The south of the north (island)

As we were so far round the coast to visit the Pinnacles, we decided to drive on to the southernmost tip of the North Island, Cape Palliser. Renowned for its lighthouse and seal colony, it offered us a view of unspoilt coast and seal pups playing in the surf.

The lighthouse was atop 252 steps, and the views we wouldn't say the views were necessarily worth it, but it is a pretty little lighthouse. There's no keepers here I'm afraid, but I'm guessing you wouldn't want to be here in a roaring southerly anyway!

On our way back we pulled in to spy on some of the resident seals. They didn't disappoint. But get too close and they'd let you know!