Ohau Falls (Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand)

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Ohau Falls

Ohau Falls is a thin but pretty tall waterfall that was quite the popular spot when we were here recently in January 2010. We've been told that fur seal pups sometimes swim their way up to the falls, but we're not sure if that's a true claim or not (though website visitors have since submitted evidence that this is indeed true). In any case, this was a pleasant waterfall attraction in an area otherwise known for coastal scenery, sperm whales, and acrobatic dusky dolphins (in addition to crayfish).

When we were done with the short 10-minute or so walk to the falls, we spent some time scrambling towards the bouldery beach where there were a handful of fur seals either trying to sleep or being in protective mode as some people had gotten a bit too close to them.

However, I do have to admit that the highlight of the Kaikoura area (where this waterfall was located) was watching sperm whales doing tail slaps and dusky dolphins doing backflips. The waterfall was the perfect waterfaller's excuse to spend extra time in this area.

Directions: The car park for Ohau Falls is roughly 27km north of Kaikoura along SH1. Look for a large pullout with a signpost saying "Ohau Stream" on the inland side.

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SH1 near the Ohau Stream car park

Another look at the Ohau Falls Another look at the falls

Yet another look at the Ohau Falls Yet another look at the falls

Some guy trying to get right into the falls

Fur seal

Diving sperm whale

An acrobatic Dusky Dolphin

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L-shaped sweep of the plunge pool and the falls itself with plenty of commotion due to the amount of people here

Direct bottom up sweep of the falls with some voices in the background as the area was quite crowded when we were there

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TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

January 1, 2010

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Fur seal pups (Ohau Falls)
My husband, two little girls (4 yrs and 3 yrs) and I stopped here last weekend and were amazed to see around 50 fur seal pups frolicking in these waterfalls ...

Fur seals at Ohau falls confirmed
I have copied a web address below as proof the fur seal pups do visit the pools at the base of Ohau falls.

I was surfing the net and came across this ...

Yes, Seals Do Frequent Ohau Falls Not rated yet
Joyce and I first visited Ohau Falls late in March 2008, after reading about them in Anna & Andrew Jameson's book "Accessible Walks".

After passing ...

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