Owaka , Jacks Blowhole, and a Funny Dolphin!

Weather not too good this morning with rain predicted but although a little cool and the odd spit it’s not too bad for our trip out to see Jack’s Blowhole, a slightly inland blowhole best seen at high tide.    We stopped first at Owaka just down the road from our camp site.   One of it’s main attractions is the teapot house where we stopped to take photos.  A large collection of teapot themed items.

Even the dovecote was shaped like a teapot !

Jenny had a book which mentioned a “Dolphin” so we drove off to find it.   We, (Pauline and I)  assumed it was a statue of a friendly dolphin, must be like Opo perhaps.   We were a little disappointed to find that it was a device in the harbour to tie ships to !   A harbour that during it’s day could have hundreds of ships a day visiting.

The “Dolphin” (Not Swimming Much !)

Off then to Jack’s Blowhole around the coast on the point just prior to Surat Bay.   A healthy walk followed mainly uphill until we finally found ourselves at the blowhole.

Climbing up the Hill 

The blowhole is situated 200 metres inland from the sea in a 55metre deep hole and the hole is 144m long and 68m wide.   Unfortunately and unusually the weather was calm and the swell non existent, so no sign of any extreme wave action.

The Blowhole

Back down the winding track and a welcome cup of coffee at the car park at the bottom of the hill before the drive along an alternate route back to camp, stopping at Pounawea to look at an old river sailing vessel, the Portland.

fSailing Vessel “Portland”

Once again we have been amazed by the generosity and helpfulness of our hosts Kevin and Sue who opened their camp (and their home) to us, provided mushrooms, spinach and an offer of more tomatoes, set up a pump in the creek for me to clean my very dirty car and invited us inside for a beer.   This camp (Hillview) just outside Owaka on the Ahuriri Flat Road is a must visit if you are in this area.