Free day to,explore the peninsula we left the little Lowe's in bed and set off to Allan's Bay Beach a drive up and over the hills 10 mins alomg Hoopers Inlet and to a small,parking area then a 5 min walk to,the beach. 

Its a beautiful white sandy beac with crystal clear water. We head to,the right to the estuary where we find a large Sea Lion basking in the sun across the other side of the estuary. 
I was a little disappointed has had seen photos of the large creatures just lay on the beaches. 

the Inlet is very shallow with lots of wading birds. We see 
 OysterCatchers, 
 all black OysterCatchers
 Herons
Black Swans
Pied Stilt
Royal Spoonbill
Spur Winged Plover
Australian Harrier

After lunch Becky joins us for a drive out to Sandfly Bay. We park about a 25 min walk away through dunes and farm,land. You can park closer we just thw wrong road! 
 
The beach is a large sweeping bay white sand with raging waves thendaynwe visited. 
 
We walk to the left and almost immediately treated to find a sleeping New Zealand Hooker Sea Lion, only found in NZ and one of the rarest species in the world. He just lay sleeping as we walked past and stopped to take photos. 


 Further up we found another sleeping Lion who woke and slumbered up the beach before collapsing again and settling off for a snooze with his sandy face. 

We reach the the end of the bay where we find snoozing many NZ Fur Seals with one on the sand. A couple of other people there, then just us. We keep the distance from them as advised on notice boards, sit of the sand and just watch, taking in the experience. 

The last time I was close to Seals was along the Welsh Peninsula at a point we found on the coastal path. One time I sat quiet right on the rock Pools and they swam very close to me to give me a good looking over! 

I could have sat sat here all day, sun shining, seals playing, heaven! 

On our return we find find that Tom had walked quite aWay towards Allan's Bay thinking this was where we were. We had 1.5 hrs before we needed to cook tea so bought ice creams at the local store and then drove to see the castle,  only to find you couldn't see it unless you went into,the grounds which was a bit pricey for the 10 mins we had. 

Returning Russ cooked us a lovely tea then we got our thermals out again, snacks and camera and walked down to the store for our pick up Point on the Elm Wildlife Tour. 

There was was a group of tourists already on the bus with 4 squashed seats at the back. We drove to Papanui Inlet where the quide pointed out birds in the Inlet. 

This gave me names for the birds we had seen earlier that morning. I have to say at this point I was a tad disappointed as taking photos or even just viewing the birds from squashed seats was quite impossible. I would have hoped to have at least got off and sat for 15 mins to see what we saw, 

We carry onto a farm where Elm pay to take tours of the private beaches where the Yellow Eyed Penguins and colonies of Fur Seals. 

The tour guides supply binoculars and ran coats (a few). The wi d and rain was harsh then let up as we walked down to the beach. They split the large our large group up which I was thankful for. 

We headed down down to the beach to be rewarded with one lonely penguin waddling up,the beach to the path we were on. The guide explained that he was used to seeing the tours and as long as we kept the same behaviour it didn't disturb them. We stopped observing for a while but he decided not to come uncder the gate the path he usually takes. We walk onto the beach to a massive NZ Sea Lion sleeping, even with us stood around him he didn't move! 

Whilst the guide was tellii g us all about him I just couldn't take my eyes off the sole penguin behind us! 

I was was not expecting more penguin encounters and was thrilled to find as we headed back in the dunes further down the beach to see 3 swim to shore. We walked to a hide where we observed this and 3 other Penguins in the grassy banks.

We were given quite some time as the quide fed us facts about the behaviour of the Yellow Eyed Penguins.

 I tried to take in the movement to recall. I have a terrible memory and wanted to try and keep this memory alive. 

The guide then told us it was time to go, we had to drag ourselves away but were rewarded by him telling us to walk up the bank to another hide where we could hopefully see 2 baby chicks! 

Our small group we're thrilled. In the hide the guide told us again that the Penguins nested here were used to talking as tours each night. We were lucky to find the mum and dad tending to the 2 chicks who were as large as the adults. It were fluffy brown/grey with their baby feathers still. One adult was right below us just chilling and enjoying the sun. The other was I Initially with a. Hi k. Th grooming each other. 

Special times for sure. Below on the beach another young adult came swimming ashore and we watched them congregate on the beach. 

After a while the guide then took took us back to the top of the hill to walk down the other side to the NZ Fur Sea colony. 

This was a treat to as we stood not too high above a rocky Inlet where there was a large colony with many babies. These youngsters being just 1/2 months old. 

The flatish rocky face was perfect for bringing them up and learning how to swim in the rock Pools. 

We were then taken to the Royal Albratross Centre to a free viewing area to spot any Royal Albratross and were treated as we battled against the wind to view 3/4 gliding the thermals. 

Plus plent of other birds flying lying around the headland, 
 
For these special experiences I would recommend Elm Tours but if you are a bird lover then return to,the inlets yourselves to enjoy and observe the bird life.