugged south coast of Wellington, a 30 to 40 minute coastal walk leads from Owhiro Bay to the Red Rocks (Pari-whero) - an area of national significance with fascinating geology and Maori history. The Red Rocks are ancient pillow lava formed 200 million years ago by undersea volcanic eruptions. Small amounts of iron oxides give the rocks their distinctive colouring. Maori folklore tells two stories relating to the colour of the rocks. In one, Kupe - the famous Polynesian explorer - was gathering paua (shellfish) here when one clamped his hand. He bled and stained the rocks red. In the other story, the red is the blood of Kupe's daughters. Fearing for their father's safety on a long voyage, they gashed themselves in grief over his absence.